Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester

About the museum

The Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester tells the story of public road transport in the region from its beginnings in 1824 to the present day. Its collection covers more than a century, from an 1890s horse bus to a full-size prototype Metrolink tram, and is shown as a living history experience that stresses the sights, sounds and smells of travel in earlier times.

The museum is housed in the former Queens Road bus garage in Cheetham, one of the earliest bus garages in Greater Manchester. It adjoins Manchester's first electric tram depot, which opened in 1901, and the whole complex is Grade II listed. The Upper Hall was the original motorbus garage added to the tram depot in 1928, while the Lower Hall was built in the depot's rear yard as a washing shed for the bus fleet. After Manchester Corporation Transport left the building in 1955, the General Post Office used it as a vehicle maintenance base.

The Greater Manchester Transport Society moved into the empty building in 1977 and the museum first opened to the public in 1979. It is a partnership between Transport for Greater Manchester, which owns the building, and the Society, a volunteer charity that runs the museum, its tea room and shop, and a programme of heritage bus days.

Highlights

• Historic buses, coaches and trams in a Grade II listed bus garage
• Collection from an 1890s horse bus to a prototype Metrolink tram
• Free heritage bus rides on event days
• 1950s-style tea room
• Greater Manchester transport timeline and library
• Free admission for accompanied under-16s

Permanent exhibition

• Greater Manchester's road transport collection – Historic buses, coaches and trams, with objects and displays covering road transport in the region from horse buses to modern tram prototypes.

Founded

1979

Operated by

Greater Manchester Transport Society

Admission & discounts

Free entry for members of the Greater Manchester Transport Society, museum Friends and Transport for Greater Manchester staff, and for employees of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester bus operators and Metrolink, with proof. No need to book in advance.

Accessibility

• 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

The museum is fully undercover with level or ramped access throughout. Assistance dogs are welcome. An accessible toilet is inside the museum. E-bikes, e-scooters and e-unicycles are not allowed inside.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes itself as a family-friendly attraction and under-16s enter free with an adult. Free heritage bus rides run on event days. Baby changing facilities are provided. School tours come with worksheets for different age groups, and a print-at-home card game, Top Buses, is available on the website.

Getting there & parking

The museum is 1.25 miles north of Manchester city centre at the top end of Boyle Street, just off Queens Road (A6010), next to Go North West's Queens Road Garage. From the M60, leave at junction 20 and follow the A664 Rochdale Road towards Manchester, then turn right onto Queens Road. Public transport is recommended, especially on event days.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Tea Room is styled as a 1950s cafeteria and serves drinks, snacks and light meals such as soup, sandwiches and hot pies. The gift shop sells souvenirs, models, books, toys and games, and there is an online shop. Profits are reinvested in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit