Ipswich Transport Museum

About the museum

Ipswich Transport Museum began in 1965 as the Ipswich Transport Preservation Group and has grown from a single bus into a collection of more than 100 large transport and engineering objects. Its guiding theme is that everything on show was made or used in the Ipswich area, and many of the vehicles were built in the town.

Until 1988 the collection was kept in sheds, barns and open storage across Ipswich, and moves, weather and vandalism damaged some of it. In 1988 the museum was granted a licence to use two thirds of the former Priory Heath Trolleybus Depot, which allowed the exhibits to be brought together under one roof. The depot was built in 1936 and 1937 for the Ipswich Corporation trolleybus service, and a lottery-funded refurbishment modernised it in 2001.

The museum is run entirely by volunteers and is an Accredited Museum. It also holds the Ipswich Engineering Collection, with cranes, lawnmowers and models from local firms such as Ransomes and Reavell. Some vehicles are kept in running order and are used on special event days, and visitors can step inside many of the static vehicles. The site also has a restoration zone, a model railway, a children's activity area and a tea room.

Highlights

• Buses, fire engines, lorries, a police car and a hearse made or used in Ipswich
• Ipswich Engineering Collection with cranes, lawnmowers and models
• Entry inside many of the static vehicles
• Restoration zone where volunteers work on vehicles
• Large G scale model railway where children can drive a train
• Regular special event days with vehicle runs and bus rides

Permanent exhibitions

• Ipswich transport collection – More than 100 buses, trolleybuses, lorries, fire engines, bicycles and other vehicles made or used in the Ipswich area.
• Ipswich Engineering Collection – Cranes, fork lift trucks, lawnmowers and models from well-known Ipswich engineering firms.

Founded

1965

Admission & discounts

Standard admission is shown. Season tickets are sold in the museum shop and include entry on special event days, but not the Ipswich Transport and Model Festival. Most debit and credit cards are accepted.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most of the museum is on one level with step-free access from outside. There is an accessible toilet. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the museum.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

An activity zone has jigsaws, a wooden train set and colouring pictures, and children can drive a bus cab, visit a replica fire engine and drive a train on the G scale model railway. There is a baby change table in the accessible toilet. Halloween and Christmas family event days are held.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the former Priory Heath Trolleybus Depot on Cobham Road, on the eastern side of Ipswich near St Augustine's Church. Leave the A14 at junction 57 signed Ipswich A1189. The postcode for sat navs is IP3 9JD.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The Sunbeam Tea Room is open on most open days. The gift shop sells books, models and other items. Cards are accepted in the shop and tea room.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit