Museum of Carpet
Volunteer-run free museum in Kidderminster on the town's carpet-weaving industry, with working looms, an archive and a local history library.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Carpet Museum Trust was founded in 1981 to create a public museum on carpet making in Kidderminster. As the industry shrank, the trust collected machinery, tools, archives and libraries from local firms. The museum opened to the public in October 2012 at Stour Vale Mill and was formally opened by the trust's patron, Lord Cobham.
The museum is run by the Carpet Museum Trust, an educational charity supported by a Friends group, and it is staffed entirely by volunteers. In late 2025 it announced that it would close because of financial difficulties, and it shut its doors in December 2025. It reopened in 2026 with limited hours that depend on volunteer availability.
The galleries include a weaving shed with power looms and hand looms, and a carpet dress is shown in the entrance foyer. Volunteers demonstrate weaving, usually around midday on opening days, and rugs woven on the looms are sold in the shop. The museum holds objects, archives, books and photographs on the carpet industry from the eighteenth century to the present, which researchers can use by appointment.
Highlights
- Working power looms with weaving demonstrations
- Hand-loom weaving and spinning demonstrations
- Weaving shed gallery with 360-degree online view
- Archive and library on the Kidderminster carpet industry
- Hands-on activities
- Free entry
Permanent exhibitions
- Weaving Shed Gallery – Gallery with power looms and hand looms, where volunteers demonstrate weaving and the museum produces rugs.
- Collections, archive and library – Objects, archives, books and photographs on the carpet industry from the eighteenth century to the present; archive and library visits need advance booking.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Carpet Museum Trust (educational charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A concessionary rate for visitors with disabilities and free tickets for personal assistants and carers are mentioned on the visit page. |
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| Groups (10+ people) | –Group visits are for 10 to 40 people and last about 2.5 hours. |
Entry is free and donations are gratefully received.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
There is level access from the main entrance to all galleries and to the toilets. Researchers can use an accessible lift to the upper floor. Display information is available in audio and large print, glass doors are contrast-marked, walls and doors are high-contrast, and fire alarms have flashing lights. Staff have disability awareness training. The pay and display car park opposite has Blue Badge spaces.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The museum offers hands-on activities that are suitable for adults and children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Green Street
The nearest bus stop is Green Street. From Kidderminster station, walk down Comberton Hill, use the subway under the roundabout and walk about 100 metres along Green Street; the museum is on the left.
By car
Paid parking
The museum has no car park of its own. A pay and display car park is directly opposite, with Blue Badge spaces. The neighbouring Morrisons car park is for supermarket customers only, with a 2.5-hour limit.
- Accessible parking
The entrance is on the left side of the Morrisons building, nearest Green Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The shop sells rugs woven on the museum's looms. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for the hireable rooms.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Up to 65 guests.
Four rooms can be hired outside opening hours: the Richard Pugh Cook Room (up to 65 people), the Education Room (up to 40), the Boardroom (up to 18) and the Community Space (up to 12). Charities receive a reduction; bookings go through bookings@museumofcarpet.org.uk.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Group visits can be booked on themes such as carpet design or the people and production of the carpet industry. They last about 2.5 hours and refreshments are provided on arrival. Email replies can take up to 7 days, so phone for a quicker answer. |
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