Rothwell Arts and Heritage Centre

About the museum

Rothwell Arts & Heritage Centre is housed in the town's historic Market House on Bridge Street. It has been run for more than twenty years by volunteers, who care for the town's archives, photographs and heritage collections and keep the centre open on four days a week.

The displays tell the story of Rothwell from its medieval past to the industries that shaped it, in particular shoemaking and lace-making. A large photograph archive and many records of the town's past are held at the centre, and local people are invited to contribute family photographs, school pictures and memories so that life in the town in the twentieth century is recorded.

One room is devoted to Jim Dale MBE, the actor, singer, songwriter and comedian who was born in Rothwell. His family collection of pictures, posters, original recordings, scripts and memorabilia forms an unusual feature of the centre. The Janet Bassett Gallery upstairs shows five new exhibitions of work by local artists each year, and the centre also holds craft fairs and other events to raise money for its running costs.

Highlights

• Local history displays on medieval Rothwell and its shoe and lace industries
• Jim Dale Room with the actor’s family collection of posters, recordings and scripts
• Janet Bassett Gallery with changing shows by local artists
• Photograph archive of the town
• Heritage Tea-room and garden

Permanent exhibitions

• The Jim Dale Room – Photographs, original recordings, posters, scripts and memorabilia from the family collection of Rothwell-born entertainer Jim Dale.
• Rothwell's story – Displays on the medieval history of the town and on the shoe and lace-making industries, backed by a large archive of local photographs.

Founded

2003

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is listed as free by the Discover Northamptonshire visitor guide. Some evening events are ticketed.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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

A lift serves the upstairs gallery, where craft fairs are held.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The centre is at 14-16 Bridge Street, in the Market House in the centre of Rothwell.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The Heritage Tea-room and garden serves refreshments, with afternoon teas for groups of six or more by advance booking. The tea-room page lists free Wi-Fi, but it still describes the tea-room as coming soon. The shop sells local souvenirs such as a Rothwell tea towel.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit