Fireground Museum, Maclure Road, Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL11 1DN. Paid entry

Details

Accessibility

https://www.fireground.org.uk/visitor-information/access-statement/

Male, female and fully-compliant accessible toilets are provided on the ground floor close to the secondary entrance, with a further accessible toilet inside the café. Free onsite parking for visitors is provided, with space for around 40 cars including two nominated Blue Badge parking spaces immediately outside the secondary entrance to the Museum building. However, on certain special event days Blue Badge parking only is permitted

Brief description

"The Museum tells the story of firefighting, particularly in the Greater Manchester region. The area has played a significant role in the story of fire brigades and fire engineering. Manchester formed England’s first municipal fire service in 1826, whilst the country’s earliest motorised fire engine was delivered to Eccles in 1901.

The museum building, former Rochdale Fire Station. Pioneering and innovative chief fire officers such as Alfred Tozer and George Parker in Manchester, John Eccles of Rochdale and Albert Bentley in Salford helped forge the reputation of our local fire brigades through their revolutionary measures and technical skills. In later years, the Greater Manchester Fire Service (now Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service) continued these traditions through its high-level safety campaigning and proud operational record.

Over the past 200 years, our local fire services have had to deal with every type of incident, from house fires to cotton mill blazes, from all kinds of industrial fires to major ship, road, rail and aircraft incidents, as well as two world wars and terrorist incidents of national significance. 

The area was also noted as an important centre of manufacture for fire engines, fire hose and equipment. Companies such as William Rose, John Morris and Mather & Platt achieved universal success in their particular fields.

Twenty-five larger exhibits make up the appliance fleet, supported by many other items of firefighting equipment, uniforms, models, medals and insignia, paintings, curios and other objects. The Museum also holds several items related to the famous Tozer family of fire chiefs.

Originally opened in 1983 as the Brigade Museum of Greater Manchester County Fire Service, the Museum has operated as an independent, charitable trust since 2010. Through a unique Partnership Agreement, the Museum Trust retains its close ties with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, which is a major stakeholder and corporate member and which provides an annual support grant to the Museum.

The Museum is affiliated to Fire Heritage Network UK (FHNUK), the Association of Independent Museums and the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society. The Museum also serves as the head office for FHNUK and its Curator is currently Secretary of the Network.

In 2010, the Museum was awarded full accreditation from Visit England under the VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme) arrangements and in 2014 was awarded the Quality Badge of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

The Museum offers educational visits for pupils and students of all ages from reception to A-level. Regular topics include The Great Fire of London, People Who Help Us, Victorians, Uniforms and The Blitz. Please visit Our Education Services pages for further details of how to arrange a visit, plus study material and summaries of the topics we can cover. The Museum offers educational visits for pupils and students of all ages from reception to A-level. Regular topics include The Great Fire of London, People Who Help Us, Victorians, Uniforms and The Blitz. Please visit Our Education Services pages for further details of how to arrange a visit, plus study material and summaries of the topics we can cover.

For Visitor Information. Local Brigade History, Forthcoming Events, or Shop Sales, or if you wish to Contact Us , please follow the appropriate links."

Address

Fireground Museum, Maclure Road, Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL11 1DN

Email

museum@fireground.org.uk

Phone

01706 341219 (with voicemail)

Website

https://www.fireground.org.uk/  

Directions

"The Museum is located in a restored 1933 former fire station building, a short distance from Rochdale town centre, Greater Manchester. Despite its age, the building has recently (2021) been fully refurbished to provide up-to-date visitor facilities and comfort whilst retaining most of its original features.

Free onsite parking for visitors is provided, with space for around 40 cars including two nominated Blue Badge parking spaces immediately outside the secondary entrance to the Museum building.

However, on certain special event days Blue Badge parking only is permitted; other visitors can park for free on the nearby Central Retail Park (vehicle access via Oldham Road) with a short pedestrian route to our Richard Street entrance.

Coach parking is permissible when space permits, pre-booking is advisable."

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

2024: "Thursdays-Saturdays, 10am to 4pm (advisable last entry 3pm) with occasional special events on other days." See https://www.fireground.org.uk/visitor-information/visiting-the-museum/

Transport

2024: "The Museum is situated very close to Rochdale main line railway station (Station Road, 150m), and directly opposite the “Rochdale Railway Station” Metrolink tram stop on Maclure Road (trams from Manchester via Oldham). Frequent buses from Oldham, Bury and Manchester also pass close by (nearest stop Station Road, 150m).

Surrounding streets are level, but the route from the town centre is up a steep hill (Drake Street). If driving, please follow the one-way road system in the streets around the Museum and beware of trams."

Amenities

Fireground Cafe https://www.fireground.org.uk/visitor-information/fireground-cafe/

Maclure Rd

Rochdale

OL11 1DN

 A number of interactive displays are provided including control room and driving simulators, both wheelchair accessible.

The children's play area includes dressing-up corner, a sliding pole with soft-play surround and sit-in toy fire engines.

Toilets

Male, female and fully-compliant accessible toilets are provided on the ground floor close to the secondary entrance, with a further accessible toilet inside the café.

Baby-change facilities are provided in the toilet area.

Catering

The Museum cafe (adjacent to main entrance) is available during museum opening hours for drinks, sandwiches, hot and cold snacks and ice cream etc. Seating is available for approximately 24 patrons with additional tables provided in an outside seating area accessible from the cafe through a level doorway.

Eating and drinking is not permitted inside the Museum exhibition areas.

Shop

A self-service shop is situated in the main reception area, selling books, models, toys and other relevant souvenirs. Whilst this is approachable by wheelchairs etc., staff are always on hand to assist customers.

Library and Archive

A library and research facility is provided for use by prior appointment. This is located at ground floor level, with access via a slight ramp.

Education Suite

This is located on the first floor, with access via stairs or lift. Moveable seating and tables for up to 50 students is available, as well as full AV facilities, hearing loop, wash-hands and brew area, water cooler and dedicated toilets.

Outside facilities

A small garden/external seating area is provided on one side of the car park. This is accessible up a slight ramp (width 48ins/1200mm), with overhanging roof eaves to be aware of. Fixed wooden benches are provided on two sides. The ground surface is riven stone flags.

Additional Information

The Museum is of modest size, with friendly and experienced volunteer staff, mostly former firefighters, who are able to explain all the displays and exhibits, as well as deal with any situation or problem which may occur. Trained first-aiders and a defibrillator are available and all staff will personally ensure the safety of visitors in case of emergency.

Should any aspect of our service fall short of expectations, particularly for visitors with greater accessibility requirements, we will be pleased to hear of this at the time, with a view to providing a satisfactory resolution..