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Closed until 29 Mar 2024
Grampian Transport Museum
Grampian Transport Museum
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until Mar 29, 2024
About
Located in the vibrant village of Alford, just 45 minutes from Aberdeen, the museum boasts an impressive range of transport exhibits, from travelling chariots of the 1800s, to some of the fastest cars ever made. Every season the museum refreshes around one-third of its exhibits – this year's exhibition includes "Kings' Cars", which includes the first car owned by the royal family! Another highlight is 'It's Electric', which gives an in-depth look at the past, present and future of electric vehicles. A few old favourites remain, including our MACK Snowplough, Billy Connolly's Boom Lowrider motortrike and one of our Curator's favourites, the ex-Grampian Police Rover SD1 Vitesse. Our Tea Room serves an array of hot drinks, light lunches and snacks.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
352 reviews
Excellent
241
Very good
89
Average
17
Poor
5
Terrible
0
Wheresmebus
Nantwich, UK299 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We picked up a leaflet for this during a visit elsewhere, and decided to call in en route. Yep, it’s like a Tardis, bigger on the inside then it appears outside. We suspected that it might be heavily automobile oriented, but no, it’s got loads of variety, including impressive bicycle and motorbike collections, one of the Cruden Bay tramcars, (goggle that, it’s interesting), a small Barclay railway loco (just the one), and an awesome beast of a snowplough converted from a US Army WWII recovery vehicle. We had a great lunch here in the café too. Recommended, do call in here and be surprised, ‘cos we were.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate the time you have taken to leave your review. We are so pleased you enjoyed your visit and hope to see you again soon at GTM.
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alasdair M
Glasgow, UK98 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I am a railway and tramway fan so decided to visit both the Alford Valley community Railway and the Grampian Transport Museum on the same day.
I went mainly to see the preserved Cruden Bay tram but was keen to see the rest of the museum. As it is in such a small town, I expected that the museum would be small. I was wrong! The museum is like an Alladin's cave, packed with transport exhibits including trains, trams, cars, carriages, steam lorries, bicycles and motorbikes, putting them in their social context with engaging interpretation.
Many transport museums including Glasgow's Riverside Museum and the London Transport Museum have been somewhat dumbed down in recent years with fewer exhibits and concentrating more on social history than on transport and aiming at general visitors rather than transport enthusiasts. This is not the case for the Grampian Transport Museum. enthusiasts will love the Grampian Transport Museum - but so will general visitors - as it has so many exhibits and as you are able to get up close to them for a good look.
The museum has a very good tea-room too with a good range of snacks and drinks.
The staff I spoke to were lovely too.
Alford is easily reached from Aberdeen by bus and makes a great day out.
I went mainly to see the preserved Cruden Bay tram but was keen to see the rest of the museum. As it is in such a small town, I expected that the museum would be small. I was wrong! The museum is like an Alladin's cave, packed with transport exhibits including trains, trams, cars, carriages, steam lorries, bicycles and motorbikes, putting them in their social context with engaging interpretation.
Many transport museums including Glasgow's Riverside Museum and the London Transport Museum have been somewhat dumbed down in recent years with fewer exhibits and concentrating more on social history than on transport and aiming at general visitors rather than transport enthusiasts. This is not the case for the Grampian Transport Museum. enthusiasts will love the Grampian Transport Museum - but so will general visitors - as it has so many exhibits and as you are able to get up close to them for a good look.
The museum has a very good tea-room too with a good range of snacks and drinks.
The staff I spoke to were lovely too.
Alford is easily reached from Aberdeen by bus and makes a great day out.
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We are glad you enjoyed your visit. We take pride in the preservation and presentation of our exhibits and your feedback means a lot. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Christina_sarah7
Falkirk, UK59 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We visited here couple of days ago and although small compared to the Glasgow Transport museum it was fun and interesting. Felt we could get much closer to the items to view them and a lot of local history in the vehicles. Some really cool cars and motorbikes and old trams and machinery and locomotive and carriages. Worth a visit.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming to visit the museum and thank you for taking the time to post your wonderful review. Our exhibition changes with each season so please do come again.
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Newland
Peterborough, UK15 contributions
Aug 2023
Interesting collection of vehicles covering many forms of historic transport.
This is a smaller museum, but they've made good use of the space and it's well worth a visit.
This is a smaller museum, but they've made good use of the space and it's well worth a visit.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming to visit the museum and thank you for taking the time to post your wonderful review. Our exhibition changes with each season so please do come again
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kenneth M
Elgin, UK1 contribution
Jul 2023 • Family
A great really friendly,informative and hands on museum. From Hobby horse bikes to electric cars. Cafe has really fresh and well priced food. The gift shop has also got bigger since the last time we were there.
The daleks are now in a safe place, can you find them?
The daleks are now in a safe place, can you find them?
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for a great review! We're grateful and love to know that our visitors are having a great time at the museum. Please come again sometime
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David M
Dunfermline, UK2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
I absolutely loved this museum!
As soon as I walked in it was like a trip down memory lane!
The museum has a great range of cars, motorbikes, trams and much more!
Our boys aged 8 and 4 also had a great time (so it is not just for big kids like me!)
As soon as I walked in it was like a trip down memory lane!
The museum has a great range of cars, motorbikes, trams and much more!
Our boys aged 8 and 4 also had a great time (so it is not just for big kids like me!)
Written 17 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for a great review! We're really grateful, and love to know that our visitors are having a great time at the museum. Please come again sometime
Written 4 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Al S
Austin, TX361 contributions
Jul 2023
Superb Museum. Loads of exhibits with tons of great information on everything from bikes , carriages. trams , trains , cars , motorbikes , steam rollers , e-vehicles and more . If you have any interest in transport - this is a must see museum.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn B
19 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Found this lovely museum by mistake.Great for people of all ages and the grandchildren loved seeing cars and bikes that I knew as a child. The cafe is good and has a good choice on their menu.Well worth seeing.
Written 25 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol W
Folkestone, UK89 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Lovely country drive from Ballater to Alford where we spent a very interesting day.
First stop was the Grampian Transport Museum. There is a large free carpark in the square outside which is a plus.
Great variety of transport from the 1800’s to more modern times.
Plenty to see and there is also a nice cafe inside.
First stop was the Grampian Transport Museum. There is a large free carpark in the square outside which is a plus.
Great variety of transport from the 1800’s to more modern times.
Plenty to see and there is also a nice cafe inside.
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming to visit the museum and thank you for taking the time to post your wonderful review. Our exhibition changes with each season so please do come again
Written 28 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ABZReviewer
Aberdeen, UK272 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Very overpriced to get in, far too busy to get to see anything properly and whatever was cooking in the cafe was extremely pungent and could smell it all over.
There are museums much bigger with more to see that don’t charge £25 for a family or £12 for an adult.
There are museums much bigger with more to see that don’t charge £25 for a family or £12 for an adult.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi ABZReviewer, thank you for your feedback regarding your visit to the museum. I’m sorry to read your visit was not to the standard we would have hoped you would receive. Through your feedback we will take the opportunity to ensure our ventilation systems in the kitchen area are working as they should as this is the first time we’ve heard this, I’m sorry this spoiled your visit.
In regards to your comment about our pricing, GTM is a self-funding charity with our only source of earned income being our visitors and despite the high cost of living increases we have frozen our entry and membership costs at 2022’s pricing. However, we keep our pricing constantly under review so we will keep your feedback in mind when we next consider our pricing structure.
During the holidays we were delighted that we were exceptionally busy, but I’m sorry this detracted from your visit on this occasion. As a museum member, you would be able to visit as often as you liked during the open season – as a gesture of goodwill, if this was of interest to you, I would be happy to deduct the cost of your initial visit from the cost of membership. Please get in touch on info@gtm.org.uk and we can make the arrangements for you. Kind regards, Ross (Museum Manager)
Written 28 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bill B
Scotland, UK3 contributions
I would like to know the day rate for OAPs on a Saturday and whether you have disability scooters for hire
GTMAlford
Alford, UK1 contribution
Hello, thank you for your question.
I can confirm that the current concession entry rate is £8. We do not offer disability scooters, however we do have a wheelchair which can be used at no additional cost.
GTM
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Claim your listingGRAMPIAN TRANSPORT MUSEUM: Tickets, Tours & Tips (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Grampian Transport Museum
- Hotels near Grampian Transport Museum:
- (0.10 mi) Haughton Arms Hotel
- (0.26 mi) Beechwood Bed & Breakfast
- (0.23 mi) Bydand Bed & Breakfast
- (0.62 mi) Haughton Holiday Park
- (8.66 mi) Douneside House
- Restaurants near Grampian Transport Museum:
- (0.12 mi) The Alford Bistro
- (0.08 mi) Alford Tandoori
- (0.09 mi) Frank's Fryer
- (0.13 mi) Haughton Arms Hotel Restaurant
- (0.16 mi) Piggery-Smokery