Co-Operative Heritage Trust

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Co-Operative Heritage Trust Preserving the heritage of the UK co-operative movement. Come visit us at Rochdale Pioneers Museum & The National Co-operative Archive!

Welcome to the birthplace of the modern co-operative movement, where, on 21 December 1844 the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society opened their store selling pure food at fair prices and honest weights and measures. The business revolution that started here now involves a billion co-operators as members of 1.4 million co-operative societies across the world. Check out our website which covers the museum and co-op archive at thttps://www.co-operativeheritage.coop

The museum is in a 18th Century building on an authentic cobbled street in the heart of the Toad Lane Conservation Area. The original shop has been beautifully restored for the enjoyment of visitors thanks to a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Enter through the green door below the ‘store’ sign and step back in time to 1844. You will be welcomed by the Museum Guides and will see a replica of the store as it would have looked to the Victorian customers, with scales and produce in sacks. You can even dress in Victorian clothes. Wandering through to the ground floor exhibition space you will see the Pioneers’ original minute book from 1844. You will find out about early co-operators like Robert Owen, discover what life was like during in the ‘hungry’ 1840's and find out about Rochdale Pioneers’ principles and legacy. Using the stair or lift in the modern access tower extension, move to the first floor exhibition space you will see a range of co-operative artefacts from delivery bikes to banners. Displays in this area are subject to change. The top floor of the Museum houses the Learning Loft which is used for meeting hire, lectures, workshops and education. When the room is not being used for these purposes, it also houses a screen and seats where visitors can relax and watch vintage co-operative films from our archive collection.

09/10/2026
Last slots left - we have very limited slots for our new Co-op Christmas session this December. Pupils will explore what...
05/10/2026

Last slots left - we have very limited slots for our new Co-op Christmas session this December. Pupils will explore what Christmas was like in Victorian Rochdale when the Rochdale Pioneers lived, and take part in lots of activities to get into the festive spirit.

❄Festive games
❄Christmas singing
❄Learning about Christmas in the past
❄Dressing up
❄Making a Christmas craft to take home

As this is a new session, we're offering 50% off our usual fee, in exchange for feedback. That means that one class of up to 35 pupils will cost just £57.50!

Contact our team to book: [email protected] See less

02/10/2026

We just wanted to make a nice video to celebrate our Little Free Library which is 2 today … and though we tried our best to make it special … we struggled 😂

02/10/2026

This month our article focuses on the Spanish Civil War and it’s links to the co-operative movement.
To find out more, head to the link in our bio

30/09/2026

Putting our all into making these videos for you guys! Who knew working in a museum could be so much fun 🙃😁🙄😂

25/09/2026

Dressing up for all shapes and sizes at Rochdale Pioneers Museum - if the employees haven’t stolen it all to play dress up themselves! 🤣
But seriously, who can resist the dress up section of the museum?

23/09/2026

Check our website to see what events and exhibitions we have coming up

21/09/2026

A new home for some of our largest archive treasures! ✨

Our new plan chest has arrived, providing secure storage for oversized documents, maps, plans and artworks within the Co-operative Heritage Trust collections.

For its first occupant, we chose something particularly special: an indenture relating to 31 Toad Lane, Rochdale, the building that became the home of the Rochdale Pioneers and is now recognised as the birthplace of the modern co-operative movement.

As you’ll see, one of the signatories is a woman. At a time when many legal and political rights were restricted, why do you think she was able to sign this property contract? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. We’ll reveal the answer in the comments tomorrow! 👀

19/09/2026

Today is Saturday 19th September - and that can only mean one thing! It’s Saturday here at Rochdale Pioneers Museum!
Everyone can enjoy free entry all day to explore this extra special slice of Rochdale history 🥰🥰🥰

18/09/2026

Turning into our museum collections! Our collections officer Katy can’t wait to welcome you to our special event tomorrow - we’re offering free entry all day and from 11.30 - 2.30 you can actually handle some of our objects and ask lots of difficult questions about them too 🤓👍😎

Address

31 Toad Lane
Rochdale
OL120NU

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10:30am - 4pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4pm
Friday 10:30am - 4pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441706524920

Website

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