Grosvenor Museum
Chester’s museum of local history, with Roman galleries, a silver gallery, natural history and art, free to enter.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Grosvenor Museum was founded in 1885 by the Chester Society of Natural Science, Literature and Art, with money and land given by the 1st Duke of Westminster. The building on Grosvenor Street was designed by Thomas Lockwood, and the museum opened on 9 August 1886. A major extension followed in 1894.
The collections explore the history of Chester, its art and silver heritage and its natural history. The Roman galleries show life during the Roman military occupation of the city and include a notable group of military tombstones. The art collection includes 23 paintings by Louise Rayner, the largest public holding of her work.
The museum has been modernised in stages. A new art gallery opened in 1989, a large refurbishment in 1990 led to a reopening in 1992, and a Heritage Lottery Fund grant in 1999 paid for better access and a new shop, which reopened in 2000. Today it is run by Cheshire West and Chester Council as part of the West Cheshire Museums group.
Highlights
- Roman galleries on life in Roman Chester, with tombstones
- Silver gallery on Chester’s silver heritage
- Natural Cheshire gallery on local natural history
- Paintings by Louise Rayner, the largest public collection of her work
- Free entry with a suggested donation
Permanent exhibitions
- Roman Galleries – Galleries on life in Chester during the Roman military occupation, including Roman tombstones.
- Silver Gallery – A gallery on Chester’s silver heritage.
- Natural Cheshire – A gallery on the natural history of Cheshire.
- Founded
- 1885
- Operated by
- Cheshire West and Chester Council
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; a donation of £3 per person is suggested.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- 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 ground floor, including Exhibition Gallery One, the lecture theatre, the Roman galleries and an accessible toilet, is accessible for wheelchairs. The art gallery, silver gallery, Natural Cheshire gallery and Exhibition Gallery Two are on the first floor and the education workroom is on the second floor, and there is no lift. A disabled bay is outside the museum, and a disabled access guide is available on the museum website.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Chester bus station
The museum is a 10 to 15-minute walk from Chester bus station, via Bridge Street and then Grosvenor Street, and about a 20-minute walk from Chester railway station. A Rail Link bus from outside the station to the city centre costs £1.
By car
Parking available · 5-min walk to the entrance
The nearest public car park is Little Roodee Coach and Car Park on Castle Drive, a 5-minute walk away. There is a disabled bay outside the museum.
- Accessible parking
While the Grosvenor Street entrance is closed for maintenance, the way in is the back door on Bunce Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop sells books, greetings cards and historical gifts.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 125 guests.
The Victorian lecture theatre seats 125 on fixed raked seating and can be hired by societies, groups and companies for lectures, presentations and films, with audio-visual equipment included. Disabled access is partial.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A year-round programme of special exhibitions and events runs alongside the permanent galleries, and the museum has a service for schools. Local societies hold talks in the lecture theatre. |
