Portland Basin Museum

A restored 19th century Ashton Canal warehouse in Ashton-under-Lyne, the Portland Basin Museum offers a family-friendly day out and plenty of local history. Celebrating Tamesides’ past over the last 200 years, the museum explores the people, events and industries of Ashton.

Explore the replica street, including a pub, schoolroom, terraced home and chippy, to experience life in 1920’s Ashton-under-Lyne and learn about the past production of goods in the area, from hats to coal. Portland Basin Museums canalside location makes it a perfect place for a stroll too, with working boat moorings and regular canal trips from the warehouse building. There’s also a souvenir shop and a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of tea and watch the boats through the window.

Outer Pennine Ring

Ashton-under-Lyne is well known for its canal which was saved from dereliction in the 1970s and is now an integral part of the Outer Pennine Ring. At almost 7 miles long, Ashton canal now connects the town to Manchester City Centre offering some interesting sights including a mixture of industrial and modern architecture and is a great place to walk, jog, or cycle.

If you’d like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the towns and cities, the Outer Pennine Ring can be followed across the Pennines between both Manchester, Leeds and Castleford, for an easy escape to the countryside.

Daisy Nook Country Park

Technically in Failsworth but just an 8-minute drive from the Ladysmith Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne, Daisy Nook Country Park offers 40 hectares of countryside to explore. Discover woodlands and meadows, canals, rivers and a lake.

With plenty of picnic spots and two play areas, Daisy Nook Country Park is the perfect place to take the family for a fun-packed day-out. It’s also an ideal location for orienteering as there is a permanent course and plenty of footpaths and bridleways linking to the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also spend the day birdwatching or fishing at one of the three angling ponds before popping for a snack and some refreshments at the country park Cafe.

Museum of the Manchester Regiment

Another local history attraction, the Museum of the Manchester Regiment is certainly one of the best things to do in Ashton-under-Lyne. The town hall venue offers a full programme of interactive activities, family events, and exhibitions showcasing a collection of weapons, medals, uniforms and other artefacts.

Explore the day-to-day life of generations of Manchester Regiment soldiers over the past 200 years and delve into your family military history. The museum is also home to a First World War trench, so you can experience how difficult life on the Western Front may have been.

Ashton Market

The famous Ashton Market on Bow street in the town centre is a must-do when visiting Ashton-under-Lyne. With both indoor and outdoor stalls, Ashton Market is one of the busiest markets in the North West and offers a wide range of quality goods from old-fashioned sweets, to unique gifts, baby clothes, fresh fruit & veg, fish and meat. The market also hosts weekly farmers’ and flea markets and is a great place to pick up some local produce.

So, whether you’ve recently moved to Ashton-under-Lyne or you’re a long-established local, you’ll always find something fun to do. For more information regarding our new SureStore self-storage facility, arguably one of the town’s most exciting attractions, contact our friendly team on 0161 260 3045.