School visits

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum in Rochdale is full of stories about the fire service. It has several focal points for education visits including:

  • Victorian Street complete with fire station, insurance office and fire equipment suppliers.
  • Full size fire appliances with equipment, models, medals, photographs, insignia and memorabilia relating to James Braidwood and Alfred Tozer.
  • Blitz scene.
  • An archive section with photographs, cine film, video, audio-tapes and printed material.

 

Schools are welcome to visit the Museum and visits are free. The Museum is quite small so the format for a school visit is a tour given by volunteers who staff the museum, followed by an education session chosen from a menu of activities. Teachers are encouraged to discuss their precise requirements with Museum staff before a visit.

The main themes for education visits for primary schools are:

  • The Great Fire of London
  • Victorians
  • Second World War
  • People who help us, safety
  • Art and Design
  • Science

At secondary level, the Museum can support diploma students by providing live briefs for ICT and Creative and Media Projects. Volunteers are happy to discuss requirements with schools and tailor visits to meet specific needs.

The Museum welcomes visits from schools and offers preview sessions so that teachers can familiarise themselves with the environment and the displays. It is also helpful for Museum volunteers to meet teachers and discuss their requirements and expectations on the visit.
Contact us
Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
Maclure Road
Rochdale
OL11 1DN

Tel/Fax:
01706 901227 (Answerphone)

Email: museum@
manchesterfire.gov.uk

View Museum location on a map.

Note: Visitors should access the Museum via the fire station yard entrance on Richard Street

Links to...
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service website

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
Booking information

Admission is free and visiting times are every Friday (except bank holidays) 10am - 4pm and the first Sunday of every month. To arrange an educational visit, please contact the Museum at museum@manchesterfire.gov.uk or by calling 01706 901 227.

We are happy to accommodate group visits but recommend no more than 25 children or young people per group. Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum is a member of the Association of Independent Museums, and of Fire Heritage Network UK. 

Visitor numbers
The Museum is on the site of Rochdale Fire Station, an operational Fire Station. The Museum is small but packed full of fire engines, uniforms, fire safety equipment, a Blitz tableau and there is even a Victorian Street complete with fire station so it can get quite crowded. Visitor numbers are limited for safety reasons with 25 being the ideal. There is a classroom on site for educational sessions following a tour.