Visit us
The Museum is now open following a £2.3 million refurbishment.
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday – 10am to 5pm
Sundays and bank holidays - 12 to 4pm
Individuals and small groups do not need to book, just drop in during the museum opening hours. Larger groups and schools must book in advance.
Group visits and the use of the education space can be arranged outside these times, please contact us for information.
Occasionally the displays on the first floor and in the Learning Loft may be closed due to a school/group visit or meeting.
Occasionally the museum closes for staff training, please see below for details.
Closure for staff training
The museum will be closed between 10am and 12pm on Thursday 30 May. It will also be closed for the whole day on Thursday 2 May, Thursday 3 October and Friday 20 December. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Disabled access
The Toad Lane Conservation Area is a traditional cobbled street with stone kerbs and flagged pavements which aims to reflect the era of the Rochdale Pioneers.
There is level access to the doors of the Museum and a lift which enables full access to each floor. On the first floor, there is an accessible toilet.
The Museum staff will be happy to assist with any access requirements that visitors may have, please contact us.
How to find us
The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is situated in Rochdale town centre. Rochdale is easily reached by road from the M62 Motorway – Junction 20 or 21, midway between Manchester and Huddersfield. If using a Satellite Navigation please follow the brown road signs marked ‘Toad Lane Conservation Area’ once you reach Rochdale as the museum postcode is not compatible with Satellite Navigation systems.
The entrance to the Exchange Shopping Precinct car park is on Hunters Lane nearly opposite Toad Lane. See http://www.rochdaleexchange.co.uk/pages.php?pageid=42&page=Car+Park for further details and pricing.
Pay and Display car parks are also available close by off St Mary’s Gate and Hunters Lane. Disabled parking is available off Hunters Lane.
There are good rail, metrolink and bus connections to Rochdale. The bus station is a five minute walk from the museum. The railway station and metrolink stop is a 20 minute walk, alternatively you can take a taxi from outside the station to the museum for around £4. The metrolink currently only runs as far as Rochdale Railway Station but from 2014 will operate into Rochdale Town Centre. For details about all public transport journeys please use the GMPTE Journey Planner
Visitor comfort
Food is served at a number of venues close to the Museum.
There are toilet facilities at the museum, including a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities.
Group visits
Groups are welcome, please contact the Museum to discuss arrangements. Activities such as historical film presentations or workshops can be organised in the education space.
School group activities are organised on co-operative themes, the Museum staff will be pleased to discuss the options.
