Fireground

The old fire station in Bury has been converted into a working museum where you can actually see restored fire engines and learn how firefighting has changed over the past century or so. It's not massive - you'll get through it in an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're genuinely interested in the history of the service.

What makes Fireground worth stopping for is the hands-on element. Kids can try on helmets, clamber about the engines (when staff say it's alright), and there's usually someone around who'll talk you through what life was like on the job. The collection includes everything from Victorian hand-pumps to more recent appliances, and the building itself has character - proper industrial Victorian brick.

It's ideal if you're based at Burrs Country Park for a few days and need a rainy afternoon activity, or if firefighting history is genuinely your thing. Fair warning though - it's quite small, and unless you've got young kids or a real passion for fire engines, you might find yourself done quicker than expected. The admission situation and exact opening hours aren't always clearly advertised online, so ring ahead or check their social media before you visit. Worth a detour if you're in Bury town centre anyway, but don't reroute your entire trip for it.