Transport Museum Wythall

About the museum

Transport Museum Wythall grew out of the Birmingham Omnibus Preservation Society, formed in 1973 to save historic buses that nobody else wanted. In 1977 the group became a charitable trust, and in February 1978 it took over a derelict 1.17-acre part of the former RAF Wythall base south of Birmingham. Volunteers laid the access road by hand, the first display building was completed in 1980, and a first preview day for the public followed in September.

The site has grown in stages. A larger building and a café and shop followed in the 1980s, a second hall was added in 1990 with help from the manufacturer Scania, and a car park opened in 1995. The Elmdon Model Engineering Society joined the museum in 1996 and built the miniature steam railway, which has run a full circuit since 1998. After the museum bought the freehold of its land in 2002, a lottery-funded exhibition hall, the Power Hall, opened in 2007.

The collection now includes more than 90 buses and coaches, many from Midland Red and from the municipal fleets of Birmingham and the Black Country, as well as one of the world's largest groups of restored battery-electric road vehicles, such as milk floats and bread vans. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and since 2016 has been a charitable incorporated organisation.

Highlights

• More than 90 buses and coaches from Midland Red, Birmingham and other West Midlands operators
• Large collection of restored battery-electric road vehicles including milk floats
• Power Hall with displays on how public transport changed daily life
• Free vintage bus rides on most open days
• Miniature steam railway run by the Elmdon Model Engineering Society
• Kids Kabin play shed and picnic area

Permanent exhibitions

• The Power Hall – The main exhibition hall shows how public transport changed daily life, with buses, operating and manufacturing displays, interactive exhibits and an art area with bus company posters, models and photographs.
• The Scania Hall and battery-electric vehicles – A second hall with more buses and a large collection of restored battery-electric road vehicles such as milk floats and delivery vans.

Founded

1978

Operated by

Transport Museum Wythall (registered charity 1167872)

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are for normal opening days. Winter openings cost £6 for adults, £3 for children, £10 for a family of 1 adult and 2 children and £15 for 2 adults and 2 children. Main event days cost £12 for adults, £6 for children, £20 for 1 adult and 2 children and £30 for 2 adults and 2 children. Vintage bus rides are free on open days.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 display halls, toilet block, shop and café are on one level with hard surfaces and compliant ramps. The Shire Hall, where operating vehicles are kept, is a workshop area and may have gangways too narrow for wheelchairs. The vintage buses used for rides have steps and were not designed for wheelchair access, but staff can advise which have easier access. Accessible parking is on tarmac close to the admission kiosk, and an overflow car park is used on event days. Guide dogs and other assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs are allowed on short leads but not in the café.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Kids Kabin next to the café has toys, a wooden railway, building bricks and activity sheets, and the picnic area has play equipment, a model village and a milk float children can sit in. The Power Hall has interactive exhibits such as a bus cab with real sounds. A nursing mothers' station and baby changing are provided. The miniature railway offers children's tea and birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the A435 Birmingham to Evesham road, near junction 3 of the M42. Leave the motorway at junction 3 towards Birmingham and turn left at the large island at Becketts Farm; the museum is signposted from there and is close to Wythall's old church.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The cafeteria serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks, with homemade cakes and a burger van on event days and an ice cream kiosk in summer. The gift shop sells transport gifts, books, models and toys. Free Wi-Fi is said to work throughout the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit