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Rochdale Pioneers Museum
Type:Museum
31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL12 0NU
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The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is widely regarded as the home of the worldwide Co-operative movement.
It's the perfect place to come and see how your ancestors did their shopping. Here in Toad Lane on December 21 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their first little store selling pure, unadulterated food at fair prices and honest weights and measures.
The Pioneers started a revolution in retailing which has played a significant part in our lives ever since. The ground floor faithfully recreates the original shop together with its rudimentary furniture and scales. Here the basic needs of daily life such as butter, sugar, flour and oatmeal first went on sale over 150 years ago.
In the display and exhibition area you can learn of the inspiration the Pioneers received from visionaries such as the great social reformer Robert Owen; see how the profits from the shop were returned to the members in the form of a 'dividend'; and watch the story unfold of the Co-op's subsequent success. The Pioneers used the room upstairs to provide members with further education. Now you can journey back in time as you view examples of early advertising, packaging and retailing artefacts. Special displays feature a unique collection of Co-operative postage stamps, commemorative china and plateware and rare dividend coins and commodity tokens.
| Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
|---|---|
| All | Free |
Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.
Rochdale Pioneers' Museum is situated in the historical conservation area of Toad Lane, a short distance from Rochdale town centre. Brown tourism signs will direct you to the museum from most main entry points to the town centre. Toad Lane is off Hunter's Lane which is best accessed by car from St Mary's Gate. A multi-story car park is located on Hunter's Lane opposite the Museum.
In Rochdale town centre, half a mile from the main bus station and a mile from Rochdale train station.
| Rochdale Pioneers Museum opening times (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Day | Times | |
| Monday - Tuesday | Closed | |
| Wednesday - Saturday | 10:30 | - 16:00 |
| Sunday | Closed | |
| Bank Holiday | Closed | |
* Open to the general public every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday as well as every other Saturday. Please check their website for Saturdays when they are closed. Last entry is 3:45pm. Closed on bank holidays.
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