Tucked away in the North-West corner of Wales, the Anglesey Transport Museum is a bit of a hidden gem. Situated close to fantastic roads for motorcycling that run through the Snowdonia (Eyri) National Park, the museum is an ideal ‘target-destination’ for a ride-out. Especially so for those based in the North-West and English Midlands.
More Than Just Bikes
The museum itself, as the title implies, covers most aspects of transport: Cars, bikes, trains, agricultural, construction, military and even aircraft. Not just bikes are on show. These in fact form a relatively small proportion of the vehicles on display. All the exhibits are in good order and crisply presented. If you are a more general petrol-head like me, you will love it here.
Just a fraction of what is on display
Vauxhall Lotus Carlton undergoing restoration
Good Selection
As for the motorcycle section, it is small but has some great machines on display. Panther, AJS, Royal Enfield, Norton, Triumph, Ariel and Honda (amongst others) feature. Most of them are located in dedicated area up some stairs and over-looking the main exhibition hall. The walls of the area are lined with period posters, memorabilia and motorcycle-related artwork. It’s a cracking little display.
The good old Bullet
The original Interceptor engine of the late 1960’s
The original Royal Enfield Interceptor. The museum has a thing for mannequins
Tidy BSA greets you on entry
Check on the front suspension set up on this Greeves
A bit more modern. Honda CBR600 race bike
Notable bikes for me were a humble 50cc Tomos A3K moped. I remember when you could order one form your local Woolworths back in the 1980s! Of all places, Woolworths?! This was when I first got into biking. I wouldn’t have been seen dead on one. Back then walking would have been seen as cooler than riding one of these! Poor little A3K. Now, a little over forty years down the line, I actually felt a pang of nostalgia. I am glad that one example has survived in such good order.
Tomos A3K… would you?
The uncelebrated, celebrated
There were another couple of interesting small bikes keeping the Tomos company, notably an Ariel 3. But there was a delicate little Raleigh Wisp as well. Two British attempts to tackle the commuter market. Both were swept aside by ubiquitous, but rather brilliant, Honda Cub range: C50/C70 and the mighty C90. Variously known as the Step-Thru, ‘The Crunchie’ etc..
Ariel 3… better as a washing powder
Sinclair C5… err, just no…
Having just bought a brand-new Royal Enfield 650 myself, the original 1960’s edition obviously caught my eye. The Jubilee Edition Triumph Bonneville alongside also attracted me. You see quite of few of these in museums and private collections. All low, or in some cases delivery miles showing on the odometer. It begs the question; does anybody actually ever RIDE any of these bikes? They date from 1977 and were produced to mark the Silver Jubilee of our late Queen Elizabeth II. She was trained to ride a motorbike during her service in WW2, so it is a more fitting tribute that you at first think.
Panther
Good Value
There’s loads of other stuff to look at, particularly if you enjoy cars from the 1950s through to the 1980s as I do. The military and commercial vehicle display in a separate hall is good too. There is also an engine hall housing a large motor from a train, and outside a Hawker Hunter T8 aircraft. There is a lot to see for the £10.50 (June 2024) entrance fee. Great value.
Crucially for a good biker, the museum also boasts a rather excellent tearoom and restaurant serving hot drinks, snack and some full meals. You can use this without going into the museum, although that would be daft. Seems a pity to miss out!
The next time you are thinking of heading to North Wales on your bike, you would be well advised to make a beeline for the Anglesey Transport Museum.
Words and Pictures: Tony Donnelly