Robert Peel Society & Police Museum

About the museum

The Peel Society was founded in Tamworth in 1979 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Metropolitan Police, which Sir Robert Peel established in 1829. Peel was a Member of Parliament for Tamworth and twice Prime Minister, and his family home was nearby Drayton Manor, which was demolished in 1926 and is now the site of a theme park. The society's main aim was to set up and run a museum of Peel and police items, and the museum is now housed inside Middleton Hall.

The museum covers the history of Drayton Manor, the Peel family and a short history of policing in the United Kingdom. One part is devoted to the police, with documents, uniforms and equipment from different periods. Another part tells the story of the seven Peels, the break-up of their family home and how William Peel won the Victoria Cross.

The museum is run by volunteers from the Peel Society, a registered charity that also gives talks, produces exhibitions, publishes books and pamphlets and helps researchers. It can be visited whenever Middleton Hall and Gardens is open, and entry is free for anyone with an admission ticket to the hall and gardens. Donations to the society are welcome.

Highlights

• Police documents, uniforms and equipment from different periods
• The story of the seven Peels and Drayton Manor
• How William Peel won the Victoria Cross
• A short history of policing in the United Kingdom
• Inside historic Middleton Hall, next to the gardens and nature trail

Permanent exhibitions

• The Peel family and Drayton Manor – The story of the seven Peels, the break-up of their family home at Drayton Manor and how William Peel was awarded the Victoria Cross.
• A history of policing – Documents, uniforms and equipment showing how policing developed after Sir Robert Peel created the Metropolitan Police.

Founded

2004

Operated by

The Peel Society

Admission & discounts

The museum is free to enter for anyone with an admission ticket to Middleton Hall and Gardens (standard adult £9.95, or £11.00 with Gift Aid). Season pass holders, Historic House members, RHS members and carers are admitted free, and annual passes are available. Donations to the Peel Society are welcome.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Middleton Hall is nearly 1,000 years old and has uneven surfaces and steps. All buildings can be entered at ground level, but those in the East Wing have uneven entrance steps, while the West Wing has an accessible entrance. There is no lift, so the first floor of the hall can only be reached by stairs. An accessible toilet with baby changing is on the ground floor of the main hall. One wheelchair can be borrowed if booked in advance by phone. Blue Badge parking is signposted in all car parks. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

Free activity sheets are available daily, and themed events and trails run during school holidays. The grounds include a glade, a nature trail and natural play areas with willow tunnels. Baby changing facilities are in the hall and in the Courtyard.

Getting there & parking

Middleton Hall lies between The Belfry Hotel and Golf Course and Drayton Manor Park, off the A4091, and is well served by the M42 (junctions 9 and 10). The sat-nav postcode is B78 2AE.

Amenities & dining

• Café

A tea room in the hall is open most weekends and for special events, and the Bake180 coffee shop is in the Courtyard. Visitors may bring their own food, and there is a picnic area in the glade.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit