The Story of Steam – SOLD OUT

This is a ticketed event, members also require a members ticket to present with their membership card.

Tickets will not be available on the door on the day.

Join us as we explore over 100 years of steam in one unique location!

Learn about the history of working steam and how it helped develop our farming techniques, with demonstrations of steam ploughing and threshing machinery. See road rolling, wood sawing and other full size traction engines in action! Including steam lorries delivering grain to our working watermill.

With a range of various sized engines from miniature to the mighty ploughing engines, you will see how steam was used to farm the land in days gone by. There will also be a variety of model railways on display in the award winning Downland Gridshell.

Over the weekend demonstrations in the exhibitor’s field will include:

Steam powered:

• threshing
• cultivating and ploughing
• saw benches, and a
• stone crusher crushing the stones and then being used for a road rolling demonstration on Gonville Drive.

An array of various sized steam engines ranging from miniatures to full size. A variety of stationary engines driving various pieces of equipment.

Also around the museum you will be able to see:

• A steam lorry running deliveries to the mill.
• A furniture removal demonstration by the House from Walderton.
• An array of vintage caravans showcasing domestic life from the past.
• A showman’s engine, which would have been shown in association with a visiting Victorian fairground.
• Demonstrations from the working saw mill in the Museum Woodyard.
• Model railway displays in the Downland Gridshell building

Please note: The Story of Steam is not the same as the Saddles & Steam event that we have hosted in the past.

Information for Visitors

The Museum’s 40 acres site, historic gardens and buildings are fascinating places to learn about rural history. Visitors can purchase grain from the Shepherds Hut (coffee cart) and feed the hungry ducks on the mill pond. Whilst enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air, look out for the heavy horses and other traditional breed farm animals including pigs, chickens and geese. There are a number of lovely woodland trails, including a woodland play area for children to explore.

Our waterside café will be open or visitors can bring a picnic as there are plenty of picnic areas available on site. Takeaway refreshments will be available from our Shepherd’s Hut (coffee cart) located near the Stables. Dogs on leads are welcome and there is ample free parking. Please note that the Museum is a no-smoking site. Visitors with access needs are advised to read our accessibility page in advance of their visit.

All activities are subject to change.