Thursford - Image 1

Thursford

Fakenham, United Kingdom•4.8(5k)•Museum

Explore Norfolk's world-famous Steam Engine Museum and enjoy festive Christmas shows, Santa experiences, and family attractions year-round.

Thursford is a premier family entertainment destination located in Norfolk, home to the world's largest collection of steam engines and organs. The venue is renowned as the home of the world-famous Christmas Spectacular, a multi-award-winning show that has won Best Christmas Experience three years running. Beyond the spectacular festive productions, Thursford offers year-round attractions including Santa's Magical Journey, the Enchanted Journey of Light festive trail, and dedicated steam engine museum experiences for enthusiasts. The venue provides diverse experiences suitable for families with children of all ages. Visitors can enjoy the Steam Engine Museum with guided tours, explore the Adventure Play Fair for younger children, participate in special experiences like the Wurlitzer and Victory experiences, and browse the on-site shops. The Thursford Barn Cafe serves refreshments and snacks throughout the day, and the venue is pushchair-friendly, making it accessible for families with young children. Thursford has been recognized as the UK's best group-friendly experience and welcomes visitors year-round. Whether attending a Christmas show, meeting Santa, experiencing a festive light trail, or discovering the engineering heritage of the steam collection, Thursford offers something for everyone. The venue combines heritage preservation with modern family entertainment, making it one of Norfolk's leading tourist attractions.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Opening Hours

Monday: 11:00 – 16:00
Tuesday: 11:00 – 16:00
Wednesday: 11:00 – 16:00
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 11:00 – 16:00

Venue Details

Venue Type

Indoor & Outdoor

Typical visit duration

All day

Booking

Walk-in

What this place offers

ToiletsToilets
Public transportPublic transport nearby
Accessible toilets
Free WiFi
Baby changingBaby changing facilities
Food available
On-site parking
🐕Dog-friendly
Parking nearby
Pushchair friendlyPushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

Thursford Barn Cafe

Cafe serving hot and cold food and beverages including fish and chips, sandwiches, cakes, and coffee. Open to all visitors with various meal deals available including afternoon tea and weekday lunch specials.

Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 11:00-15:30 (hot food until 14:30), Thursday during school holidays 11:00-15:30

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Google Reviews

4.8(5k reviews)
J
Jack Abrey

Jack Abrey

a month ago

Truly amazing! 🎠🚂 Thursford is a properly good day out – there’s so many traction engines and organs to see, many of the latter play throughout the day so you can experience their timeless genius. The rides are well worth £3 each – both the galloper and carousel are a real nostalgic treat. Then we come onto Robert Wolfe and his Wurlitzer – never, in my life have I seen so much musical talent in one person, amazingly moving. A real must visit!

G
graham green

graham green

2 months ago

What a wonderful place this is. The fair ground theme play park is amazing.the boys loved the go kart track while the girls loved the water splash pad. A big shout out to cafe there too the chips a coffee was lovely. A good day out highly recommend

S
Steve Barker

Steve Barker

2 months ago

Visited Thursford Adventure Play Fair for the first time with the kids and honestly we didn’t expect it to be as impressive as it was. The whole vintage fairground theme is incredibly well done and there’s so much more to explore than we anticipated. The giant Helter Skelter, Ferris Wheel climbing area and water fountain were massive highlights, and it was great seeing the children constantly moving between different sections without getting bored. Everything felt clean, thoughtfully designed and surprisingly spacious. The food available was also very good. We especially liked how it encourages imaginative play rather than just queueing for rides. Even the adults enjoyed exploring the walkways and tunnels. Definitely one of the best outdoor play areas we’ve visited in Norfolk and we’ll absolutely be coming back.

R
Rena Maryon

Rena Maryon

2 months ago

Amazing affordable day out great outdoor options and the splash park was great. The food was very fresh. Only critique is the slides are very hot in the Sun which understandable as they are made from metal.

E
Ellen P

Ellen P

3 months ago

The Adventure playground is fantastic, and really good value for a day out, its not just an playground, its a full day of adventure, spectacularly themed and well thought out. We spent 4 hours there on an overcast Bank Holiday, it was quieter in the afternoon, but even being a bit busier in the morning, there was plenty of space to play. The Cafe was nice and well priced.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026

Events at Thursford

No upcoming events scheduled

Check back soon for new events at this venue.

This venue was last updated on 29 September 2026

Frequently asked questions about Thursford

Is Thursford free to visit?

Thursford is a paid attraction — see the official website for current ticket prices.

Is Thursford dog-friendly?

Dogs are not permitted at Thursford.

Is there parking at Thursford?

Yes, Thursford has on-site parking.

Is there food at Thursford?

Yes — Thursford Barn Cafe is on site at Thursford. Cafe serving hot and cold food and beverages including fish and chips, sandwiches, cakes, and coffee.

Is Thursford pushchair-friendly?

Yes, Thursford is pushchair, pram and buggy friendly — most areas are step-free so you can navigate easily with little ones in tow.

How long should we plan to spend at Thursford?

Thursford is a full-day experience — plan accordingly.

How do I get to Thursford by public transport?

Thursford isn't on a major public transport route — driving is recommended.
Kiddy Compass