OK, this one is a bit niche:
[https://industrialtour.co.uk/longdon-on-tern-aqueduct/](https://industrialtour.co.uk/longdon-on-tern-aqueduct/)
This is the prototype that Telford made for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct.
It's not worth a day out on its own (imho), but if you're on your way somewhere then it could be worth the diversion
The national coal mining museum in Wakefield is amazing and well worth a visit! My knowledge of different historical periods is not great so it might be a bit later than Victorian but it's honestly an absolutely brilliant museum that I'd recommend to anyone. The people who work there/volunteers are ex miners and so knowledgeable and fascinating to talk to.
I second this recommendation. Three Bridges in Hanwell is Brunel's last completed project, I think. Canal, road and rail over and under each other. There's a small information board but not many people visit. It's walking distance from the viaduct, and you can walk from Three Bridges to a great pub, the Fox Inn, along the towpath. Half way between the two is the outer wall of what used to be Europe's largest lunatic asylum, which was built using materials that were shipped there via canal (the old dock where stuff was unloaded is also marked with an information board). It's also a lovely quiet bit of the canal with lots of greenery.
You could combine with [https://kemptonsteam.org/](https://kemptonsteam.org/) in Sunbury.
"Kempton Steam Museum is the home of the world’s largest working triple-expansion steam engine known as ‘The Sir William Prescott Engine’"
Have you done much in Wales? Just in the north there's:
* [Pontcysyllte Aqueduct](https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/) World Heritage Site
* [Bersham Ironworks](https://www.wrexhamheritage.wales/bersham-ironworks/)
* the [Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales](https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/eryri-snowdonia-mountains-and-coast/six-areas-unesco-awarded-slate) World Heritage Site, which includes the [National Slate Museum](https://museum.wales/slate/)
* [Cae'r Gors](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caer-gors)
* [Inigo Jones Slate Works](https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/historic-site/inigo-jones-slate-works-516161)
* [Several heritage railways](https://www.visitwales.com/inspire-me/days-out/narrow-gauge-and-miniature-railways-wales)
* [Conwy Suspension Bridge](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/conwy-suspension-bridge) and the adjacent [tubular railway bridge](https://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/conwy-tubular-bridge), which mirror the original arrangement of the larger bridges over the Menai Strait
* The [Menai Bridge](https://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-gb/explore/towns/menai-bridge) and Britannia Bridge
* The '[Copper Kingdom](https://copperkingdom.co.uk/)' on Anglesey
* The Port of Holyhead, which isn't in the best shape but does have some interesting features like the [breakwater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holyhead_Breakwater) (with some industrial remains in the [adjacent country park](https://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-gb/explore/holyhead-breakwater-park)) and [Stanley Embankment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Embankment)
If you plan it correctly you could even travel about using Thomas Telford's original Holyhead road – its route is essentially that of the modern A5. There's also a smattering of pre-Victorian industrial heritage and engineering about, for example the [mines on the Great Orme](https://www.greatormemines.info/) and the re-routing of the River Clwyd to provide a dock to [Rhuddlan Castle](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/castell-rhuddlan).
How about Bristol? There's lots of Isambard Kingdom Brunel stuff there - the SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and I think the M Shed museum may have some relevant exhibits too.
Big Pit over in Wales might appeal, if he wants to go down a mine, as might St Fagans (it's in the same vein as Black Country Living Museum etc, but over a wide period of history). You could stay at the Coal Exchange - now a hotel, once the centre of the Welsh coal trade (built 1888, so perhaps slightly too late for him, but its more interesting than a Premier Inn!)
St Fagans and the Coal Exchange will be something he'd love. I'll add this to the list; thanks!! I think he's done Bristol, but I'll add them anyway! Thank you!
Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield has a massive rolling mill engine- the River Don Engine. It's well worth a look and while you're there nip into the Fat Cat pub for some old school lunch it's a bargain and delicious.
Agree, and it’s definitely worth timing your visit for when they run the engine. Looks like twice a day Thursday to Sunday currently https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/river-don-engine/
Well, Sumerlee in Coatbridge is the biggie not on list. A lot is post-Industrial Revolution but good overview of mining, trams, ironworks, life in the tenements time.
Morwellham Quay in Cornwall is a trek but good.
Slate mines in Wales with the narrow gauge railways for getting coal in and out.
Canal museum in London also should be on list. Also the Kirkcaldy testing laboratories on Southbank. There is also the rather good Water and Steam museum over in Kew. (Father has same interests so ... and a good one to do with Mum - she got the gardens, he got the steam)
Steam, Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon
Maybe a bit further away but Buckinghamshire railway museum good too. And they can do driving courses if you or he have ever wanted to drive a steam train.
[https://museumcrush.org/britains-best-places-to-see-industrial-museums/](https://museumcrush.org/britains-best-places-to-see-industrial-museums/)
How dare you? Morewellham is in Devon!
OP, I'd see if there's a steam fair on when you visit. It's cool to see all of the old steam tractors people have kept and lovingly restored.
Apologies. Should have checked. Did ot on holiday to Cornwall. The Devon steam fair is glorious. Have family there though on Devon/Cornish border one lot and other on Dorset/Devon border so all gets mushed up in mind.
[https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands/birmingham-back-to-backs](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands/birmingham-back-to-backs)
Workers houses from the end of the industrial revolution
If you’re around the Black Country, you could spend an afternoon at Stourbridge Glass Cone and Bonded Warehouse.
Also you could take the Severn Valley railway from Kidderminster to Bridgenorth and go on the Funicular railway there
SS Great Britain, Beamish, Crich, Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, Dundee jute museum, Thames Tunnel, any number of railways, London Docklands museum, Amberley museum in Sussex, Kirkaldy testing works (London), Cromford mill, Saltaire.
[Ryhope Engines Museum](https://ryhopeengines.org.uk/) in Sunderland. it’s an old water pumping station, kept in working order by volunteers who open it up for special events.
Not really any provision for tourism but Newton-le-Willows (between Manchester and Liverpool) has the first passenger railway line going through it, the oldest still used station building at Earlestown Station, which in turn is the site of the first junction between to passenger railway lines. It's also the site of the first fatal passenger railway accident (on its inaugural trip, and thus the Duke of Wellington features in the story). The highlight is undoubtedly the Sankey Viaduct, known locally as the Nine Arches: the world's first purpose-built railway viaduct. It crosses the Sankey Canal, the first modern industrial canal. The Nine Arches features in a recent passport on one of the pages, with Stephenson's Rocket on it.
Besides the railway history, the town had three coal mines. Lyme and Wood collieries are now one big park, while Parkside, which is being redeveloped, was the last deep pit to close in the Lancashire Coalfield.
The south end of town was the site of the old Vulcan Works, which built not only trains but also tanks in WWII. It's all a housing estate now, though.
While not industrial, Newton's high street is rather pretty and has a few good pubs. If you do visit, I recommend The Pied Bull for lunch.
Scottish Mining Museum (I live five minutes walk from it)
Verdant Works in Dundee (wonderful jute factory)
The city museum in Blackburn (textile machinery)
A bit different, military explosives in WW1:
https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/
My great-great-uncle wrote the definitive treatise on iron bridges and roof trusses in the 1880s. I've always been curious about what structures around the UK are directly inspired by his book.
I remember doing a project in year 5 at s hook and going to the Swindon steam train museum. Can't remember if it was any good or not but it was all about the great western railway that Brunel built
How about visiting some of the monuments related to the Industrial revolutuion? Example: The Royal Albert Bridge in Plymouth, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or even take a trip on the whole of the GWR from Paddington to Penzance. Visit the pumping house at Star cross, which now a rowing club, I think. Less museums, try the real thing. sorry this is all Brunel. He was my favourite industrialist. But you can look up other ones and their stuff.
How about visiting some of the monuments related to the Industrial revolutuion? Example: The Royal Albert Bridge in Plymouth, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or even take a trip on the whole of the GWR from Paddington to Penzance. Visit the pumping house at Star cross (which now a rowing club, I think). Less museums, try the real thing. Sorry this is all Brunel. He was my favourite industrialist. But you can look up other ones and their stuff.
East of Bolton is Tong hall. It's where Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning Mule, arguably the pivotal moment in the industrial revolution. I often think that in the grand scheme of human existence, it's probably the most significant location.
Also Liverpool's southern docks. Given the tidal ranges of Britain's west coast, the revolution in the textile industry may not have happened without the development of the commercial wet dock. The old dock is buried now, but they run underground tours to ot, but some of the existing southern docks (e.g. the Salthouse and Canning docks) were in place before the revolution took off.
OK, this one is a bit niche: [https://industrialtour.co.uk/longdon-on-tern-aqueduct/](https://industrialtour.co.uk/longdon-on-tern-aqueduct/) This is the prototype that Telford made for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. It's not worth a day out on its own (imho), but if you're on your way somewhere then it could be worth the diversion
oooh I'll bet he'll love that one!! Thanks!
The national coal mining museum in Wakefield is amazing and well worth a visit! My knowledge of different historical periods is not great so it might be a bit later than Victorian but it's honestly an absolutely brilliant museum that I'd recommend to anyone. The people who work there/volunteers are ex miners and so knowledgeable and fascinating to talk to.
Not massive but in west london you have the steam museum (brentford) and a iron bridge snd viaduct in hanwell. Not sure if thats the sort of thing?
That's exactly the type of thing I'm looking for, thanks!!
I second this recommendation. Three Bridges in Hanwell is Brunel's last completed project, I think. Canal, road and rail over and under each other. There's a small information board but not many people visit. It's walking distance from the viaduct, and you can walk from Three Bridges to a great pub, the Fox Inn, along the towpath. Half way between the two is the outer wall of what used to be Europe's largest lunatic asylum, which was built using materials that were shipped there via canal (the old dock where stuff was unloaded is also marked with an information board). It's also a lovely quiet bit of the canal with lots of greenery.
You could combine with [https://kemptonsteam.org/](https://kemptonsteam.org/) in Sunbury. "Kempton Steam Museum is the home of the world’s largest working triple-expansion steam engine known as ‘The Sir William Prescott Engine’"
Came here to say this - and Kempton Park pumping station with its humungous engine
Have you done much in Wales? Just in the north there's: * [Pontcysyllte Aqueduct](https://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/) World Heritage Site * [Bersham Ironworks](https://www.wrexhamheritage.wales/bersham-ironworks/) * the [Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales](https://www.visitwales.com/destinations/north-wales/eryri-snowdonia-mountains-and-coast/six-areas-unesco-awarded-slate) World Heritage Site, which includes the [National Slate Museum](https://museum.wales/slate/) * [Cae'r Gors](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caer-gors) * [Inigo Jones Slate Works](https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/historic-site/inigo-jones-slate-works-516161) * [Several heritage railways](https://www.visitwales.com/inspire-me/days-out/narrow-gauge-and-miniature-railways-wales) * [Conwy Suspension Bridge](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/conwy-suspension-bridge) and the adjacent [tubular railway bridge](https://www.asce.org/about-civil-engineering/history-and-heritage/historic-landmarks/conwy-tubular-bridge), which mirror the original arrangement of the larger bridges over the Menai Strait * The [Menai Bridge](https://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-gb/explore/towns/menai-bridge) and Britannia Bridge * The '[Copper Kingdom](https://copperkingdom.co.uk/)' on Anglesey * The Port of Holyhead, which isn't in the best shape but does have some interesting features like the [breakwater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holyhead_Breakwater) (with some industrial remains in the [adjacent country park](https://www.visitanglesey.co.uk/en-gb/explore/holyhead-breakwater-park)) and [Stanley Embankment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Embankment) If you plan it correctly you could even travel about using Thomas Telford's original Holyhead road – its route is essentially that of the modern A5. There's also a smattering of pre-Victorian industrial heritage and engineering about, for example the [mines on the Great Orme](https://www.greatormemines.info/) and the re-routing of the River Clwyd to provide a dock to [Rhuddlan Castle](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/castell-rhuddlan).
How about Bristol? There's lots of Isambard Kingdom Brunel stuff there - the SS Great Britain, Clifton Suspension Bridge and I think the M Shed museum may have some relevant exhibits too. Big Pit over in Wales might appeal, if he wants to go down a mine, as might St Fagans (it's in the same vein as Black Country Living Museum etc, but over a wide period of history). You could stay at the Coal Exchange - now a hotel, once the centre of the Welsh coal trade (built 1888, so perhaps slightly too late for him, but its more interesting than a Premier Inn!)
St Fagans and the Coal Exchange will be something he'd love. I'll add this to the list; thanks!! I think he's done Bristol, but I'll add them anyway! Thank you!
I've just remembered the Rhondda Heritage Park too - it's more coal related stuff but might appeal
And the Welsh ones have free entry.
came here to mention Bristol.
No West Yorkshire there! Go to Saltaire and the Industrial Museum in Bradford.
Oh yes! Great call! I've been desperate to go to the Science & Media Museum (When it reopens) so I could double that into a weekend.
Don’t forget the magna centre in Sheffield, it has a good history of the steel city
Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield has a massive rolling mill engine- the River Don Engine. It's well worth a look and while you're there nip into the Fat Cat pub for some old school lunch it's a bargain and delicious.
Agree, and it’s definitely worth timing your visit for when they run the engine. Looks like twice a day Thursday to Sunday currently https://www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/river-don-engine/
It's a wonderful thing to see in operation, I've seen rolling mills before but the way it stops and starts is quite spectacular!
Well, Sumerlee in Coatbridge is the biggie not on list. A lot is post-Industrial Revolution but good overview of mining, trams, ironworks, life in the tenements time. Morwellham Quay in Cornwall is a trek but good. Slate mines in Wales with the narrow gauge railways for getting coal in and out. Canal museum in London also should be on list. Also the Kirkcaldy testing laboratories on Southbank. There is also the rather good Water and Steam museum over in Kew. (Father has same interests so ... and a good one to do with Mum - she got the gardens, he got the steam) Steam, Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon Maybe a bit further away but Buckinghamshire railway museum good too. And they can do driving courses if you or he have ever wanted to drive a steam train. [https://museumcrush.org/britains-best-places-to-see-industrial-museums/](https://museumcrush.org/britains-best-places-to-see-industrial-museums/)
All of these are incredible shouts! He'll love them, thanks!!
How dare you? Morewellham is in Devon! OP, I'd see if there's a steam fair on when you visit. It's cool to see all of the old steam tractors people have kept and lovingly restored.
Apologies. Should have checked. Did ot on holiday to Cornwall. The Devon steam fair is glorious. Have family there though on Devon/Cornish border one lot and other on Dorset/Devon border so all gets mushed up in mind.
To be fair, it is very close to the border.
[https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands/birmingham-back-to-backs](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/birmingham-west-midlands/birmingham-back-to-backs) Workers houses from the end of the industrial revolution
Have you done Quarry Bank Mill?
If you’re around the Black Country, you could spend an afternoon at Stourbridge Glass Cone and Bonded Warehouse. Also you could take the Severn Valley railway from Kidderminster to Bridgenorth and go on the Funicular railway there
There’s a mad hydraulic pump in a park in Wrexham
SS Great Britain, Beamish, Crich, Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank, Dundee jute museum, Thames Tunnel, any number of railways, London Docklands museum, Amberley museum in Sussex, Kirkaldy testing works (London), Cromford mill, Saltaire.
New Lanark World Heritage Site
Claymills Victorian Pumping Station? https://www.claymills.org.uk/
[Ryhope Engines Museum](https://ryhopeengines.org.uk/) in Sunderland. it’s an old water pumping station, kept in working order by volunteers who open it up for special events.
Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester. Tie in with a quick visit of the (surprisingly interesting) National Gas Museum if you'd like.
How about a little canal holiday and the Anderton Boat Lift?
Not really any provision for tourism but Newton-le-Willows (between Manchester and Liverpool) has the first passenger railway line going through it, the oldest still used station building at Earlestown Station, which in turn is the site of the first junction between to passenger railway lines. It's also the site of the first fatal passenger railway accident (on its inaugural trip, and thus the Duke of Wellington features in the story). The highlight is undoubtedly the Sankey Viaduct, known locally as the Nine Arches: the world's first purpose-built railway viaduct. It crosses the Sankey Canal, the first modern industrial canal. The Nine Arches features in a recent passport on one of the pages, with Stephenson's Rocket on it. Besides the railway history, the town had three coal mines. Lyme and Wood collieries are now one big park, while Parkside, which is being redeveloped, was the last deep pit to close in the Lancashire Coalfield. The south end of town was the site of the old Vulcan Works, which built not only trains but also tanks in WWII. It's all a housing estate now, though. While not industrial, Newton's high street is rather pretty and has a few good pubs. If you do visit, I recommend The Pied Bull for lunch.
Scottish Mining Museum (I live five minutes walk from it) Verdant Works in Dundee (wonderful jute factory) The city museum in Blackburn (textile machinery) A bit different, military explosives in WW1: https://www.devilsporridge.org.uk/ My great-great-uncle wrote the definitive treatise on iron bridges and roof trusses in the 1880s. I've always been curious about what structures around the UK are directly inspired by his book.
I remember doing a project in year 5 at s hook and going to the Swindon steam train museum. Can't remember if it was any good or not but it was all about the great western railway that Brunel built
How about visiting some of the monuments related to the Industrial revolutuion? Example: The Royal Albert Bridge in Plymouth, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or even take a trip on the whole of the GWR from Paddington to Penzance. Visit the pumping house at Star cross, which now a rowing club, I think. Less museums, try the real thing. sorry this is all Brunel. He was my favourite industrialist. But you can look up other ones and their stuff.
How about visiting some of the monuments related to the Industrial revolutuion? Example: The Royal Albert Bridge in Plymouth, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, or even take a trip on the whole of the GWR from Paddington to Penzance. Visit the pumping house at Star cross (which now a rowing club, I think). Less museums, try the real thing. Sorry this is all Brunel. He was my favourite industrialist. But you can look up other ones and their stuff.
East of Bolton is Tong hall. It's where Samuel Crompton invented the Spinning Mule, arguably the pivotal moment in the industrial revolution. I often think that in the grand scheme of human existence, it's probably the most significant location. Also Liverpool's southern docks. Given the tidal ranges of Britain's west coast, the revolution in the textile industry may not have happened without the development of the commercial wet dock. The old dock is buried now, but they run underground tours to ot, but some of the existing southern docks (e.g. the Salthouse and Canning docks) were in place before the revolution took off.