Butcher Row House Museum
Small free museum of Ledbury’s history in a timber-framed house that was moved twice, with a boot bath and a rare Regency lute.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is named after Butcher Row, a group of shops and houses that stood in the middle of Ledbury’s High Street. A market had been held in Church Lane since medieval times and gradually spread into the wide space at the foot of the High Street, where livestock was penned, sold and slaughtered. By the 16th century butchers’ shops and houses had become permanent there.
After the High Street was refurbished in the late 17th century, there were calls to pull the buildings down, and an Act of Parliament of 1835 allowed it. This house was one of two that survived. It was stored in the back garden of 14 High Street until it was given to Ledbury Civic Society in 1979. The Society’s members had it taken down a second time and rebuilt in its present position on Church Lane, which is why it is called the house that moved twice.
The house is on two floors and is looked after by volunteers. The objects were collected for their links with the town and include a boot bath, reproduction Civil War armour from the Battle of Ledbury in 1645, Victorian costume, musical instruments and chairs by the Bosbury chairmaker Philip Clissett.
Highlights
- Timber-framed house that has been moved twice
- Curious boot bath
- Regency lute discovered in 2015, restored to playable condition
- Chairs and stools by Philip Clissett
- Reproduction Civil War helmets and breastplates
Permanent exhibition
- Ledbury town collection – Objects with links to Ledbury, including a boot bath, Civil War reproductions, Victorian costume, musical instruments and a Regency lute.
- Operated by
- Ledbury Civic Society
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations towards maintenance are welcome.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is on two floors. There is wheelchair access to the ground floor; the upper floor is harder to reach, so a video downstairs shows what is displayed there.
Kids & families
The museum does not describe specific children’s offers.
Getting there & parking
The museum is halfway up Church Lane, on the right when coming from the High Street.
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
| Good to know | The museum is run by volunteers with a good knowledge of local history. It is halfway up Church Lane on the right when coming from the High Street, in a courtyard off the cobbled lane. Recordings of the Regency lute are available at the museum. |
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