Dursley Heritage Centre

About the museum

Dursley grew as a market town in the Severn Vale and prospered through woollen cloth, as many Cotswold towns did. After the decline of the cloth trade, engineering took over: R. A. Lister became famous for agricultural machinery and engines, and Mawdsley's for electrical machinery.

In the late 19th century the Danish inventor Mikael Pedersen came to work for Lister's and developed his distinctive bicycle, which is still admired today. A restored early example is the centre's proudest exhibit.

The Heritage Centre opened at the start of 2005 and is run entirely by volunteers. It stands in the middle of the town, opposite the Market House and St James' Church and next to the restored Jacob's House, which is now home to Dursley Town Council. Its displays show machinery and small objects made in Dursley or closely linked to it, and visitors can browse books and watch local scenes and films on a large screen.

Highlights

• Restored early Pedersen bicycle
• Machinery and small objects made in Dursley
• Displays on the Lister engineering firm
• Large video screen with local scenes and films
• Local history books to browse

Permanent exhibition

• The story of Dursley – Displays of machinery and small objects made in Dursley, a restored Pedersen bicycle, local history books and a video screen showing local scenes and films.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The centre is on Castle Street in the middle of Dursley, opposite the Market House and St James' Church, next to Jacob's House.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit