Old Rectory Museum

About the museum

The Old Rectory is a rare survivor of a stone-built 13th-century manor house in the medieval centre of Loughborough. The original building was given to the church in 1228 and became the rectory for the rectors of All Saints Parish Church, probably making it one of the oldest rectories in the country. Over seven centuries it was altered and extended many times.

What looked like an 18th or early 19th-century house was being demolished in the 1960s when the remains of the medieval building were found. In the autumn of 1962 everything except the essential medieval core was taken down, leaving the much smaller building that stands today in its own grounds on Rectory Place, on the edge of the modern town centre. The surviving building is Grade II* listed.

The museum is run by the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society, which was founded in 1955 to study the archaeology and history of the area. It is fully accredited and staffed by volunteers. Displays include finds from the Society's own excavations, among them floor tiles and fragments of decorated window glass from the 12th-century Cistercian Garendon Abbey, a tombstone from the former Woodgate Baptist burial ground and the story of a medieval house found behind a shop on Churchgate. The building is also used for exhibitions by local artists, talks, workshops and open days.

Highlights

• Rare surviving 13th-century stone manor house
• Finds from Garendon Abbey, including floor tiles and window glass
• Tombstone of Sarah Johnson from the Woodgate Baptist burial ground
• The story of the medieval Mystery House found on Churchgate
• Setting in a park next to All Saints Church, with free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Sarah Johnson's Tombstone – A tombstone from the former Woodgate Baptist burial ground, dated 1819, with an inscription that tells of the hardships in the life of the woman buried there.
• The Mystery House on Churchgate – The story of a structure possibly as old as the 14th century that was uncovered when a shop on Churchgate was demolished and was investigated by members of the Society.
• Garendon Abbey – Floor tiles and fragments of decorated window glass found when the site of the 12th-century Cistercian abbey near Loughborough was excavated.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free and donations to the Society are welcome. Some special events, talks and workshops are charged separately.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 museum describes itself as dog friendly and provides drinking water for dogs. It does not publish details about step-free access, so visitors with mobility needs should contact the museum before visiting.

Kids & families

Heritage Open Day visits include a heritage trail around the building, and some seasonal events are described as child friendly.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Rectory Place, close to All Saints Parish Church on the edge of the town centre. Use postcode LE11 1UW for a satnav.

Amenities & dining

The grounds are part of a popular dog-walking park. A guidebook to the Old Rectory is sold by the Society.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit