A Visit to Crewe Heritage Centre During Heritage Open Days

There are some places that simply tell you about a town’s history, and then there are places where you can actually step into that history and experience it for yourself. Last weekend, I visited Crewe Heritage Centre as part of Heritage Open Days and it was a lovely opportunity to discover more about the fascinating railway history that has shaped Crewe into the town it is today.

Located on Vernon Way, Crewe Heritage Centre sits on the site of the original Crewe Locomotive Works, so the location itself is an important part of the story. During Heritage Open Days. Visitors can expect to climb aboard historic locomotives, discover fascinating exhibits and stories, enjoy a great family day out together and also learn about the organisations helping to preserve Crewe’s heritage.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with local community groups and learn more about the town’s rich history and culture. There were a wide range of information stalls showcasing the work of local organisations including Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Railway Cottages, Crewe Library, Crewe Family History Society, Friends of Queen’s Park, YMCA Cheshire and ASLEF among many others.

Another great benefit is that entry is free during the Heritage Open Days, making it a fantastic opportunity to explore the centre without the usual admission charge. There is also plenty of free parking available on site, making it particularly convenient for families with young children.

So keep on reading to find out more about Crewe Heritage Centre and how my visit went.

What I Thought of Crewe Heritage Centre

Crewe has always been synonymous with the railway, but it wasn’t always the bustling railway town we know today. Before the railway arrived in 1837, the area was very different. Monks Coppenhall was a small rural settlement with fewer than 200 residents. However, the arrival of the railway transformed the area almost overnight and within just 30 years the population had grown to around 40,000.

The railway didn’t simply bring trains to Crewe but it also brought jobs, industry and a growing community. Housing, schools, churches, public baths and other facilities were developed alongside the railway works, helping to shape the town around this rapidly expanding industry. It is fascinating to think that so much of what we now recognise as Crewe developed because of the railway.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I visited Crewe Heritage Centre, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was to see and do. As my visit coincided with Heritage Open Days (19 and 20 September this year), there were plenty of additional activities taking place, including basket weaving by artist Cherry, as well as a wide range of information stalls showcasing the work of local organisations.

I particularly liked the feel of the museum as it was not like a traditional museum where you simply looked at exhibits but there was much more of a hands-on feel to it. I had the chance to get close to the locomotives, sit in the train driver’s seat and really appreciate the scale and engineering behind them.

For me, one of the highlights was simply standing next to the locomotives and taking in just how large they are. I found myself looking at all the little details and imagining what it must have been like when Crewe Works was filled with engineers and railway workers building and maintaining these incredible machines.

You can almost picture the noise, activity and steam that would once have filled the area. I also immensely enjoyed the talk about the origin of money and how the different coins were established and how paper notes started.

There is plenty to explore around the centre, including the railway collection, miniature railway, signalling demonstrations, model railways and an observation area where you can watch modern trains travelling along the railway network. I particularly enjoyed being able to see the contrast between Crewe’s historic railway past and the modern railway that continues to operate alongside it today.

Little kids also had the opportunity to enjoy a short train ride on their ‘Miniature Railway’ around the venue which I am sure was very exciting for them!

What I really took away from my visit was that Crewe Heritage Centre is about much more than trains. It tells the story of the people and communities behind the railway, the thousands of jobs it created and the engineering achievements that helped put Crewe on the map.

I would definitely recommend a visit to Crewe Heritage Centre. Whether you’re a railway enthusiast, interested in local history or simply looking for somewhere a little different to explore with the family, there is plenty to see and discover. With its fascinating exhibits, historic railway buildings and range of activities, it makes for a great day out for visitors of all ages.

What are their Opening Hours?

Open only on Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays from 10am to 4.30pm (last admission 3:30pm).
They are open on Wednesdays ONLY during the Cheshire East school holidays with FREE entry.

How much is the entry fee for Crewe Heritage Centre?

Adult (17+) £8
Consessions (65+) £7
Children (16 & Under) & Carers FREE
Do ask the counter regarding Unlimited tickets and Member tickets if you are planning for return visits.

Things to Note

• They do not have any facilities to store luggage during your visit. You must keep your bags with you at all times.
• They do not have advanced ticket booking in operation, all tickets are available to purchase on arrival at the Ticket Office.
• Under 16’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Dogs are welcomed and they can also enter the museum free of charge. They also have a number of watering stations located around the museum to help them keep hydrated. The team asks that dogs are kept on a lead whilst in the museum and are comfortable with younger children.
• Payment – The Ticket Office, Cafe and Gift Shop all accept Visa, Master Card, Maestro, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Picnic – You are more than welcome to bring your own food and drink, they have a mixture of indoor and outdoor seating for you to enjoy your lunch or a snack. They also have their own cafe serving cold food.
• Smoking and vaping is not allowed with the Heritage Centre.
• Parking – The heritage centre has two separate car parks that can be found on the approach to the museum and within the museum itself. Parking is free for all Heritage Centre visitors. Additional Pay & Display parking is available in the town at Cheshire East Council run car parks.
• Cycling – They also have dedicated cycle parking at the entrance to the museum. they are located on route 451 of the national cycle network.

About Crewe Heritage Centre

Crewe Heritage Centre is a railway museum in Crewe, Cheshire, England. Managed by the Crewe Heritage Trust, the museum is located between the railway station and the town centre; the site was the location of the original Locomotive Works, which was demolished in the early 1980s. Crewe Heritage Centre opened in 1987 as part of celebrations marking 150 years since the arrival of the first train in Crewe. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh and has continued to preserve and share the town’s railway heritage ever since.

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