Based at the far end of an historic transport depot in Manchester you will find an incredible "hidden gem" museum that families love for a day out. Children go free inside the Museum of Transport Greater Manchester, which has the biggest range of heritage buses on display in the north west.
On certain weekends and bank holidays you can also head out on a FREE ride aboard one of the heritage buses, on their hugely popular trips out to Manchester and Heaton Park.
The museum itself is based on Boyle Street in Cheetham, in a huge old warehouse at the back of the historic Queens Road Tram Depot. The front of the depot is still used for modern-day buses that head out across Manchester.
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But heading into the museum is a real step back in time - showcasing the earliest form of "bus" used in Manchester - a horse-drawn carriage - to a range of double deckers used across Greater Manchester over the past 100 years.
There's two huge halls to explore, with a number of buses available to jump aboard and experience the old interiors, while there's also an old Metrolink tram from 1992 which you can walk inside too. There is also a vintage tea shop on the site - with a range of affordable treats including sandwiches and pies for just £2 and tea or coffee for £1.20.
The museum first opened here in 1979, as a partnership between the charitable Greater Manchester Transport Society and Transport for Greater Manchester, who own the building. The museum is run almost entirely by volunteers and part-time staff who are enthusiastic about the heritage of all the exhibits here.
Chris Lonergan, 78, is one of the directors of the museum and has been involved from the very first day it opened. He's watched as the collection has grown over the years.
He says: "We have roughly 80 vehicles here now which has grown a lot from when we started. When children come in here it's a joy to see the look on their faces because it's that visual impact of seeing all the different buses of different shapes and sizes and colours as soon as they walk in."
The collection is regularly requested for use in period films, while CBeebies star Mr Tumble spent a whole week at the museum filming a children's show special.
Despite their age, most of the buses on display are still road worthy - and volunteers work to keep them in good shape throughout the year. Different models are taken out on the popular free heritage bus rides that go out on selected dates through the year.
This Sunday, April 16, you can jump on board two different heritage buses - one heading into Shudehill in the city centre, the other to Heaton Park. The buses depart every hour from 10.15 for the Heaton Park route and from 11.13 for the city centre route until the last buses at 4.15 and 4.13pm.
The following weekend, there's special events across April 22 and 23, with a Heritage Open Day circular bus tour every hour from 10am to 4pm. Then in May, look out for bank holiday Monday special bus trips on May 1, 8 and 29.
The museum has racked up rave reviews on TripAdvisor, ranking it as the 14th best thing to do in Manchester out of a list of 255 with many reviewers hailing it a "hidden gem" in Manchester. The most recent review from Tonia H said: "What a hidden gem. An amazing array of buses, administrative paraphernalia, posters, and other info. So many beautiful buses, several which you can enter and explore.
"I’d just been to the transport museum in London which was hard to enjoy with the number of kids and interactive displays. Nothing against the kids, but this was a more enjoyable experience without the noise and digital stimulation. Very nice gift shop with a variety of books, toys, and models. Staff was kind and helpful and the tea shop was welcoming and tasty."
Owen M wrote: "This is the sort of hidden gem museum which is worth a visit. Run by volunteers and people with a genuine interest in the subject matter."
Chris P called it a "fascinating transport museum". He wrote: "The exhibits are almost all about buses, but what a collection! Two large halls filled with buses of all types, quite a few of which you can get inside to look around. Plenty of signs giving you information about them, and various related items & memorabilia all around the outside walls."
The heritage bus rides are free, while entry to the museum is £6 for adults and £5 for students and jobseekers, while accompanied children under-16 go free. Employees of GM bus operators and Metrolink also go free with staff pass.
How to get there
Museum of Transport Greater Manchester is on Boyle Street, Cheetham, Manchester, M8 8UW. There is not an official car park, so you will need to park on streets around the area if you are driving - it is also just next to the Manchester Fort shopping centre.
Visitors are encouraged to use public transport - the Queen's Park tramstop is just along the road. Or time your visit when the free heritage bus rides take place - these stop off in town at Shudehill and Corporation Street. More details about the museum and the bus rides can be found here.
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