Museum of Royal Worcester

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1946 by Charles Dyson Perrins and is run by an independent charitable trust. It stands on Severn Street in Worcester, on the site where porcelain was made from 1751, when Dr John Wall's pioneering manufactory began. Worcester became one of the earliest commercially successful porcelain makers in England and played an important part in the history of transfer printing and of the Midlands' industrial development.

The Royal Worcester factory closed in 2009 and the museum then became a stand-alone attraction within the redeveloped Royal Porcelain Works site, which now also contains homes, businesses and an arts venue. A refurbishment supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2016 to 2018 completely redisplayed the galleries and told the story beyond the factory's closure. In 2021 a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery studio opened for visitors.

The collection includes more than 8,000 ceramic objects, together with a factory and design archive of artists' drawings, pattern books, photographs and factory records. Highlights include Admiral Lord Nelson's breakfast teapot, the Earl of Dudley tea service of 1865, painted fruit pieces and the Evesham oven-to-tableware. The museum also runs family trails, an audio guide, workshops and events.

Highlights

• Largest collection of Worcester porcelain in the world
• Lord Nelson breakfast teapot and the 1865 Dudley tea service
• Showstopper Trail of 25 important objects
• Factory and design archive of drawings, pattern books and photographs
• Sensory Trail and family explorer backpacks
• Paint-Your-Own-Pottery studio on the old factory site

Permanent exhibitions

• The Showstopper Gallery and Trail – Twenty-five important objects, from the Wigornia cream boat to the Nelson breakfast set, presented with close-up photographs and archive stories.
• Worcester porcelain collection – More than 8,000 ceramic objects made in Worcester between 1751 and 2008, shown across the refurbished galleries.
• Factory and design archive – Artists' drawings, pattern books, photographs and factory records telling the story of the people behind the porcelain.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Dyson Perrins Museum Trust (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

An entry ticket allows unlimited free return visits for 12 months. Advance booking is only needed for groups of 12 or more, for refreshment packages and for group talks.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

The first-floor 19th-century gallery, the exhibition hall and the accessible toilet can be used by wheelchair users, but the platform lift between the Victorian Gallery on the second floor and the 20th-century galleries is currently out of service. Two wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge on a first-come basis. There is a gentle slope between the shop and the introductory film area, and the film area and the stairs to the first-floor galleries have low lighting. Blue Badge holders can park free for three hours on Severn Street next to the museum. Printed captions, factsheets and printed audio guide transcripts help visitors with hearing loss, and hearing and guide dogs are welcome. The audio guide describes many exhibits, and groups of visitors with visual impairments can book a session with staff to handle items from the collection. Seating is provided in the galleries.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Families can follow the Sensory Trail, the Showstopper Trail and children's trails, borrow Family Explorer backpacks and use the interactive displays. The Paint-Your-Own-Pottery studio offers family sessions, a toddler painting and play session and children's parties. Family workshops and holiday activities run throughout the year.

Getting there & parking

The museum is near Worcester Cathedral and a short walk from the High Street. From the High Street, walk towards the Cathedral, go along College Street, turn right onto College Precincts and go down the steps to Severn Street; the courtyard entrance is on the left, opposite the Good Roots cafe. For sat-nav use postcode WR1 2NE.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available

There is no cafe in the museum; Good Roots, a cafe across the courtyard, serves snacks and light meals, and group refreshment packages can be pre-booked. There is no cloakroom or secure storage for bags and coats. The shop at the entrance sells vintage and new Royal Worcester china, cards and prints.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Meeting and event space can be hired for half or full days, with a projector, screen, internet access and catering available; the exhibition hall is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships, and the museum can also be hired for private parties and for photo and film shoots.

Plan your visit