LiveWell North Lincolnshire
Crowle Peatland Railway Heritage Open Days marks 400 years since the drainage of Hatfield Chase
19 August 2026, by Suzanne Watson
Journey back in time this September with a special series of free open days hosted by Crowle Peatland Railway to mark a momentous 400 years since the drainage of Hatfield Chase.
Taking place every Saturday at the railway site at The Old Peatworks, Dole Road, Crowle, DN17 4BL, Crowle Peatland Railway is hosting Vermuyden 400 as part of this year's Heritage Open Days festival, England's largest festival of history and culture.
The event runs on the following dates, with the site open 10am–4pm and talks at 11am and 2pm each day:
- Saturday 12 September 2026
- Sunday 13 September 2026
- Saturday 19 September 2026
- Sunday 20 September 2026
In 1626, Vermuyden agreed to undertake the drainage of Hatfield Chase, a vast wetland covering parts of South Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and the Isle of Axholme.
Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition created by North Lincolnshire Museum, tracing the story of the 1626 contract and its lasting impact on the landscape, communities and heritage of the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase.
Alongside the exhibition, daily talks will examine how Vermuyden planned and carried out his drainage works — the engineering challenges he faced, the workforce he assembled, and the methods used to transform one of England's great wetland landscapes.
Angus Townley, Trustee of Crowle Peatland Railway said: "Four hundred years ago, a decision made in a contract between Cornelius Vermuyden and King Charles I set in motion changes that still define this landscape today.
“This is a chance for local people and visitors alike to discover that story — the engineering, the people who carried it out, and the communities who lived through it — right here where so much of that history took place."
Pre-booking is not required, visitors can turn up.
The site offers disabled parking, partial wheelchair access, accessible toilets, refreshments and family activities, and is pushchair-friendly.
Vermuyden 400 is a wider commemorative project marking the 400th anniversary of the 1626 drainage contract, with further information available at vermuyden400.org.uk and on Facebook.
Further details on the Heritage Open Days listing is available on the Heritage Open Day website