Explore Britain’s Sporting Heritage by Train

The summer of sport is in full swing and whether your curiosity has been piqued by recent successes or you’re a bona fide sports aficionado, Britain is home to many top-class sports museums where you can learn more about your favourite sports and discover new sporting passions – all easily accessible by train. 

Get up close to famous trophies, legendary jerseys, historic sporting equipment, and fascinating objects, all while learning of the storied past of Britain’s – and the world’s – great sporting moments, and the people and locations behind their success. 

Book your train journey today with Advance tickets to get the best value for your trip. What’s more, you can get a further 1/3 off your journey when you book your ticket with a Railcard. 

Sports Museums by Train

World Rugby Museum

• Get 2FOR1 entry to the World Rugby Museum with National Rail’s Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab)

The World Rugby Museum tells the story of rugby from around the world, following the game’s history from its origins at Rugby School, Warwickshire, to the present day. Explore a glittering array of trophies including the Calcutta Cup made from 270 silver rupees; re-live some of rugby’s most memorable moments with film and video footage and see the oldest international rugby jersey. The World Rugby Museum is the definitive home of all things rugby. 

Nearest station: Twickenham 

The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

Get up close to the celebrated trophies of the championships and the historic fashions synonymous with the Wimbledon courts that date all the way back to the Victorian period. Test your pace on the Batak wall and learn about the history of the Wimbledon championships – all at The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum(external link, opens in a new tab). Discover objects and artefacts of tennis’s history and donations from stars past and present, including Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova. The museum’s award-winning wheelchair tennis display is a must-see, offering a rich history of the sport from its early days to its current success.  

Nearest station: Wimbledon

National Football Museum

• Get 20% OFF entry to the National Football Museum with National Rail's Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab)

Britain is spoiled for choice when it comes to football, as on top of the epic Stadium Tours available to us, we have a stellar line up of museums where you can soak up even more about the beautiful game.

The National Football Museum (NFM) is a treasure trove of football history, in fact, the museum has the world’s largest public collection of football objects and archives. At England’s only national museum dedicated to football you can explore their many galleries, enjoy interactive games or take a guided tour – there’s something for every footie fan. Grab a photo with iconic league cups and trophies in the Pitch Gallery and see the original ‘laws of the game’ in the Match Gallery. NFM have an exciting programme of events planned throughout the year – visit their website(external link, opens in a new tab) to learn more. 

Nearest station: Manchester Victoria

Scottish Football Museum

When in Scotland, visit the Scottish Football Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), voted one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions. Journey through Scottish football’s riveting history from the 19th century to present day. Get up close and take a picture with the Scottish Cup - the world’s oldest national football trophy, then visit the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, featuring the greatest players that Scotland has ever produced, including Kenny Daglish, Jim Baxter and Denis Law. Based within Hampden Park, the Museum provides a wonderful day out for fans of the great game.

Trains run to and from Glasgow Central from both Mount Florida and King’s Park stations, both a 10-15 minute walk from the Museum.

Nearest stations: Mount Florida Station and King’s Park Station via Glasgow Central

National Horseracing Museum

• Get 2FOR1 entry to the National Horseracing Museum with National Rail's Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab)

The National Horseracing Museum showcases incredible artefacts from horses, races, jockeys and trainers past. Take a journey back in time with a series of interactive displays and exhibitions, find out what it takes to be a jockey, and gallop past the finishing post on their racehorse simulator. 
 
Explore the delights and historical snapshots that can be found throughout; the galleries in the King’s Yard and Trainer’s House tell the story of horseracing from its earliest origins to the worldwide phenomenon it is today. Plus, meet former racehorses and find out how they spend their time in retirement. 

Nearest station: Newmarket

The Snooker Heritage Collection 

Home to the second largest collection of snooker memorabilia in the world, The Snooker Heritage Collection(external link, opens in a new tab) in Liverpool offers visitors an in-depth look into the evolution of the game, from its origins to its status as a popular global sport – and is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station. The collection contains fascinating and historical objects from ancient cue tips to a variety of tables, ivory and early composite balls, chalk, maces and even pocket plates damaged during prison riots. Most of the collection was assembled by Norman Clare and has been maintained in his memory. 

The Snooker Heritage Collection is free to enter but a guide is required for your visit, so it is viewable by appointment only. Visit the Snooker Heritage Collection website(external link, opens in a new tab) for more information. 

Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street (external link, opens in a new tab)