Portland Basin Museum
BEST FOR
Ages 0-5
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Ashton-under-Lyne
What it’s like
A recreated 1920s street and a hands-on play area for under-fives, free to walk round in Ashton-under-Lyne.
You wander down a rebuilt 1920s street complete with the sounds of the era, then poke about a kitchen and parlour set up as they'd have looked decades ago. There's a chunk on the area's industrial past too, mining, farm life, old machines and local crafts, though with under-fives in tow you'll likely spend most of your time in the "Nuts and Bolts" play area, which is built for that age group specifically.
It's free entry, which for a wet Tuesday with a toddler is hard to argue with. Given the age range on the exhibits leans young (this one's really pitched at the under-5s), don't expect much to hold a seven-year-old's attention beyond the street scene, but for a pushchair-age crowd it's an easy couple of hours. There's a café on site and a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own.
Parking's free and on site, which helps, but it's cobbled and the museum flags that wheelchair users might need a hand getting from car to door. It also gets properly busy on event days and during school holidays, so a term-time weekday is the calmer bet. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 till 4, closed Mondays, and shut over Christmas and New Year but open for the other bank holidays.
If you're coming by public transport it's a 15 to 20 minute walk from either the bus or train station in Ashton, so factor that into a buggy nap schedule.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 5, the play area and street scene are pitched at this age
- Parking
- Free on site. Note car park can get very busy on event days and during school holidays
- Wheelchairs
- Fully accessible. Car park has cobbles, wheelchair users may require support to transfer from car to museum
- Getting there by bus or train
- 15-20 minute walk from Ashton-under-Lyne bus station and train station
- Aimed squarely at under-5s, so older siblings may run out of interest fast
- Term-time weekdays are the quieter bet, avoid school holidays if you can
- Group visits and guided tours are booked by phone, not online
- Baby change facilities are on site
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
It's free entry.
What are the opening hours?
Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Closed Mondays.
Is it open on bank holidays?
Yes, all of them except Christmas and New Year.
Is there anywhere to park?
Free parking on site, but it can fill up fast on event days and school holidays. The car park itself is cobbled.
Is it suitable for a toddler?
It leans that way. The 'Nuts and Bolts' area is aimed specifically at under-5s, alongside the 1920s street and period rooms.
Do we need to book?
Not for a normal visit. Group visits and guided tours need a phone call to arrange.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs?
The museum itself is fully accessible, though the cobbled car park means wheelchair users may need some support getting from the car to the door.
Is there food there?
There's a café on site, and a picnic area if you'd rather bring your own.
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