Leominster Museum
Free, volunteer-run local museum in a former mission hall, telling the story of Leominster from early times to today, with works by John Scarlett Davis.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Leominster Museum grew out of a local wish to bring together historic objects that were then held in private hands. In 1970 a group of townspeople formed a charitable trust, raised money by public subscription and bought a former motorcycle repair workshop. The building dated from 1855, when it was put up as a mission hall for the many navvies building the local railways. It opened as a museum on 1 April 1972.
The museum has been independent of public funding from the start and is run entirely by volunteers. In 2015 the trust was replaced by a charitable incorporated organisation, and the handover was completed in March 2016.
The collection includes an Iron Age burial and other early finds, but its strength lies in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: agriculture, crafts, trade, industry, home life, transport and both world wars. It also holds local maps, scanned photographs of the town taken by Thomas Henry Winterbourn around 1900, and a major group of paintings and drawings by the Leominster-born artist John Scarlett Davis. Each season a main exhibition looks at a local theme; in 2026 it is about Victorian women.
Highlights
- Story of Leominster from prehistory to the present day
- Major collection of paintings and drawings by John Scarlett Davis
- Historic photographs of the town by Thomas Henry Winterbourn
- Objects on farming, crafts, trade, transport and the world wars
- Free entry in a Victorian mission hall
Permanent exhibitions
- Leominster from early times to the present – Artefacts, pictures, photographs, postcards and documents telling the story of the town and its people from before the Romans to today.
- John Scarlett Davis collection – An important group of paintings and drawings by the Victorian artist John Scarlett Davis, who was born in Leominster.
- Founded
- 1972
- Operated by
- Leominster Museum CIO
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free and a donation is requested; Gift Aid envelopes are next to the donation box.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: not available
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The ground floor can be used by wheelchairs and light mobility scooters, but very heavy scooters cannot use the ramp to the Cider House or make the tight turn into the Victorian stable. Neither gallery can be reached without using stairs, and some cases may be hard to see from a seated position, so stewards will help. The museum toilet is not suitable for visitors with disabilities; a fully accessible toilet is at Grange Court, five minutes away on foot. Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs may be admitted at the discretion of the volunteer on duty and must be kept on a lead. The museum says access is not yet as complete as it would like.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Free on-street parking may be available in Etnam Street, and a Herefordshire Council pay-and-display car park (Etnam Street car park) is almost opposite the museum.
The museum is near the west end of Etnam Street, opposite the entrance to School Lane.
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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School groups of all ages are welcome and visits are free, although a donation is requested. Sessions can be tailored to a topic, a visit can be combined with Grange Court, and outreach visits to schools are possible. Two education packs are available free of charge to schools. |
