Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle
St. Govor’s Well.
St. Govor’s Well
Shivsrushti
Pierced domes of Hammam Seffarine.
Hammam Seffarine
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Rats didn’t take over the city by being foolhardy.
Do New York City Rats Deserve Their Bad Rap?
2 days ago
The Secret Gardens Saving the World’s Rarest Plants
2 days ago
Solo travel can be challenging and sometimes lonely, but it also often leads to the greatest adventures.
Dear Atlas: How Do I Unplug on a Solo Trip?
3 days ago
Museum of Friends
The Art in This Museum Was Donated for Free
3 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Thursford Thursford Collection

Thursford Collection

A large collection of steam engines, organs, and fairground attractions.

Thursford, England

Added By
James Butcher
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Gallopers.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
Gallopers.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
View of inside the attraction.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
Wurlitzer Show.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
Example of an organ on display.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
Outside of the attraction.   JamesB93 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Thursford Collection was established in the 1970s by a local businessman, George Cushing. Over the years, Cushing has established an impressive collection of various machinery, steam engines, steam organs, and fairground rides that are still in operation.

The attraction puts on regular shows and tours, but its main highlight is the Wurlitzer organ. This Wurlitzer is the fourth largest in Europe, and was obtained from the Odeon Cinema in Leeds, England.

What makes this collection worthwhile is its vast collection and family-friendly approach. Thursford also has two operating fairground rides: an 1896 Gallopers and a Venetian Gondola Switchback Ride.

Thursford is beloved for its annual Christmas Spectacular. Outside the attraction, there is also a free shopping village featuring a large Christmas shop, gift shops, and cafes. 

Related Tags

Museums Collections Museums And Collections

Community Contributors

Added By

JamesB93

Published

July 16, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.thursford.com/
Thursford Collection
Thursford Collection
Thursford, England, NR21 0BL
United Kingdom
52.87104, 0.940487
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Ruins of St. Mary's Church

England

miles away

Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History

Fakenham, England

miles away

Ware Hall House

Wells-next-the-Sea, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Nearby Places

The Ruins of St. Mary's Church

England

miles away

Fakenham Museum of Gas and Local History

Fakenham, England

miles away

Ware Hall House

Wells-next-the-Sea, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,219
Stories 145

Related Places

  • Bentside Spinet

    Manchester, England

    RNCM Collection of Historic Musical Instruments

    Over 300 historical instruments from around the world can be found in the Royal Northern College of Music's basement.

  • Outside Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum in Boulder City, NV, with the owner’s custom hearse parked in front.

    Boulder City, Nevada

    Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum

    A professional special effects makeup artist’s collection of horror creatures and one-of-a-kind recreations on display in downtown Boulder City.

  •  The 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Bubble Top was such an icon, that even the Beach Boys sang its praises. Their song “409,” appeared on both their 1962 album Surfin’ Safari and 1963’s Little Deuce Coupe.

    Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

    Wheels of Yesteryear

    From the 1940 Ford Coupe that started it all 50 years ago, this collection of over 150 classic vehicles celebrates the spirit and history of American car craft.

  • Every tour begins in the basement, featuring a bar decorated in Russian vodka labels.

    Staten Island, New York

    Booze History Museum

    Crammed into several rooms of a Staten Island home, this museum is a vodka-soaked paean to the pleasures of drinking.

  • Naples, Italy

    Stazione Neapolis

    A special area of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is located inside a metro station.

  • Burial Tumulus

    Taxco, Mexico

    Museo De Arte Virreinal (Museum of Viceroyalty Art)

    The jewel of the museum is a rare tumulus, a funeral decoration from the 18th century.

  • Día de Muertos Offering.

    Metepec, Mexico

    Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)

    A collection of incredible clay crafts, complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids.

  • A bust of Xavier Jouvin and his invention, the “iron hand.”

    Grenoble, France

    Musée de la Ganterie (Museum of Glove-Making)

    The cellar of a former factory is now home to a collection of gloves, machines, and tools of the trade.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.