Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum — Attraction in Ryde

My husband recommended going here after reviewing 'Things to do on the Isle of Wight' on Google - bringing along with us a toddler and a baby. Whilst I was hesitant about what this place could offer, I was not disappointed! The attraction is free to enter with a free car park. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the friendly members of staff and provided information regarding the site (the 'newest' addition was the oldest bus from the 19th Century!) The place is fascinating - displaying buses and coaches from all different eras and the public are allowed to access some of them (getting on top of the tour buses, pretending to be bus drivers etc.) The history behind each coach is fascinating and a lot of people commented in the comments book about how they remembered a few of the buses/coaches from their youth! Not only were there buses and coaches to see but other memorabilia that had been collected - old signs used for bus trips, bus driver uniforms (a large variety), pictures of the coaches in use, engines etc. There's also an activity bit for the younger children to keep them occupied; from lego to colouring in and a Thomas the Tank play track! Within this activity room is a variety of bus/coach/vehicle magazines from years ago (the oldest magazine I managed to locate was from 1986) - to which you are allowed to take, for FREE! There is also a Tardis in the room (which my husband asked for a few shots of him using!) There's also a snack shop at the front - which accepts both cash and card. We were able to eat the snacks on one of the buses located at the entrance of the museum - something my little one loved as he was able to 'ask for tickets' and pretend to be a bus driver. Whilst the attraction is free, there is a donation box to continue funding this project (which I was informed by one of the volunteers has been running for approximately 25 years and hosts annual events later on in the year which has become extremely popular!) I would certainly recommend to those that are looking for a free day out to visit this place - we happily spent a few hours here and...

We planned our visit as the weather was a bit wet and so pleased we did from the moment you walk through the door you are made to feel welcome by passionate volunteers. We went to the tea room at the back of the museum 1st had tea and muffins sat in an old coach which is not something you do everyday🤣 The museum is full of old and interesting buses and coaches you can look in the workshop to see the old buses being restored which is wonderful to see. We sat in some of the exhibits one double decker was converted in a camper with seating and a kitchen downstairs and single beds upstairs this old bus travelled to Europe with paying passengers in the 70/80s. The museum also has a room for children to play and an engine room with some old bus engines that have been removed from some of the displayed buses. This museum is definitely worth a visit it’s a free entry but you can donate...

The Isle of Wight Bus Museum is a lovely collection of buses from yesteryear in what appears to be a old bus depot. The buses are beautifully restored to their former splendour and meticulously maintained by a group of volunteers. All the volunteers are quite passionate about their buses. You are able to step aboard some of the buses and on a couple of them you can even sit in the driver's seat and pretend to drive. You might even find yourself bursting into a rendition of Summer Holiday. Entrance is free which is a very welcome bonus as so many places on the IoW are quite expensive. However donations and warmly received. There is a toilet and a place for refreshments and you are welcome to browse through and buy some of the wide range of memorabilia. A lovely place which brought back a number of...