Oldham Library
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Oldham
What it’s like
Free sessions for babies, toddlers and Lego fans, plus theatre shows that run from £5 to £10.
Under-fives are well looked after here. There's GoBaby sensory play for pre-walkers, Bounce and Rhyme for the 0-4s, and Craft and Crawl if your toddler's more interested in glue sticks than books. Once they're five, there's a Lego club to sign up for, and if you've got someone older who fancies a go with a controller, the Nintendo Switch sessions are there too.
The theatre side is the bit worth planning around. Cinema, music and theatre productions run through the year, with children's shows at £5, family shows at £8, and Peter Pan priced up at £10, so it's not all free once you get past the drop-in sessions. Drama and theatre workshops run for the 6 to 25 age bracket if your child wants to be on the stage rather than in the audience.
Opening hours stretch late Monday to Thursday, open till 9:30pm, though after 9:15pm on those evenings it's express library access only rather than the full building. Friday and Saturday it shuts at 5pm, so an evening visit needs to be earlier in the week.
Getting there is straightforward if you're not driving. The Metrolink drops you two minutes from the door, and buses run roughly every 10 minutes. If you do bring the car, Waterloo Street car park gives you 3 hours free parking on a Saturday, and there are 8 accessible spaces at Southgate Street. Wheelchair hire is available at the information desk and it's step-free with lifts throughout, which matters if you've got a buggy as well as a wheelchair user in the group.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Babies through to early primary age, with older kids catered by Lego club and drama workshops
- Last entry
- 9:15pm (Mon-Thu express library access only)
- Parking
- Waterloo Street pay and display (3 hours free on Saturday)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair hire available (loan at information desk)
- Getting there by bus or train
- Metrolink: Oldham Central station is 2 minutes walk
- Friday and Saturday closing is 5pm, earlier than the rest of the week
- The last 15 minutes on weekday evenings is express access only, not the full library
- Peter Pan tickets are the priciest show at £10
- Wheelchairs can be borrowed on site at the information desk
- Waterloo Street parking is free for 3 hours on Saturdays only
Plan your visit
Is it free to get in?
Getting in is free. You only pay if you book onto a theatre show, and those range from £5 for children's productions up to £10 for Peter Pan.
What can toddlers do there?
There's GoBaby sensory play for pre-walkers, Bounce and Rhyme for 0-4s, and Craft and Crawl for the under-fives who want to get messy.
Is there anything for older kids?
Lego club runs for ages 5 and up, there are Nintendo Switch games sessions, and drama and theatre workshops for 6 to 25 year-olds.
What time does it close?
Monday to Thursday it's open until 9:30pm, though the last 15 minutes is express library access only. Friday and Saturday it closes at 5pm.
Is there parking nearby?
Waterloo Street pay and display is the nearest car park, with 3 hours free on a Saturday. There are also 8 accessible spaces at Southgate Street.
Can we get there without a car?
Easily. The Metrolink is two minutes from the door and buses run about every 10 minutes through the day.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
Yes, it's step-free with lifts, and wheelchairs can be borrowed at the information desk. There are accessible toilets and baby changing facilities too.
Do we need to book for the theatre shows?
The site lists prices for the shows but doesn't mention a booking link, so it's best to ask at the desk or by phone before you go.
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