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National Gas Museum

About

The National Gas Museum in Leicester occupies a Victorian gatehouse from 1878, crowned by its distinctive clock tower. Inside, it preserves one of the world’s largest collections of gas‑related artefacts, tracing the evolution of gas from early coal‑gas production to the natural‑gas era. Visitors can explore more than 500 exhibits, from 19th‑century appliances to curious inventions such as gas‑powered radios, irons and hair dryers. A reconstructed 1920s kitchen shows how gas transformed domestic life, while working vintage gas lights demonstrate early illumination technology. The museum also highlights the engineering shift of the 1970s, when British Gas engineers collected thousands of town‑gas appliances destined for replacement. These form the core of today’s collection, now managed by the National Gas Museum Trust.

Leicester United Kingdom
National Gas Museum
Location

The National Gas Museum is an easygoing, hidden gem located in the city of Leicester. You can find it housed in a historic gatehouse at 95 Aylestone Road, Leicester, LE2 7QJ, right in Leicestershire. It sits just south of the city centre, so it is super straightforward to pop over if you are spending the day exploring the area. If you are planning to make a day of it, there are plenty of great tourist spots and historic landmarks nearby. Just a short walk down the road is the King Power Stadium, perfect for sports fans. Head a bit further into the city and you will hit Leicester Castle and the medieval St. Mary de Castro Church, where you can soak up centuries of local history. For museum lovers, the popular Leicester Museum and Art Gallery on the scenic New Walk promenade is close by, packing in everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to dinosaur fossils. If you enjoy medieval history, you can also check out Leicester Cathedral and the historic Leicester Guildhall nearby. Heading slightly north along the River Soar brings you to two huge hits: the Abbey Pumping Station, which showcases impressive Victorian industrial machinery, and the famous National Space Centre right next to it. Whether you want to wander around ancient ruins, explore local culture, or dive into science, you have plenty of great options right around the corner.

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