Langwith Whaley Thorns Heritage Centre
Small volunteer-run heritage centre in Whaley Thorns with village artefacts, old photographs and family history help, open on Wednesdays.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The heritage centre goes back to local historian Tony Warrener and the councillor's son John Hyatt, who began collecting material about the villages of Langwith, Nether Langwith and Whaley Thorns after the colliery closed. Their first displays of farm tools, mining and household items were set up in the old infant school on Portland Road, and a local museum opened in the former Methodist chapel on West Street in 2006 after a Heritage Lottery grant. It closed in 2012 because funds could no longer be raised.
The remaining collection was saved when the Langwith Whaley Thorns Heritage Association leased the old Phoenix Centre at the railway station car park. The association is a voluntary group that records and shares the heritage of Whaley Thorns, Langwith and the surrounding area. Today the centre is in the building behind the village hall on Portland Road.
Visitors can see a small display of village objects, paintings by John Hyatt and an archive of more than 3,500 old photographs that can be viewed or bought. The association also sells local history books, including Tony Warrener's histories of the villages, the First World War munitions factory and the war memorials, and offers a paid family history research service and guided heritage walks.
Highlights
- Small display of village artefacts
- Archive of more than 3,500 old photographs to view or buy
- Paintings by founder John Hyatt
- Family history research service on Wednesdays
- Local history books on Langwith, the cotton mill and the war memorials
- Free heritage walks starting from the centre
Permanent exhibition
- Village artefacts and photograph archive – A small display of objects from Langwith and Whaley Thorns, with over 3,500 old photographs and paintings by John Hyatt.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Langwith Whaley Thorns Heritage Association
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; donations are appreciated because the centre receives no outside funding.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- 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 entrance is in the building behind the village hall, reached by crossing the car park to the steps on the right-hand side of the building. No further access information is published.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Langwith-Whaley Thorns station
Langwith-Whaley Thorns station on the Robin Hood Line (Worksop to Nottingham). Bus routes 23B and B23 (Mansfield), BN23 (Langwith) and A82 (Chesterfield).
By car
Parking available
The centre is reached across the village hall car park.
Whaley Thorns lies north of the A632 between Cuckney and Bolsover and south of the A616 between Cuckney and Clowne.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A genealogist is at the centre on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 15:00. A paid research package is available to trace one side of a family tree back to at least the 1880s, also by email or telephone. Free guided heritage walks of under 5 miles start and finish at the centre on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 10:00. |
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