Rushden Transport Museum
Free volunteer-run museum in Rushden's restored Victorian Midland Railway station, showing local road and rail transport history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Rushden Transport Museum is housed in the Victorian Midland Railway station at Rushden, which opened to passengers in 1894 on the branch line between Wellingborough and Higham Ferrers. The four station rooms hold a collection of transport items from the local area.
The museum was started by members of the Rushden Historical Transport Society, who collected road and rail artefacts and ephemera from scratch. It is now an accredited museum, and its trustees have agreed a collections policy that focuses on how road and rail transport shaped Rushden and its people within a radius of about 50 miles.
Permanent displays are supplemented by changing displays on local themes, and booklets with photographs help visitors follow the exhibits. The museum is part of the society's station site, which also has a heritage railway, a station bar, a buffet carriage and the nearby Goods Shed events venue. The museum is run by volunteers, and its drayman's boots appeared in the exhibition History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects.
Highlights
- Victorian Midland Railway station of 1894
- Local road and rail transport collection in four station rooms
- Changing displays on local themes
- Quizzes and friendly volunteers
- Heritage railway, bar and buffet carriage on the same site
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Rushden transport collection – Displays in the four station rooms on how road and rail transport shaped Rushden, with changing local-themed displays.
- Operated by
- Rushden Historical Transport Society (registered charity 1208427)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Group and school visits must be booked by email at least two weeks ahead. Suggested donation for adult groups £25 for 1 to 10 people or £50 for 11 to 30 people; £1 per child for schools and children's groups. |
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Admission is free; donations are welcome. Group and school visits carry a small charge per person.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site is reached by a sloped tarmac path and a level platform to the entrance in the Parcels Office. All museum rooms can be used by wheelchair and pushchair users, though not always as a through route, and volunteers will assist. Not all of the society's historic vehicles are accessible, there is no Shopmobility scheme and no wheelchairs are available on site. A ladies' toilet suitable for disabled visitors is at the end of the platform. Disabled parking is available by prior arrangement and in the Goods Shed car park opposite. Assistance dogs are welcome on a lead, with water bowls provided.
Kids & families
- Stroller-friendly
The site is accessible for pushchairs and visitors can try quizzes. Children's group visits are offered.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Asda store bus stop
Stagecoach 46 from Wellingborough town centre stops by the Asda store 100 yards from the station, and Stagecoach 49/50 runs from Bedford and Kettering. The nearest main-line station is Wellingborough, 5 miles away.
By car
Parking available
There is no parking on the museum side of the site. On Saturdays parking is normally available in the Goods Shed car park on the opposite side of John Clark Way. Disabled spaces are in the Goods Shed car park, and on-road parking may be available on North Street (NN10 6BU). Town-centre parking is within a quarter to half a mile.
- Accessible parking
The museum is signposted from the A6.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The station bar serves beers and ciders and is open to the public. A buffet carriage serving drinks, snacks and cakes runs on event days; it has no wheelchair access, and picnic benches are outside. A shop in a wooden chalet on the platform opens on event and train running days. Public toilets at the end of the platform are open during museum opening times.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The society's Goods Shed, across John Clark Way, is hired for events and wedding receptions.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided group visits and bespoke adult tours can be booked by email. School visits (years 1 to 6, nurseries and other children's groups of up to 30) last about an hour and start with a safety talk. Seats are available on the platform and a chair in each room is for public use. |
