Portland Basin Museum
Portland Basin Museum is housed within the restored nineteenth century Ashton Canal Warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne. The museum combines a lively modern interior with a peaceful canal side setting. It is an exciting family friendly museum, with something for all the family.
Enjoy our temporary exhibition, Media Circus 30th April - 7th October 2010 and step back in time on our 1920s street, as the sights and sounds of bygone Tameside are brought to life. Take a look into our kitchen and parlour to find out how we used to live. Visitors can explore the area's industrial heritage and discover what life was like down the mines, or on the farm. Find out more about local crafts and industries and marvel at our historic machines. Younger children will love our 'Nuts and Bolts' educational play area, suitable for children under 5.
Museum Collections:
Social History collections comprise over 16,000 objects relating to the social and industrial of Tameside. Many visitors are surprised to find out that only a very small percentage of the museum’s collections are ever on display at any one time. The rest of the collection is kept in storage-especially in the case of particularly large industrial items or very fragile collections such as Natural History.
Reserve Collections
The large collections kept in our museum stores are known as the reserve collections. These can be viewed by appointment. Please telephone 0161 343 2878 and ask to speak to the Social History Curator.
Archaeology
The Archaeology collections include prehistoric tools as well as material from excavations at Staley Hall, Denton Hall, Dukinfield Hall and Houghton Green glassworks. Additionally we hold the Edith Radcliffe collection of Eqyptian, Greek and Roman archaeology.
Natural History
The Natural History collections include the Tinker collection of Mosses, numerous Plant Specimens, Birds Eggs, the Moore collections of Shells and Molluscs and Jackson and Radcliffe's collections of Geological specimens.
Civic Silver
Commemorative medals, trophies and ceremonial robes from across the borough.
Costume and Costume Accessories
Victorian and early Twentieth century costume and accessories including shawls, blouses, footwear, clay pipes, cosmetics to name but a few.
Tools
Tools from a variety of trades including shoe making, printing, hatting and glovemaking.
Domestic Equipment
Collections include vintage sewing machines, washing machines, cookers, mangles and refrigerators, as well as radios, televisions and furniture.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Free Admission
Open: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Open Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 10am - 4pm
Fun Day 11am - 3pm
Planning a Visit
Portland Basin Museum is situated just outside of Manchester, accessible by car, bus and train.
There is a free car park with disabled parking spaces.
The museum is free to enter and is fully accessible. The car park is laid with cobbles, wheelchair users may require support to transfer from the car to the museum.
Please contact the museum for more information.
Museum offer lots of activities suitable for all ages, please see our events calendar.
Directions
Portland Basin Museum is located in Ashton-under-Lyne, just off Junction 23 of the M60. From Junction 23, take the A635 into Ashton-under-Lyne following signs for the Town Centre.
At the large roundabout at the end of the dual carriageway take the 4th exit, and proceed back on yourself up the other side of the dual carriageway. T
The museum is the second turning on the left. Proceed straight across Hill Street and the museum car park will be on your left.
Canal Boat Trips
Portland Basin is at the hub of Tameside's canal network at the convergence of the Peak Forest, Huddersfield Narrow and Ashton canals.
Facilities
Fully accessible
Museum shop
Baby changing
Free car park
Trails and activities for children
School workshops and loan boxes
Cafe - The café at Portland Basin Museum is temporarily closed please accept our apologies for any inconvenience
Picnic tables
Services and Access:
Toilets
There are toilets available on the ground floor of the building, including facilities for visitors with disabilities. We ask for primary school children to be accompanied at all times.
Parking
There is free parking in front of the Museum.
Museum Shop
The shop sells a range of reasonably priced children's gifts. Shop visits need to be made in addition to the workshop, unless requested in advance, and should be made in small groups. Goody bags are available to order in advance and collect on the day.
Access for Visitors with Disabilities
There is complete access to the Museum. Please discuss any other special requirements with the Education Manager
Address:
Portland Basin Museum
Portland Place
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL7 0QA