Congleton Museum

About the museum

Congleton Museum opened on 29 June 2002 in the former Victorian police station behind the town hall. Local people had talked about a museum for years, especially after finds such as the Astbury log boat and the Moody Street gold coins. Congleton Museum Trust was formed in 1985, and volunteers raised money with coffee mornings, calendars, walks and talks while collecting objects from Congleton, Astbury and the surrounding area.

The biggest problem was finding suitable premises. In 1998 it was agreed that the refurbishment of the town hall would include a museum in the old police station, which was handed over as an empty shell. More than 200,000 pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund, together with local donations, paid for the work. The Astbury log boat returned from Manchester, and the gold coins came back from Chester.

The museum is a registered charity run mainly by volunteers with one part-time paid member of staff. It was registered as a full museum in 2005 and gained accreditation in 2008. Its displays cover life, culture and industry in Congleton from prehistoric times to the present, including six coin hoards, Bronze Age weapons, the Civil War, the textile industry and the two world wars.

Highlights

• Log boat and Bronze Age weapons
• Six coin hoards found in the area
• Interactive displays on war, revolution and disease
• Oral history interactives about life and work in Congleton
• Charters, photograph archive and Teddy Trek activity trail

Permanent exhibition

• Congleton Museum permanent displays – Life, culture and industry in Congleton from prehistory to today, with six coin hoards, a medieval log boat, Bronze Age weapons and interactive displays on war, revolution and disease.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Congleton Museum Trust (registered charity no. 701430)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum relies on visitor donations.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum says it is fully accessible by wheelchair, with step-free access through the main door and a stair lift for one wheelchair user at a time, operated by a volunteer. The accessible toilet and baby changing are on the first floor, reached by stair lift or stairs. One disabled parking space is directly outside. Interactives in the main exhibition are at a lower level, oral histories are available as audio interactives, seating is provided throughout and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes its exhibits as family friendly, with interactive displays. It offers the Teddy Trek activity trail, a quiz and family resources, and runs family activities during half-term. The baby changing facilities are on the first floor.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the town centre behind the town hall. By canal, mooring points are at High Town Bridge (bridge 75) and Morris Bridge (bridge 76) on the Macclesfield Canal, about 20 minutes' walk.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a shop, also online, selling books, calendars and gifts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 30 guests.

The Sue Dorman Room can be hired by schools, societies, businesses and community groups for 15 pounds an hour or 80 pounds a day; it seats 20 at tables or 30 in rows and is reached by stairs or stair lift.

Plan your visit