Aycliffe Bus Museum
Accredited bus museum in Newton Aycliffe with restored vintage buses, open on selected days and event days and free to enter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Aycliffe and District Bus Preservation Society began with the purchase of a 1958 Bedford coach and the donation of a former Hartlepool double-decker, and it has preserved the public transport heritage of the North East ever since. On 31 March 1981 it acquired a 1964 Daimler double-decker from Darlington Corporation Transport, registered AHN 451B, which is still a centrepiece of the collection. The society became a registered charity in 1982 and a charitable incorporated organisation in 2014, and the museum has been an Arts Council England accredited museum since 2012.
After leaving its earlier premises on Whitworth Drive in 2020, the society moved to Langton Business Centre on Aycliffe Business Park, opening there on 1 March 2021.
The museum now shows seven vehicles, five buses, a coach and a tow truck, six of which once ran for United Automobile Services, together with an archive of timetables, maps, photographs, uniforms and ticket machines. It tells the story of bus services in Newton Aycliffe, one of the first new towns.
Highlights
- Daimler CCG5 double-decker AHN 451B from Darlington Corporation Transport
- Bristol K-type and L-type buses of United Automobile Services
- Leyland National bus
- Archive of timetables, photographs, uniforms and ticket machines
- Restoration work and heritage bus rides on event days
- Founded
- 1980
- Operated by
- Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Society (charitable incorporated organisation)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free and donations are welcome. Heritage bus rides are free on event days, depending on vehicle availability.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum building is wheelchair accessible, but some historic buses cannot offer wheelchair access because of their age. Visitors with specific needs are asked to get in touch beforehand.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
Visitors can step inside selected buses, and free heritage bus rides are offered on event days. The museum describes itself as a welcoming day out for families.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Arriva service 5 passes the bottom of Burtree Road; services 7 and 8 stop near Greggs and Ramsay’s Garage on St Cuthbert’s Way, a short walk away.
By car
Parking available
About 40 spaces on site, which can fill quickly on busy days; overflow parking is on nearby streets.
The museum is at Langton Business Centre on Burtree Road, Newton Aycliffe.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Toilets and a shop are on site, with extra stalls and refreshments on major event days.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Photography | Photography is encouraged. |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors can meet volunteers, see restoration work and step inside selected buses. Photography is encouraged. Visitors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and dogs are welcome. Allow at least half a day on event days; it can be cool indoors. |
