The Brickworks Museum

About the museum

Bursledon Brickworks was founded in 1897 by the Ashby family, who ran a builders’ merchant in Southampton. The site had plenty of clay and good rail and river links. A second complex was added in 1903 and the works were extended again in 1935, by which time it produced more than 20 million bricks a year. Clay was first dug by hand and later by machine, and was carried to the factory by narrow gauge wagons and then by an overhead cable system. The former clay pits are now the lakes of Swanwick Nature Reserve.

The works kept running through both World Wars at a lower level, and parts of the site were taken over by the Ministry of Defence. The factory closed in 1974. Its machinery had hardly been modernised during its working life, and the M27 had split the site in two. In 1980 the buildings were saved from demolition at the last moment by a Hampshire County Council planning officer.

A Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £666,300 in 2012 helped to create the museum, and Bursledon Brickworks Museum Trust was registered in 2015. Today volunteers and a few part-time staff run the museum and carry out most of the restoration work. The Victorian buildings still hold the original brickmaking machinery, steam engine and boilers, together with a large collection of bricks, tiles and other ceramic building materials and an archive about brickmaking.

Highlights

• Original Victorian brickmaking machinery, steam engine and boilers
• Large collection of bricks, tiles and chimney pots in a former drying room
• Hands-on displays with Lego, wooden bricks, cogs and a play boat
• Penny arcade using old pennies
• Steam event days with the machinery in action

Permanent exhibitions

• Brickmaking machinery and steam engine – The original Victorian brickmaking plant, steam engine and boilers, together with presses, extruders and other machines from elsewhere.
• Brick, tile and ceramics collection – A large display of bricks, tiles, land drains and chimney pots in a former drying room upstairs.
• Penny Arcade – Old arcade machines that run on real old pennies sold at reception.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Bursledon Brickworks Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices shown are standard admission on non-event days, bought in person at the museum. Gift Aid admission costs £1 more per adult (£8 adult, £6 child, £7 over 65s or student, £23.50 family). An annual membership allows unlimited visits for 12 months, including steam events.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The site is sloping and uneven in places, and the buildings are Grade II* listed. A gravel path leads to the entrance, which has a small ramp. The ground floor route is flat but floors slope and some areas have steps, including one step down to the coffee shop and two steps to the toilets (both can also be reached from outside on level ground). A lift serves the first floor, and visitors who cannot leave their wheelchair are asked to speak to reception before using it. There are four Blue Badge spaces about 100 metres from the entrance, and a car can be parked closer by arrangement. There is a disabled toilet, low reception counter, seating around the museum and large-print panels. Staff are Makaton trained and the museum describes itself as dementia friendly. Assistance is available on request by telephone.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

There are indoor and outdoor play areas, a penny arcade and hands-on exhibits. School workshops linked to the National Curriculum are offered. Children’s parties can be arranged through venue hire. Only side-by-side pushchairs may have difficulty in some areas.

Getting there & parking

The museum is off the A27 between Southampton and Portsmouth, near the River Hamble. Use SO31 7HB for satnav.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The coffee shop is run by a separate operator, which sets its own opening times. The shop is in the reception area. An outdoor play area is next to the café.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Meeting rooms, party spaces and a large outdoor courtyard can be hired, and the site is also used for filming, photoshoots and car or bike meetings.

Plan your visit