Railworld Wildlife Haven

About the museum

Railworld was founded in 1985 by the Reverend Richard Paten as the Museum of World Railways. It took the name Railworld in 1992, and today it is called Railworld Wildlife Haven because its focus has moved towards a landscaped nature area. It is a charity and stands beside Peterborough station of the Nene Valley Railway, from which it is a separate organisation.

The site was once a coal storage yard that served Peterborough Power Station. Volunteers, companies and groups cleared and shaped the land, mainly to create habitat for native species, and it is now home to more than 200 species of plants and animals. The charity promotes sustainable transport and shows the railway history of Peterborough.

The exhibition keeps a small collection of locomotives, photographs, railway objects and a model railway. Two unusual vehicles are the prototype tracked hovercraft RTV 31, which was tested in the Cambridgeshire Fens, and a vehicle from the Birmingham airport maglev link. The centre is open only on certain days.

Highlights

• Tracked Hovercraft RTV 31, a prototype hover train tested in the Fens
• Birmingham airport maglev vehicle
• Model railway and exhibition hall on railway history
• Landscaped wildlife haven with more than 200 species of plants and animals
• Next to the Nene Valley Railway station

Permanent exhibition

• Railworld exhibition and model railway – A small collection of locomotives, railway objects and photographs, a model railway and unusual vehicles such as a prototype tracked hovercraft.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Railworld (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A heritage-attraction listing describes the site as partly accessible for visitors with disabilities, and a tourism listing gives accessible toilets and parking on site.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

A baby changing facility is listed on site.

Getting there & parking

From the A605 Oundle Road, pass under the railway bridge and turn left into the Pleasure Fair Meadow car park, then follow the signs to the Railworld car park.

Amenities & dining

Refreshments, toilets, accessible toilets, baby changing and picnic areas are listed by tourism and heritage listings.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.