Canvey Island Transport Museum

Housed in a 1934 bus depot at the far end of Canvey Island, this volunteer-run museum is built around a collection of preserved commercial vehicles, many of them buses and coaches from manufacturers such as AEC, Bedford, Bristol and Leyland. Some vehicles are fully restored, and others are being rebuilt in the workshops by their owners or by members of the society. Families can look over the vehicles, browse vintage ticket machines, uniforms, posters and photographs, and watch a model railway layout in an upstairs room. A small shop sells transport memorabilia. The museum suits children interested in buses, trains and older vehicles, and volunteers are usually on hand to answer questions. Because the building is still undergoing a major renovation, some areas are off limits, so it is worth checking the current opening arrangements before a visit.