IT WAS all aboard at the Richard Jefferies Museum this weekend as a whole host of steam engines went on display to the public.

Dozens of families made their way through the entrance gates to get up close to some of the impressive locomotives while others ventured to the museum to enjoy a tasty cream tea.

Sharon Northcott, 38 from Pinehurst took her children Isabella, six, and Tristan, four, to the museum for the very first time on Sunday.

“It came up on my Facebook and I didn’t even know this place existed,” she said.

“It’s great because it is free and it is right on your doorstep.

“I did a bit of research and there is other stuff going on here and so I’ve liked their page and will keep an eye out for what else they do.

“The kids love it and my son loves the engines while my daughter likes everything else.”

As well as the popular miniature railway from Coate, people could also hear about what life used to be like on a farm and how the machines played their part to make sure production ran smoothly.

Mike Pringle, from the Richard Jefferies Museum, hopes that the event becomes an annual fixture in their calendar due to its unprecedented success.

“We did have the engines here last year but next year we want it bigger and better with country crafts,” he said.

“To get families here is the most important thing. Times have changes and you can’t stick a few things in a cabinet and expect people to come along so instead we have tried to make it something rich that they can feel, smell and hear.

“It is the middle of September and a lot of people think summer is over but we’re still going and it was lovely on Saturday to have a steady stream of people coming in throughout the day and enjoying themselves.”