Redfern's Cottage, Museum of Uttoxeter Life
A museum in a historic timber-framed cottage in Uttoxeter telling the story of the town, with a café, garden and gift shop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Redfern's Cottage, Museum of Uttoxeter Life, stands on Carter Street in the centre of Uttoxeter in a historic timber-framed cottage. It is run by Uttoxeter Heritage Trust, a registered charity, and tells the story of the town from a small Anglo-Saxon settlement and forest clearing to the market town of today.
After a refurbishment supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funders, the museum now has galleries on the first floor, a new glass and oak extension that houses a café, a courtyard garden and a gift shop. The galleries cover the people, industries and events that shaped Uttoxeter.
The collections include social history, arts and artefacts, and local archives covering Uttoxeter and villages within about 10 miles, such as poor law and settlement records, wills, apprenticeship records and original deeds. Most objects are kept in store and some are shown in the galleries. The museum also offers learning sessions for schools and groups, exhibitions and talks, and guided tours of the town for organised groups.
Highlights
- Galleries on Uttoxeter's story from Anglo-Saxon settlement to modern town
- Local archives including poor law records, wills and deeds
- Café with a courtyard garden
- Gift shop with local makers' goods and local history books
- Learning sessions and guided town tours for groups
Permanent exhibitions
- Museum galleries – Galleries on the first floor tell Uttoxeter's story from a small Anglo-Saxon settlement to the modern town.
- Collections and archive – Social history, arts and artefacts and local archives covering Uttoxeter and villages within about 10 miles; most objects are kept in store.
- Operated by
- Uttoxeter Heritage Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 are free. |
| Adult annual membership | £12Members are admitted free. |
| Concession annual membership | £8Members are admitted free. |
| Family annual membership (two adults and unlimited children) | £20Members are admitted free. |
Admission for adults aged 16 and over is £3. Annual members are admitted free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- 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
The ground floor shop, café, garden and toilet are fully accessible, but the main galleries on the first floor can only be reached by stairs. Visitors with a Blue Badge can ring ahead to arrange a parking space at the back of the museum. Visually impaired visitors can ask for help with orientation and reading information.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum has activities for children throughout the galleries and learning aids suitable for everyone.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Uttoxeter railway station
Regular buses run from Burton-on-Trent and Stoke-on-Trent bus stations. Hourly trains from Stoke-on-Trent and Derby serve Uttoxeter railway station.
By car
Parking available
There is limited free on-street parking outside the museum, and several town centre car parks are within a five-minute walk. Blue Badge holders can ring to arrange a space at the back of the museum.
- Accessible parking
Uttoxeter is 15 miles east of Burton-on-Trent and 12 miles west of Stoke-on-Trent; leave the M6 at junction 15 or the M1 at junction 23a and take the A50 towards Uttoxeter. From Uttoxeter railway station the museum is a 10 to 15 minute walk.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Redfern's Café & Garden serves Fair Trade tea and coffee and homemade cake. The gift shop sells goods by local makers, Uttoxeter-themed ceramics and local history books.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Organised groups can book talks about the cottage and the museum displays and guided tours of Uttoxeter town; contact the museum for prices and dates. The learning programme for schools follows Key Stages 1 and 2 and is being redeveloped. |
