The National Railway Museum was chosen as the location for the UK MasterChef semifinal, filmed in the museum’s Station Hall.
Amy Harbour, head of licensing and commercial partnerships at POC Member, the Science Museum Group (of which The National Railway Museum is a part), shares the experience with POC:
On a chilly November weeknight in 2025, the women’s staff toilets at the National Railway Museum were… well, not your average backstage space. They buzzed more like a dressing room before a premiere: make-up bags flung open, dresses being zipped, shoes swapped, and the odd “does this look okay?” floating through the air. We’d all finished our working day and promptly decamped there to transform into our finest selves. The dress code was “smart,” but let’s be honest, this was cocktail dresses and winter glamour, with a side of giddy excitement. Why the fuss? Because MasterChef had rolled into the museum, and we had seats at the dinner table.
The National Railway Museum, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, had been chosen as the setting for a MasterChef UK semi-final, and it felt like the perfect match. The episode was filmed in the museum’s spectacular Station Hall, where 100 guests gathered for what promised to be a memorable fine-dining banquet. Station Hall itself had only recently reopened, following a major refurbishment that breathed new life into the Grade II listed building. Once a bustling goods station connected to York Station, it had historically served as a vital hub where goods from across the country passed through. Now, it stood gleaming, ready to host something a little more refined, though no less busy.
Watching the production unfold was fascinating. The level of organisation behind the scenes was nothing short of impressive: cameras gliding, crew moving with quiet urgency, everything choreographed down to the smallest detail. And yet, as guests, we were blissfully unaware of any tension bubbling away in the kitchen. It wasn’t until the episode aired that we saw the drama, the time pressures, and the inevitable last-minute panics that make MasterChef so addictive.
As for the food, yes, it was delicious. Beautifully presented, thoughtful and clearly crafted with care. But here’s the inside scoop: by the time it reached us, it wasn’t exactly piping hot. That said, it hardly mattered. There’s something surreal about sitting down to eat in such an extraordinary setting, with wine flowing freely and the occasional camera suddenly appearing at your elbow. It’s slightly disconcerting to lift a fork and spot a lens hovering inches away, but also quite thrilling. A small price to pay for the experience.
And what a setting it was. Station Hall is not just a venue; it’s a backdrop that transforms a meal into an occasion. Dining there means sitting among history, surrounded by the museum’s remarkable collection of royal carriages. From Queen Victoria’s opulent 1869 saloon to one of Queen Elizabeth II’s carriages from the royal train, the atmosphere is one of quiet grandeur, a reminder that travel and dining can both be ceremonies in their own right.
Of course, the real stars of the evening were the contestants, who rose to the challenge with impressive skill and composure (even if we didn’t see all the behind-the-scenes stress at the time). Each dish reflected their talent and determination, and it was hard not to feel invested in their journeys.
Looking back, it was one of those rare evenings that blends the every day with the extraordinary, where a normal workday turns into something cinematic. And now, like everyone else, I’m eagerly waiting to see who takes the crown.
