The Hub Museum
Volunteer-run museum in Alston’s restored goods shed with local history, vintage vehicles and a model of the 1950s railway station.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Hub occupies the old goods shed beside Alston station, which for many years was the centre of transport on Alston Moor and was vital to the lead mining industry that supported the town. According to the museum, many famous steam engines were hidden in the shed during the Second World War to keep them safe from bombers.
The restored building is now run entirely by volunteers of the Alston Goods Shed Trust, a registered charity. Most of what it shows has been lent or donated by local people, and displays change often. Visitors can see old photographs and implements from Alston’s early farming, the story of the first motor transport on the Moor, the origins of the local bus service and the arrival of the railway, as well as wartime Alston and the contribution of local industry to the war effort.
Other features include a link between the Sopwith Camel biplane and a respected mining engineer, a reconstructed bike shop, vintage cars and motorbikes, a Formula 6 racing car of the type Stirling Moss learned to drive in, and a detailed EM gauge model of Alston station and its goods yard as they were in the 1950s. The museum stands next to the South Tynedale Railway station, and its opening days follow the train timetable.
Highlights
- EM gauge model of Alston station and goods yard in the 1950s
- Vintage cars, motorbikes and a Formula 6 racing car
- Reconstructed village bike shop
- Displays on lead mining, farming and wartime Alston
- Setting in the restored railway goods shed
Permanent exhibitions
- Local history and transport displays – Photographs, artefacts and vehicles, mostly lent or donated by local people, covering farming, lead mining, wartime Alston and local transport.
- Model of Alston station – An EM gauge model railway of Alston station and its goods yard as they were in the 1950s.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Alston Goods Shed Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
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| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Under 16s are free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £3 per personPre-booked groups of 10 or more pay £3.00 per person. |
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Alston station (South Tynedale Railway)
The museum is opposite Alston station on the South Tynedale Railway. Alston town centre is about a five-minute walk from the car park.
By car
Free parking
Free parking directly outside the front door.
The Hub stands in Station Yard beside the South Tynedale Railway station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Everything is under cover. Coach and school parties are welcome by arrangement. |
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