Step Inside the Steam Age

Forncett Industrial Steam Museum is home to one of the UK's largest collections of stationary steam engines, preserving the machinery that powered industry, agriculture and everyday life for generations. Through live demonstrations and interpretation, the museum brings these engineering achievements to life, helping visitors understand how steam transformed the world around us.

Set within the beautiful Tas Valley in South Norfolk, the museum is run by a charitable trust dedicated to conserving industrial heritage and inspiring future generations to explore science, engineering and technology through hands-on experiences. Visitors can see a wide range of historic machinery, including the engine that operated Tower Bridge until 1974, alongside other fascinating exhibits that showcase the ingenuity of the steam age.

As part of Heritage Open Days, visitors are invited to join special guided tours led by the museum's founder, who will share the stories behind the collection, its restoration and the remarkable people and industries connected to these machines. These tours offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into decades of collecting, preservation and research.

The museum will also host a traditional 16mm film screening in partnership with Forncett Festival CIC. This nostalgic cinema experience celebrates another important aspect of twentieth-century heritage, giving visitors the chance to enjoy film in its original format.

Events are free, pre-booking recommended.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

Museum open 11am - 4pm. Tour at 11am. 16mm film projections from 1pm.

Wednesday 16 September:

Museum open 11am - 4pm. Tour at 11am. Free Steam Up.

Sunday 20 September:

Museum open 11am - 4pm. Tour at 11am. Museum open with video installations.

Location & directions

Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, Low Road, Forncett St Mary, Norfolk, NR161JJ

Directions:

We are 10 miles south of Norwich in the village of Forncett St Mary, Norfolk, England, NR16 1JJ. Brown tourist signs will direct you from the A140 at Long Stratton (3 miles) or the B1113 at Tacolneston (2 miles). Ample car parking on site, disabled access and wheelchair accessible toilets.

Contact on day:

Taryn Everdeen

Telephone number:

+441508488277

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

All events are free to attend, pre-booking preferred. Please email [email protected] to let us know if you plan to come!

Booking contact name:

Taryn Everdeen

Booking email:

[email protected]

Accessibility details

The lower floor of the museum with the engine exhibits is wheelchair accessible. The Steam Café where refreshments are served is accessed by two flights of stairs and may not be suitable for some people with reduced mobility, but we are more than happy to bring refreshments down for you.

Additional information

The Steam Café is an atmospheric music/arts venue and cinema with an excellent steam punk cafe & bar, inside Forncett Industrial Steam Museum.

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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