Welcome
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, 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.

Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
1920s StreetReception deskMain entrance toiletsMuseum shopIndustrial GalleryThere is level access from the car park to:
Wharf picnic areaHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
The train station, bus interchange and tram stop are all located in the centre of Ashton, approximately one mile from the museum.
Travel by taxi
Parking
The car park has an old fashioned cobbled surface which means it is uneven in places, but the car park is flat with no steps or ramps.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
The entrance doors are wooden double doors with one side propped open during opening hours. Staff are available to open the doors fully and assist if required. These doors lead to a foyer space and straight ahead there is a second set of double doors that lead to the museum. Access is level and these doors are open.
Getting around inside
Lift to all floors
Ticket/ information desk
Reception desk
The desk currently has perspex screening all around it due to Covid-19
Things to See and Do
1920s Street
The 1920s Street has a series of room sets, some that visitors can go in, some that are viewable through a barrier. The flooring is an old-fashioned style flagstone floor that can be uneven in parts. The street is sloped, and is two metres wide with handrails on either side

Public toilet
Main entrance toilets
Shop
Museum shop
The museum shop currently has a one way system in place due to Covid-19, which is marked out with floor arrows and barriers. Products are displayed on shelves at various heights and there is a low level display point in the middle of the shop. The shop counter is at a low level.

Industrial Gallery
The Industrial Gallery is on the lower ground floor and is accessible via a lift or from the canal wharf side at the back of the building at lower ground level. The floor in the Industrial Gallery is flagstones, which can be uneven in places.
Getting around outside
Wharf picnic area
There are 3 picnic bench tables on the canal-side wharf at the back of the museum which visitors are able to use to eat their own food. The indoor picnic area at the museum is currently unavailable due to Covid-19.
Customer care support
We have one wheelchair available for free use. We have large print versions of our text panels for the 1920s street and the Industrial Gallery.
Please ask at the reception desk if you need to charge a mobility scooter or require any other assistance.
Emergency evacuation procedures
Staff are trained in emergency evacuation procedures including the safe evacuation of all visitors.
Customer care support