Discover the vital role public transport plays in keeping London a green city at the London Transport Museum's Acton Town Depot event
The special ‘Act-on It!' event will be taking place from Saturday the 2nd to Sunday the 3rd of July and coincides with London Climate Action Week. The museum will be opening its doors and will allow visitors to enjoy its huge array of historical artefacts and unique objects, which reveal the story of London and its impressive transport network over the last 220 years.
Globally recognised for its iconic transport network, London has seen the creation of the very first underground steam locomotives in 1860 right up to the present day with a fleet of electric buses.
Vehicles, artworks, maps, and signage at London Transport Museum's Depot follow this amazing transport evolution. ‘Act-on It!' Open Days will show how transport technology being deployed today is transforming how sustainable travel is possible around the Capital.
The open days are part of London Transport Museum's Climate Crossroads 18-month programme, which sheds light on sustainable cities, travel, transport and greener skills moving into the future. The programme is sponsored by Mastercard, Mott MacDonald, Cubic Transportation System and Sopra Steria and hopes to inspire visitors to take action to achieve a net-zero future together.
The event will see interactive activities to demonstrate how even the smallest act can make the biggest difference when supporting the environment. Visitors can also enjoy London Transport Museum's huge collection of historic vehicles such as Tube trains, buses, trolleybuses and trams.
A trail is available to families to guide them around the Depot whilst discovering the wonders of London's transport past. Families with children aged 5 to 12 years can enjoy experimenting with different ways to power transport of the future from wind to solar alongside other green energy as they make vehicles using recycled materials. The ‘Green Street' activities will be available each day from 10:00 to 15:30 in the Family Zone which is on the mezzanine floor at the Depot.
Children aged 7 and under can enjoy storytelling sessions, which will take place five-times each day. Two stories will be told about life in London and how we can make a greener future for the city. Children can meet Poppy, an early electric pioneer and discover her exciting journey to the Museum depot or meet Kayla the Kestral as she and her young son Kenny swoop and dive around London's green areas.
LEGO miniature transport displays will also be on display around the Depot and reveal transport wonderlands for visitors to marvel at. The creators of these amazing mini metropolises will also be available to answer any questions.
Those of any age who would love to have a go at being a train operator can make their dreams a reality in the museum's Victoria Line driving cab and also see two Q stock Tube cars which date from the 1930s and are currently undergoing restoration.
A visit to the Depot would not be complete without climbing on board the London Transport Miniature Railway which will be open all weekend with tickets costing just £1 per person which can be purchased on the day of your visit.
Timed tickets for the event must be booked ahead on the Museum website here. Adult tickets cost £15 and children's tickets £7.50. Children aged 3 and under are free. Concessions are available and include local resident tickets for residents of Ealing, Hounslow or Hillingdon who get 1/3rd off.
SEND Opening:
For families with special educational needs and disabilities, the Museum event will be available at 10:00 and 10:30 on Sunday the 3rd of July and are reserved to explore the Depot in peace, and take part in a sensory storytelling session or hands-on activities.
Tickets for the SEND opening are sold separately. To book please visit: https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/depot/send
