Anson Engine Museum

About the museum

The Anson Engine Museum stands on the site of the old Anson Colliery in Poynton, Cheshire, where coal was mined from the 16th century until the Poynton collieries closed in 1935. It grew out of the hobby of Les Cawley and Geoff Challinor, who collected and demonstrated stationary engines. The original museum building dates from 1986 and the museum was established in 1987. It is run by the Anson Museum Trust, a registered charity, with the help of volunteers.

The collection tells the story of the internal combustion engine and of engineering in general. It includes rare and historic engines from the National Collection, among them the largest running Crossley atmospheric engine and the Mirrlees No 1, described as the first diesel engine built in the United Kingdom. Engines are run on every open day, and the museum has a steam section in its Memorial Building, with engines used to drive a printing press and a typical workshop.

The museum also keeps the social history of Poynton, with a large model of the village around 1900 built by volunteers that shows the surrounding collieries, photographs and local memories. Craftsmen give regular demonstrations of blacksmithing and bodging, and the site has a tearoom, shop and a meeting room used as a cinema. Its roof is being replaced during 2026 and parking is limited while the work continues.

Highlights

• One of the largest engine collections in Europe
• Largest running Crossley atmospheric engine
• Mirrlees No 1, the first diesel engine built in the United Kingdom
• Steam engine section in the Memorial Building
• Giant volunteer-built model of Poynton around 1900 showing the collieries
• Live demonstrations of blacksmithing and bodging

Permanent exhibitions

• Engine collection – Historic stationary and steam engines, many running on open days, including rare examples from the National Collection.
• Model of Poynton – A large volunteer-built model of Poynton around 1900 showing the local collieries and village life.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Anson Museum Trust Limited

Admission & discounts

Standard adult ticket £8; £10 on event days. Members of the Friends of the Anson scheme are admitted free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The buildings have wide doorways and a single-level floor throughout. The stone car park is flat but may be uneven, and visitors can be dropped off outside the front door; designated Blue Badge spaces are next to the entrance. A wheelchair and a mobility scooter can be borrowed if booked in advance by phone. Chairs are provided around the museum, staff will accompany visitors and describe the machinery, and a large print guide is available. There is no induction loop. The toilet block is accessible for wheelchair users, but the toilet with grab rails is not fully adapted to current standards. Running engines can be noisy and smell of oil. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Free children's fun sheets and a quiz are available, along with a brass rubbing area. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times because of the moving parts, with a maximum of 3 children per adult. Running engines can be loud.

Getting there & parking

Visitors can be dropped off outside the front door. The museum stands on Anson Road in Poynton.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Tearoom selling drinks and confectionery, and a shop selling gifts, books and videos. Free wi-fi is available. Groups can pre-order sandwiches or a buffet.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit