Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum

The Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum has an impressive collection of over 20 vehicles dating from 1927 to more recently.

Here is a few of the amazing busses and coaches you can feast your eyes on:

• A 20-seater Dennis Ace bus, restored like new to 1934 condition. This bus used to work on the well-known route of Ryde to Alum Bay pre-war.
• A 1939 double-decker converted to an open top, once seen traveling along Shanklin Esplanade.
• Another open topper, once working in Hants and Dorset in 1940 (but operated on the Yarmouth-Alum Bay route in the 60s and 70s) is currently being restored by the museum’s volunteers after being found in the Netherlands!
• A Bristol K-type low bridge bus is their newest addition; this bus is designed to pass under low bridges.

The extensive collection is a marvel to see, with the 1960s to 1990s range often being popular.

There is even a vintage open rear platform Paris bus from the 1930s, displayed together with posters from the time allowing for a small taste of France in a corner of Ryde and the perfect opportunity for an Instagram worthy photo shoot.

The Museum also offers up a beautiful Bus Fare Café ‘Shanklin Steamer’, where you can enjoy light refreshments including locally produced sandwiches from Grace’s Bakery.

Of course, your visit wouldn’t be complete without a trip to their museum shop which sells many transport related items, including books, models, bus uniforms, photographs and postcards.

It’s only a 15 minute walk from our Ryde Pier Head FastCat passenger ferry port and a short 12 minute drive from our Fishbourne car ferry port.

Keep an eye on their website to stay in the loop with museum events and opening times.