Crafts Study Centre
University museum of modern crafts in Farnham with free exhibitions, a craft shop and collections of ceramics, textiles, furniture and lettering.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Crafts Study Centre grew out of a plan made in the 1960s by makers and educators to keep a record of twentieth-century British crafts. It became a charity in 1970, and founding figures included Robin and Heather Tanner, Muriel Rose and Marianne Straub. It opened to the public in 1977 in the Holburne Museum in Bath.
In 2000 the Centre moved to Farnham, Surrey, where it is now part of the University for the Creative Arts, in a building at the front of the campus. The collections cover British crafts from 1900 onwards and include work by Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Ethel Mairet, Phyllis Barron, Edward Johnston and Edward Barnsley.
Today the Centre describes itself as the University Museum of Modern Crafts. It holds collections of ceramics, textiles, furniture and wood, and calligraphy and lettering, together with archives, a library and small holdings of jewellery and works on paper. It shows changing exhibitions, runs talks and lectures, and has a craft shop; research visits are by appointment.
Highlights
- Collections of British studio ceramics, textiles, furniture and calligraphy
- Work by makers such as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper
- Archives and library of craft makers
- Craft shop with work by contemporary makers
- Free exhibitions and regular talks
- Founded
- 1970
- Operated by
- Crafts Study Centre (charity), University for the Creative Arts
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry to the shop and exhibitions is free. Small charges may apply to events such as artists' talks, lectures and conferences.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 building is wheelchair accessible, with an automatic entrance and a lift to all floors. There is an induction loop at reception.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
West Street (bus 65)
Farnham railway station is a 15 to 20 minute walk, with two trains an hour to and from London Waterloo. Bus 65 (Guildford to Alton) stops on West Street, a short level walk away.
By car
Paid parking
Two pay-and-display car parks are a short walk away, and there is limited short-stay parking directly outside the building.
Sat nav postcode GU9 7DS. Farnham is 11 miles south-west of Guildford and signposted from the A3, A31, M3 and A287.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The Craft Shop sells work by contemporary makers.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Access to the collections, archives and library for research is by appointment with the curator. |
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