Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum

The museum displays about 20 restored buses and coaches in a former depot building and traces how public transportation developed on the island. The collection ranges from early vehicles through later models, showing the technical changes that occurred in bus design and operation.

The museum was founded in 1997 when volunteers began collecting buses to preserve the island's transportation heritage. The move to its current location in 2015 allowed for better display and care of the growing collection.

Historic advertising boards from island coach services reveal how tourism and local commerce shaped transportation routes across the island. These signs show the routes and destinations that once defined travel for residents and visitors alike.

The museum is easy to reach by car or public transport with parking available on site. Inside you will find seating areas, a gift shop, and a café where you can rest and have refreshments.

A standout piece is a 1934 Dennis Ace bus that has been restored to its original appearance and once carried passengers on the coastal route between Ryde and Alum Bay. This vehicle demonstrates the craftsmanship and design quality from the early days of modern bus travel.

Location: Newport

Inception: 1997

Address: The Bus Depot, Ryde PO33 2BE

Website: http://iwbusmuseum.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 50.70460,-1.29057

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:08