Aston Manor Road Transport Museum facts for kids
Midland Red buses inside Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in September 2020
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| Established | 14 November 1988 |
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| Location | Shenstone Drive Northgate, Aldridge, England WS9 8TP |
| Type | Transport museum |
| Visitors | 4000 (2022) |
The Aldridge Transport Museum is a cool place where you can see lots of old buses and other vehicles! It's also known as the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum and is located in Aldridge, England. This special museum is run by a charity and amazing volunteers.
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Discover the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum
The Aston Manor Road Transport Museum is an independent museum. It focuses on different types of transport vehicles. You can find it in Aldridge, which is part of Walsall, England.
A Journey Through Time: The Museum's History
The museum first opened its doors on November 14, 1988. A very special guest, Charles, Prince of Wales (who is now King Charles III), officially opened it. He even celebrated his 40th birthday there!
For many years, the museum was located in the Aston area of Birmingham. It was in an old building that used to be a tram depot. However, in 2011, the local council decided to stop helping with the rent. This meant the museum had to find a new home.
So, between October and December 2011, all the vehicles were moved. They went to the Beecham Business Park in nearby Aldridge. This place used to be a factory where dustcarts were put together. The museum moved again a short time later. In July 2013, it opened to the public at its current spot on Shenstone Drive in Aldridge.
What You Can See at the Museum
When the museum reopened in Aldridge, it kept its amazing collection of buses. But it also added more light commercial vehicles to its displays. This means you can see a wider variety of transport history. The museum often changes the vehicles on display. This is because some vehicles are kept safely in storage. So, every time you visit, you might see something new!
Visiting the Museum
The museum is run entirely by volunteers. These dedicated people make sure everything runs smoothly. You can visit the museum on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It's open from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The museum is open all year, except during the Christmas holidays.
On certain weekends, the museum hosts special events. During these events, you can enjoy a free bus service. Classic buses take visitors from Walsall (Hatherton Street) directly to the museum and back. The museum's classic buses also offer free rides on some event days. They might take you to places like the Chasewater Railway, Lichfield, or around Barr Beacon. It's a great way to experience history on wheels!
