Ashwell Village Museum
A volunteer-run local history museum in a timber-framed house on Swan Street, Ashwell, telling the story of the village from the Stone Age to today.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum in Ashwell began with two schoolboys, John Bray and Albert Sheldrick, who collected Roman remains and other relics from the surrounding district while they were pupils at the Merchant Taylors' School. A circular of 1927 records the start of their collection, and after it was shown at a church fete in 1928 a committee was formed to find it a permanent home.
The collection moved into an almost derelict house on Swan Street that had been bought from the village butcher for £25. When the plaster was stripped away, a half-timbered building of about 1500 came to light. Sir William Gentle, a former Ashwell resident, paid for its full restoration, and the museum opened to the public on 30 November 1930. The building was later known as the Town House and had served the village in many ways, including as a meeting place for parish officers, a plait school, a tailor's shop and a home.
The small house soon became too crowded for the growing collection, so an extension opened in 1983 and further building followed, partly paid for by a Heritage Lottery grant in 2000. The displays follow the story of the village from the Stone Age to the present day. The museum is run by volunteer trustees as a registered charity.
Highlights
- A half-timbered house of about 1500 on Swan Street
- Local history from the Stone Age to the present day
- A collection started by two schoolboys in the 1920s
- Guided village walks that can be combined with a visit
Permanent exhibition
- Village life from the Stone Age to today – Displays on the history of Ashwell and its people, from prehistoric and Roman finds to everyday life in the village in recent times.
- Founded
- 1930
- Operated by
- Ashwell Museum (registered charity run by volunteer trustees)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Guided village walk combined with a museum visit | £6Per person, for groups by prior arrangement. |
|---|
Entry is currently free, but the museum asks for a donation of at least £2.50 per adult to help keep it open.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Wheelchair access is partial because the original building is a historic timber-framed house. An accessible toilet and assistance dogs are listed in the Historic England visitor information. Visitors with specific access needs should call before visiting.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
On-street parking in the village.
The museum is on Swan Street in the centre of Ashwell.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups of any size or age can visit by prior arrangement, and guided walks round the village can be added to a museum visit. |
