Museum of Transport in Manchester

The Museum of Transport is a fascinating transport museum that houses a massive collection of buses, trolleys, trams and memorabilia related to the history of transport. The museum also has a photographic archive collection and timetables, maps and plans for research purposes.

Each year, nearly 150,000 people visit the Museum of Transport to see the heritage vehicles and memorabilia. Visitors typically spend 1 to 2 hours touring the museum. The museum is particularly interesting to families with children, but anyone with enthusiasm for history or transport is sure to enjoy the collection.

Museum of Transport in Manchester - one of the highlights of 11 Best Museums and Galleries in Manchester (Read all about Manchester here)

photo by David Dixon (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

Highlights of the Museum of Transport

The jewel of the Museum of Transport is the vast collection of buses, which is one of the largest collections of its type in the UK. Some vehicles are in the restoration process, which can be seen by visitors. The museum also has vintage Manchester Corporation Tramways trams, prototype Manchester Metrolink trams and 2 trolleybuses.

Along with the vehicles, the museum has historic uniforms, vehicle parts, ticketing equipment and transport signs to illuminate the history of transport in the city. You’ll also find artefacts that were used during the filming of ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.

photo by Ed Webster (CC BY 2.0) modified

Good to know when visiting the Museum of Transport

The Museum of Transport is close to the city centre and easily reached with public transport via the Metrolink, trams or walking paths. You can follow the signposts from the Manchester Fort shopping centre. The museum also has a traditional cafeteria for refreshments and snacks, as well as a shop for souvenirs like models, books and toys.

The museum hosts events throughout the year that feature the historic vehicles, such as the Trans-Lancs Transport Show, the Spring Transport Festival and the Christmas Cracker. During some of these events, you’ll find specialist retailers offering books and other goods.

Location: Boyle St, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M8 8UW, UK

Phone: +44 (0)1612 052122

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