Bedworth Heritage Centre

About the museum

Bedworth Heritage Centre is run by the Bedworth Society within the Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses, a Grade II listed complex built in 1840 in the centre of Bedworth. The centre is in The Parsonage, the old home of the parish curate, which the society saved from demolition in 1981. In 1999 the almshouse trustees offered the society the cellar of the building for a heritage centre, and it was opened on 4 February 2000.

The Parsonage has three rooms for visitors. The Nicholas Chamberlaine Room tells the story of the town's great benefactor and his charity, with display boards, a life-size figure of Chamberlaine and models of two almshouse residents in the traditional uniform. The main display room, once the parsonage kitchen, holds exhibitions that change three or four times a year. A third room offers touch-screen presentations.

In 2012 the centre was extended into the ground floor of the neighbouring Nurse's House, which has two exhibition rooms, one of them a recreated silk weaver's cottage with a cast iron range and two looms. Past exhibitions have covered coal mining, ribbon weaving and hatting, the canals, the First World War and the town's schools. The centre is staffed by volunteers and is funded mainly by donations.

Highlights

• Nicholas Chamberlaine Room with life-size figure and almshouse models
• Recreated silk weaver’s cottage with two looms in the Nurse’s House
• Changing local history exhibitions three or four times a year
• Touch-screen multimedia room
• Grade II listed almshouse buildings from 1840

Permanent exhibitions

• Nicholas Chamberlaine and the Almshouses – Display boards, a life-size figure and models of almshouse residents tell the story of Bedworth’s major benefactor and his charity.
• Silk weaver’s cottage – A recreated weaver’s cottage interior in the Nurse’s House, with an original cast iron range and two looms.

Founded

2000

Operated by

The Bedworth Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no charge for admission. Donations are welcome and are the centre’s main source of funding.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is on All Saints Square, next to the pedestrianised shopping area and the almshouse gardens. Bedworth is close to junction 3 of the M6. Boaters can moor on the Coventry Canal, a walk of 15 to 20 minutes from the town centre.

Amenities & dining

The centre is run by volunteers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit