Conwy Valley Railway Museum
Railway museum and model shop at Betws-y-Coed station, with model railway layouts and a miniature steam railway and electric tram on the grounds.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Conwy Valley Railway Museum was founded in the 1970s next to Betws-y-Coed railway station, on the site of the old railway goods yard. It grew up around a former standard-gauge railway carriage, which now serves as a buffet coach, and a purpose-built museum building was added later.
Inside the museum are model railway layouts, including well-known dioramas of the London and North Western Railway by Jack Nelson, and a collection of railway artefacts. A shop sells model railway stock for beginners and enthusiasts.
Outside, a miniature steam railway on 7¼-inch gauge track circles the landscaped grounds, and a one-third scale electric tram runs on 15-inch gauge track. The museum says its miniature trains usually run most days in the season, with a steam engine at weekends and a diesel engine at other times.
Highlights
- Model railway layouts, including Jack Nelson’s LNWR dioramas
- Miniature steam railway around the grounds, with trains every 15 minutes
- Electric tram ride
- Model railway shop
- Buffet coach café in a real railway carriage (currently closed for refurbishment)
Permanent exhibition
- Model railway layouts and railway collection – Model railway layouts, including dioramas by Jack Nelson, and railway artefacts, with a miniature steam railway and an electric tram on the grounds.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £1.50Children aged 5 and over and pensioners |
| Children & teens | £1.50Museum entry for children aged 5 and over; visitors aged 16 and over need an adult ticket. |
| Seniors | £1.50Pensioners, museum entry. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more; contact the museum for details. |
| Families | £6Museum entry for 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Miniature train ride, single | £2.50Age 2 and over; children under 24 months travel free |
| Miniature train ride, 10 rides | £20 |
Museum entry and the miniature train rides are priced separately.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Dogs are allowed on the miniature trains, in the railway shop and in the museum. The museum’s website says the toilets on site are closed until further notice and that public toilets are over the railway bridge.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £6 · Museum entry for 2 adults and 2 children. |
|---|
The museum describes itself as fun for all the family, with train and tram rides, a picnic area and a model shop.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Betws-y-Coed railway station
The museum is next to Betws-y-Coed railway station.
By car
Parking available
Car parking is available on site.
The museum is in the Old Goods Yard, next to the main station of Betws-y-Coed.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Model railway shop. The buffet coach café is currently closed for refurbishment.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Parties of 10 or more should contact the museum. |
|---|
