Self-Guided Visits
Self-Guided Visits
Based on Platform one of Bishops Lydeard Station, the Gauge Museum tells the story of the West Somerset Railway; from its beginnings, at the hands of Brunel, to its decline and subsequent recovery, also covering themes such as the Industrial Revolution, the growth of holiday towns like Minehead and the impact of railways on the local economy.
Following major refurbishment, our museum now offers a variety of opportunities to actively engage with our collections by investigating our interactive activities and exhibits. Delve deeper into the railway’s history by exploring our photo archives through a collection of quizzes, games and activities on our huge digital touchscreen, explore life as a signaller with our working signal box, or experience the height of Victorian luxury travel by stepping aboard our lovingly restored first-class sleeping carriage.
We can offer a variety of museum trails to help children engage with the collection on a deeper level. Covering a variety of different themes, our ‘family trail’ explores the history behind some of our exhibits, while our two STEM-themed scavenger hunts, encourage children of all ages to work in teams to investigate either the materials or forces behind our railway.
Explore the history and significance of our exhibits with guided sessions led by our knowledgeable team in either our sleeping carriage or signal box. Uncover hidden details and appreciate each exhibit’s nuances. Sessions can only accommodate up to six guests per session, but we can conduct multiple sessions for larger groups. Contact us to arrange your visit today!
Entry to the museum is free.
For more information about what we can offer, or to organise a visit to the museum, please contact our Education and Learning officer: helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk.
