TAMESIDE is blessed with many attractions for visitors and one that continues to stand out as a top choice for travellers is Portland Basin Museum.
Based in Ashton-under-Lyne, it occupies a 200-year-old warehouse at the junction of three canals and houses a wealth of exhibits chronicling the borough’s history. These include a pre-war street complete with a schoolroom, a doctor’s surgery, a chapel, shops and a pub.
The museum has just been officially awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award – formerly the certificate of excellence – for the 12th year in a row.
To qualify for the accolade, a tourist site must score an average of 4.5 out of five stars in reviews left on the global travel website.
Portland Basin has done this consistently since 2012, putting it in the top 10 per cent of attractions across the world.
As well as having a picturesque canalside location, the museum holds special events which feature trails, demonstrations and a chance to meet figures from the past.
The lower gallery focuses on industries such as mining, hatting, cotton and engineering, while the foyer hosts a cycle of exhibitions which regularly change.
Councillor Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for heritage, culture and digital inclusivity, said: “All of us at Tameside Council are very proud of Portland Basin.
“It’s a top-class museum with lots for the entire family so I am not at all surprised people rate it so highly on Tripadvisor. It provides a window into our borough’s rich and eventful past and fully deserves its latest Travellers’ Choice Award.
“I congratulate the staff on doing such an excellent job over many years. If you’ve never paid a visit, I would strongly encourage you to do so.”
Based on Portland Place, the museum is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free. Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/portlandbasin for more information.