Visit the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft

Step back in time at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft. Discover the world’s largest collection of trolleybuses, enjoy vintage cinema and retro exhibits, and ride these classic electric vehicles in a nostalgic 1950s-60s setting.

“So, what exactly is a trolleybus?” I ask, ever the curious numpty. I’m at the Trolleybus Museum in Sandtoft, North Lincolnshire. The answer, I’m informed, is a cross between a bus and a tram - powered by overhead electric cables, but running on wheels so it can manoeuvre more easily. But as the last trolleybus service in the UK ended in 1972, I’d never had the pleasure of seeing, let alone riding, one.

Until today.

Founded in 1969 by enthusiasts who foresaw the end and started collecting these buses and their apparatus, the museum is still 100% volunteer-run - but, as well as the namesake vehicles, the museum’s site houses several attractions that make for a literal journey back in time.

The Old Regal Cinema shows vintage films and newsreels, a colourfully busy toy museum, a fully furnished post-war prefab home and a vintage bike shop/museum where I was sorely tempted by a beautiful old tandem. A small facade of shop fronts displaying retro cameras, camping gear, and ladies' fashions hides the museum shop and ‘Tea Trolley Cafe’. Cabinets inside the shop hold smaller, but no less interesting, trolleybus paraphernalia - ticket rolls, timetables and bus-stop plaques - with quintessentially British ‘queue this side’ instructions. Overall there’s a distinct 1950s-60s feel - although the museum points out that it’s not set in a fixed period, and many of their vehicles fall out of that era (their oldest example is approaching its centenary).

Gallery

The museum claims to have the world's largest trolleybus collection (over 50), and it's the only place you can see models from four continents. As one guide joked, “Our foreign vehicles include ones from France, Germany, Canada, New Zealand - and even Rotherham!”

A large oval road encircles the main site, with trolleybus services seemingly running around it every few minutes (you’re given an old penny on admission to cross the clippy’s palm with). The remainder of the collection, in various states of service, is housed in a large depot flanking the terminus, and visitors can wander throughout at leisure. Some vehicles have exposed engines, for the mechanically minded, and two other sheds show renovations in progress.

But it’s the volunteers that made my day - from the drivers and conductors to the projectionist and shopkeepers. Their knowledgeable enthusiasm was infectious.

Even for a numpty who didn’t know his trolley from his tram.

Members receive a 15% discount at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft with the Great Savings Guide. Find out more here.

Stay at: Clumber Park, Poolsbrook Country Park Club campsites

Please visit camc.com/greatsavingsguide for vouchers, discount codes, and pre-booking where applicable, along with terms and conditions for all offers. Make sure to check the site and attraction opening dates and times before your visit or travel.