Court Barn
Museum of craft and design in a converted Cotswold barn, showing north Cotswolds makers and the Arts and Crafts legacy of Chipping Campden.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Court Barn is the museum of craft and design in Chipping Campden, built around the story of the makers who worked in the north Cotswolds from about 1900. That story starts in 1902, when the architect and designer C. R. Ashbee brought his Guild of Handicraft, around fifty craftsmen and their families, out of London to the town. Many designers, silversmiths, furniture makers, potters and printers have followed in their footsteps.
The Guild of Handicraft Trust was registered in 1990 to collect and look after this heritage. It created the museum in a Grade II listed barn in the town's conservation area during 2006 and 2007, with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund and private donors. The conversion added a reversible mezzanine for offices and archive storage, and the galleries were designed by Gareth Hoskins Associates. About twelve years later a lottery-funded refresh brought new graphics, interactive displays and a children's area.
The collection includes jewellery, silverwork, ceramics, books and furniture by makers such as C. R. Ashbee, Robert Welch, Michael Cardew, F. L. Griggs and Katharine Adams. Court Barn is run as an independent museum and depends on admissions, shop sales and donations rather than regular public funding.
Highlights
- Craft and design from the north Cotswolds since about 1900
- Silverwork and jewellery by C. R. Ashbee and the Guild of Handicraft
- Robert Welch's stainless steel Campden toast rack
- Earthenware by Michael Cardew
- Grade II listed barn with children's area and interactive displays
Permanent exhibition
- Craft and design in the north Cotswolds – Displays of work by makers, designers and architects of the north Cotswolds since about 1900, from the Guild of Handicraft to present-day craftspeople.
- Operated by
- Guild of Handicraft Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | freeFull-time students and visitors under 25 are admitted free. |
| Children & teens | freeChildren are free; those under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for full-time students. |
| Groups (8+ people) | £6.50 per person2026 group packages for 8 to 25 visitors: visit £6.50 per person, with a talk £5.50 per person and a guided walk £6.00 per person extra. Visits can include the Silk Mill and Harts Gold and Silversmiths workshop. |
| Car-free visitors (valid bus ticket or cycle helmet) | £3.50Half-price admission. |
The £7 adult ticket is valid for one year. Art Fund members receive 50% off admission.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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 entrance and exhibition area are step-free and fully wheelchair accessible, and the accessible toilet also has baby changing facilities. The first-floor archive is not wheelchair accessible, but staff can arrange for material to be studied in the main gallery. An induction loop is provided, there is seating in the galleries, and visitor guides are available in large print and Braille. Staff are trained in basic early-stage dementia support. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are permitted in all areas. There is a disabled parking bay near the museum.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
The museum offers children's workshops and a children's area with interactive displays. Primary schools can book visits or takeover days, and the toilet block has baby changing facilities.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The nearest railway stations are Moreton-in-Marsh (6 miles), Evesham (10 miles) and Stratford-upon-Avon (12 miles).
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
There is no public car park at the museum. Parking is available in The Square and Back Ends. At weekends and in school holidays, visitors are asked to use Chipping Campden School car park on Cidermill Lane. A disabled parking bay is near the museum.
- Accessible parking
The museum is beside St James's church on Church Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop selling hand-made items by local designer-makers, including pottery, jewellery and textiles. Toilets are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group visits for 8 to 25 people are arranged through the museum administrator and can include a talk or a guided walk around the town. Gallery guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian. |
