North Dorset Railway
Analysis
North Dorset Railway is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dorset. It was registered in February 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and recreation, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending September 2025, North Dorset Railway reported income of £164k and spending of £103k, leaving 37% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £114k to £164k (+44%), an average of +9.5% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2023, when income rose by 30%. Over the whole period it spent 70% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, North Dorset Railway sits at the 84th percentile: it is larger than about 84% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 78th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Attic Theatre Company (London) (£164k), The Prevo Trust (£164k) and Waltham Windmill Trust (£164k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
Our volunteers are restoring Shillingstone Station on the old Somerset and Dorset Railway, with a section of the original line, to how it was in the 1950s/60s. Work includes the renovation of the station buildings, platforms and railway infrastructure, plus the restoration of heritage rolling stock. We have a small museum, shop and cafe, for the benefit of local residents, visitors and volunteers.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Attic Theatre Company (London) | Mitcham | £164k |
| The Prevo Trust | London | £164k |
| Waltham Windmill Trust | Grimsby | £164k |
| Eurythmy UK Ltd | East Grinstead | £164k |