Welcome to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre, home of the Great Central Railway Nottingham — book your tickets online today!
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Plan Your Visit

A full day out for all the family at Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre — four incredible attractions on one spectacular 25-acre site in Ruddington

Ruddington, Nottingham
Parking £3
Free Site Entry
Fully Accessible
Dogs Welcome
What's at NTHC
Great Central Railway
Heritage Railway

Great Central Railway

Our flagship heritage steam railway runs eight miles from Ruddington to Loughborough, hauling vintage carriages through beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of authentic steam and diesel locomotives operated by our dedicated volunteer team.

8-mile heritage line Steam & diesel Special events Historic stations
View Upcoming Events
Heritage Bus Depot
Heritage Buses

Nottingham Area Bus Society

Step inside our working bus depot, home to a wonderful collection of Nottingham's historic buses and coaches lovingly preserved by our volunteer team. Browse the vehicles up close and discover the story of public transport in the East Midlands.

Historic collection Working workshop Guided tours
Miniature Railways
Miniature Railway

Miniature Railways

Enjoy a ride on the Nottingham Society of Model Engineers' impressive ground-level miniature railway — always a hit with younger visitors. Rides run on selected dates throughout the year at just £1.50 per person.

Ground-level track Live steam £1.50 per ride All ages
Indoor Exhibitions
Indoor Exhibitions

Model Railways & Museum

Explore our indoor model railway exhibitions with detailed layouts in various scales, plus fascinating museum displays showcasing Nottingham's rich transport heritage spanning over a century of railway history. A perfect all-weather attraction.

Multiple scales Operating demos All-weather
FREE
Site Entry
£3
Car Parking
£1.50
Miniature Railway
10–5
Typical Hours

Opening times vary throughout the year and run on selected weekends during the operating season. Special events may have different hours.

CaféHot & cold drinks, light lunches and homemade cakes
Gift ShopRailway books, souvenirs, prints and models
Picnic AreaBring your own food and eat in the open air
ToiletsIncluding accessible facilities and baby changing
Full AccessibilityFlat site, disabled ramps onto trains, accessible parking
Dogs WelcomeWell-behaved dogs on leads welcome throughout
Full facilities guide →
AddressMere Way, Ruddington Fields, Nottingham NG11 6JS
By CarTake the A60 south from Nottingham, follow signs to Ruddington Fields. Sat Nav: NG11 6JS
By BusRegular services from Nottingham city centre to Ruddington village — 15-minute walk to the centre
By BikeCycle parking on site, accessible via local routes from Nottingham
ParkingAmple on-site parking including dedicated disabled bays — £3 per visit
Full directions & map →
Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my own food?

Yes! We have designated picnic areas across the site. Our café also serves a great selection of hot and cold drinks, light lunches and cakes.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Absolutely. The entire site is flat and step-free, the platform is wheelchair accessible, and our trains are fitted with disabled access ramps.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes — well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site. Guide dogs are of course always welcome everywhere.

How long should I allow?

We recommend at least 3–4 hours, though many visitors easily spend a full day exploring everything on offer.

Do I need to book in advance?

Site entry is free with no booking required. Train tickets can be purchased on the day. Some special events may require advance booking.

Is there shelter if it rains?

Yes! The bus depot, museum, café and indoor model railway exhibitions all provide undercover areas — plenty to keep you busy whatever the weather.

Group Visits

We welcome group visits and coach parties throughout the operating season. Advance booking is recommended to ensure the best experience.

  • Group discounts on train tickets
  • Reserved café seating available
  • Coach parking on site
  • Guided tours available

School Visits

Curriculum-linked educational visits covering history, engineering and transport heritage — a hands-on learning experience pupils won't forget.

  • Educational resources provided
  • Hands-on experiences
  • Risk assessments available
  • Flexible group sizes