Helmshore is in the Rossendale Valley about 16 miles north of Manchester. By car, take the M66 motorway north from Manchester and exit at junction 8 for Ramsbottom, then follow the B6214 north through Ramsbottom and Edenfield to Helmshore. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
By public transport, the nearest rail station is Ramsbottom on the East Lancashire Railway, a heritage steam railway that runs from Bury. From Ramsbottom you can take a bus toward Rawtenstall (the X41 or 464 services pass through Helmshore) or take a taxi. Rawtenstall also has rail connections from Manchester Victoria via the East Lancashire Railway. The museum itself has a car park.