To celebrate Railway 200, we are delighted to bring you a range of free railway history talks, tours and exhibitions taking place during Heritage Open Days in September. Thanks to our partners we have a fantastic selection of events on offer in Stafford, Stoke, Crewe and Stone. The events are free to attend however, numbers for talks and tours are limited so places must be booked in advance using the links below. The exhibitions do not need to be booked in advance.
Events
Guided Walk from Stone Station
Saturday 13th September
A walk through time looking at various aspects of the history of Stone including the railway and the canal.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guided-walk-from-stone-railway-station-tickets-1586431562509
Stone Heritage Centre Railway Exhibition
Saturday 13th September
Visit Stone Town Council’s Heritage Centre for a specially curated exhibition exploring the history of Stone Station.
Drop in between 11am and 4pm – https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/stone-heritage-centre-railway-exhibition.html
Guided Tours of Stoke Station
Saturday 13th and Monday 15th September
Join Mark Smith, Chair of the North Staffs Rail Study Group, for a guided walking tour of the history of the North Staffordshire Railway’s headquarters station, covering key features of the public areas.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stoke-on-trent-railway-station-guided-tour-tickets-1548015458909
Tracks Through Time Exhibition at Stoke Station
Saturday 13th September to Friday 19th September
Tracks Through Time is an interactive exhibition sharing real stories of women, disabled workers, and diverse heritage staff, past and present in shaping the railway over the last 200 years.
Drop in between 10.30am and 4pm – http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/tracks-through-time-exhibition-at-stoke-on-trent-station.html
Behind the Scenes Tours of Crewe Station
Tuesday 16th September
Join Avanti West Coast for a behind-the-scenes tour of Crewe Station.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/behind-the-scenes-tours-crewe-station-tickets-1509785080819
Railway History Told Through Posters at Crewe Heritage Centre
Tuesday 16th September
Join Michael Wilmot for a fully illustrated talk featuring railway poster advertising.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/railway-history-told-through-posters-tickets-1589540200529
A History of the Trent Valley Railway at Stafford Station
Tuesday 16th September
Join Robin Mathams and Dave Barrett for a fully illustrated history talk about the establishing of the Trent Valley Railway Company.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-of-the-trent-valley-railway-talk-tickets-1547667668659
The Quest for Speed on the UK’s Railways at Stafford Station
Tuesday 16th September
Join Robin Mathams for a fully-illustrated history talk about how UK railway engineers designed locomotives and trains to run at ever-faster speeds.
Tickets must be booked in advance – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-quest-for-speed-on-the-uks-railways-talk-tickets-1547930735499
Crewe Heritage Fair
Saturday 20th September
Crewe Heritage Centre are holding a Heritage Fair on Saturday 20th September and we will be attending. If you are visiting the event do come and say hi!
https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/crewe-heritage-fair-2025.html
The Heritage Open Days festival takes place every September and is England’s largest festival and celebration of history and culture with a range of free events. Further information can be found at www.heritageopendays.org.uk
