Saddleworth Museum and Gallery
Local history museum in a restored Victorian mill building by the canal in Uppermill, with family trails, a shop and visitor information.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Saddleworth Museum is housed in the surviving steam-room building of the old Victoria Mill, which was built in 1862. The founder, Roger Tanner, bought the derelict mill in 1959. Volunteers made the building safe and then began to fill it with objects that recorded a changing way of life, and the museum opened as an independent charity in 1962. In the following years it built up its collections, gained accreditation and set up a board of trustees.
In 1980 a public appeal paid for an extension and a canal-side community gallery, which is used for art exhibitions and local events. By 2010 official funding had largely ended and the ageing building was a heavy burden, so the museum opened its own free visitor information centre. In 2014 a Heritage Lottery grant made a major refurbishment possible.
The museum closed in late 2015 and reopened on 17 September 2016. The refurbishment added a glass atrium to the High Street frontage, a larger reception and shop, and four fully redesigned galleries on two floors with interactive displays and children's learning areas. The collection holds about 16,000 items that tell the story of the people and landscape of Saddleworth.
Highlights
- Four galleries over two floors telling the story of Saddleworth
- Walk-in Victorian parlour where visitors can touch objects
- Family trail and activity bags for children
- Collection of about 16,000 items including archaeology and archives
- Visitor information centre and shop beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum galleries – Four galleries on two floors tell the story of the people, events and history that shaped Saddleworth, with interactive displays and a walk-in Victorian parlour.
- Collections – A rotating selection from about 16,000 items, including archaeology, archives, photographs and the Ammon Wrigley collection.
- Founded
- 1962
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £2Concessions |
| Families | £6 |
Friends of the museum enter free. The canal-side community gallery is free to view but is closed for refurbishment at present.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The galleries are wheelchair friendly, with gentle sloping ramps where needed, a dedicated wheelchair lift to all floors, an emergency exit procedure for wheelchair users on every floor and an accessible toilet. Seating is available in the galleries. The museum says access for disabled visitors is one of its priorities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | £6 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Families can ask at reception for a family trail or an activity bag for children. The galleries have dressing-up, colouring and weaving areas, discovery drawers and a walk-in Victorian parlour where objects can be touched.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
High Street bus stops
Uppermill has bus services from Manchester, Ashton, Oldham and Huddersfield, with stops on both sides of High Street less than 200 yards from the museum. The nearest railway station is Greenfield, a little over half a mile away on the Manchester to Huddersfield line. The nearest tram stop, Oldham Mumps, is 6 miles away.
By car
Free parking
The car park outside the museum is controlled by the council with a 3-hour limit between 8am and 8pm. A free alternative is a 5 to 10 minute walk away near Saddleworth Pool and Leisure Centre, Merlewood Avenue (OL3 6HG).
The museum is beside the A670. The community gallery overlooks the mooring basin near lock L21W on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. From the M62, leave at junction 20 (Oldham) from the west or junction 22 (Saddleworth) from the east.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells local crafts, books, maps and walking guides. A free visitor information centre in the building offers local information.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The canal-side community gallery can be hired for events and exhibitions; it is closed for refurbishment at present and hire enquiries go to the curator.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The telephone line is not always staffed, so the museum asks visitors to email the curator. The museum offers learning activities and school programmes. |
