Drax Power Station provides the most renewable power of any single location in the UK, some 14 terawatt-hours or enough electricity to power the equivalent of four million homes. To do this, Drax runs on a massive scale. We’ve got 4 operational boilers, as high as a 15-storey office block, a main chimney taller than the London Eye, and over 1,200 miles of steel tubing, enough to stretch from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back again. It’s a site etched on the local landscape since 1974 and on a visit to Drax you can see it all first-hand. Even better, our visits are free, and available throughout the year.
A visit to Drax Power Station offers a captivating and educational experience to a wide range of groups such as local businesses, organised members clubs as well as students in key stage 2 – 4. Regardless of background, all interested individuals can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of energy generation. From start to finish, participants will gain valuable insights into the intricate energy generation process employed at Drax, witnessing first-hand how electricity is produced on a massive scale.
Moreover, visitors will learn about Drax’s social impact within local communities, the pivotal role biomass plays in ensuring energy security and renewable power as well as a look into the future of our BECCS project, the future of carbon dioxide removal which will mitigate climate change and foster a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape. All our visits include an interactive presentation, a bus tour around the site as well as a guided walk inside the very heart of the station.
Drax offers a transport bursary fund which awards grants up to £500 towards the cost of transportation to visit either Drax Power Station, Cruachan Power Station or Tongland Hydro Station. Please use this link to check eligibility and to apply to the bursary fund.
What you can see
Introduction to the power station
How we generate electricity. Before heading off around the station, find out from our expert guides how the whole place works.
Biomass domes
Explore these huge structures – each taller than Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s roller coaster ‘The Big One’ – which store up to 80,000 tonnes of biomass.
Cooling towers
Click above and drag.
Witness the sheer scale of our 12 cooling towers, each one 374 feet high, where water the station uses is cooled and released as clean vapour.
Turbine hall
Viewing on a computer? Click above and drag. On a phone or tablet – just move your device.
Enter the 1,400 feet long hall at the very heart of the plant, where six huge turbines turn the generators to produce electricity.
Frequently asked questions about the visits
- Who are these visits open to?
- How long does the visit take?
- Who accompanies the visits?
- Do I need to bring anything with me?
- Is there an age limit to the visits?
- Is there anything else I should know?
Visits are available for key stage 2 to key stage 4 students in organised group bookings. Please note visits are subject to availability.
We offer a range of options for school and college groups. This could be a full day experience or a 1 1/2 to 2 hour visit in the morning or afternoon
You will be accompanied by members of our Community and Education team.
All Personal Protection Equipment will be provided. But please note that all visitors must be comfortable to ascend up to 90 steps, so sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing are required.
We also require that anyone over the age of 16 years old coming on a visit to DPS must show photo ID to enter the site. If they cannot produce this ID, entry will be refused.
The minimum age is 7 years old.
- Visitors must conform to site security and safety procedures whilst on site.
- Bags must be left in a car or can be stored in the visitor centre in locked storage.
- For more information about data collection, please view Drax Power Station visits Privacy Notice
Visits are available for key stage 2 to key stage 4 students in organised group bookings. Please note visits are subject to availability.
View MoreWe offer a range of options for school and college groups. This could be a full day experience or a 1 1/2 to 2 hour visit in the morning or afternoon
View MoreYou will be accompanied by members of our Community and Education team.
View MoreAll Personal Protection Equipment will be provided. But please note that all visitors must be comfortable to ascend up to 90 steps, so sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing are required.
We also require that anyone over the age of 16 years old coming on a visit to DPS must show photo ID to enter the site. If they cannot produce this ID, entry will be refused.
View MoreThe minimum age is 7 years old.
View More- Visitors must conform to site security and safety procedures whilst on site.
- Bags must be left in a car or can be stored in the visitor centre in locked storage.
- For more information about data collection, please view Drax Power Station visits Privacy Notice
Opening hours
Opening hours
Mon – Fri 10am – the last visit departing at 1pm
School holidays
We often run special events at the Skylark Centre during the Easter, Summer, October and Christmas school holidays. These visits and activities are bookable in advance.
Book your visit now
Please email [email protected] and a member of the Drax team will endeavour to respond to any enquiries within 5 working days.
Map and address
Drax Power Station, Drax, Selby YO8 8PH
