Shropshire Museums' Collections Centre
Store and research centre for Shropshire’s museum collections in Ludlow, with a free exhibitions gallery and bookable behind-the-scenes store tours.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Collections Centre in Ludlow stores and cares for the museum collections of Shropshire, which are managed by the county’s museum service. It shares a building on Parkway with Ludlow Library, and the library foyer serves as the entrance.
The collections held here fall into four main areas: archaeology, geology and fossils, decorative art and ceramics, and social and industrial history. Visitors can study objects in the Research Room by appointment, and the centre also runs courses and takes part in the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which records archaeological finds made by the public. Volunteers help to catalogue and digitise the collection.
A free exhibitions gallery on the lower ground floor is open during the library’s opening hours. Visitors can also book behind-the-scenes tours of the stores, ranging from a short introduction to a longer session with handling objects.
Highlights
- Free exhibitions gallery on the lower ground floor
- Behind-the-scenes tours of the museum stores
- Research Room for studying objects by appointment
- Collections of archaeology, geology and fossils, ceramics and decorative art, and social and industrial history
- Operated by
- Shropshire Council (Shropshire Museums)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Introductory store tour (per person) | £945 minutes, groups of 10 to 20 |
|---|---|
| Dig Deeper store tour and handling session (per person) | £152 hours, groups of 6 to 15 |
| Behind the Scenes group tour and talk (per group) | £902 hours, groups of 10 to 20, includes refreshments and an illustrated talk |
The exhibitions gallery and research appointments are free; donations are welcome (a typical donation is £10). Store tours cost extra and must be booked. Appointments are free on selected Heritage Open Days.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
Corridors and public rooms are wide enough for wheelchair users, although mobility scooters may find it hard to turn. Floors are mostly lino. The centre is generally quiet, but alarms and door bells sometimes sound, and the library foyer used as the entrance can be busy. The website does not describe step-free access or a lift.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities
Baby changing is available in the library toilets.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Surgery (Station Drive) bus stop · 3-min walk · 210 m
Ludlow railway station is about 250 metres away, a walk of about three minutes. The nearest bus stops are Surgery on Station Drive (about 210 metres, three minutes) and Compasses Inn on Corve Street (about 400 metres, five minutes).
By car
Parking available
Galdeford pay and display car park is next to the centre, with coach parking, Blue Badge bays and electric vehicle charging points. A park and ride is at Ludlow Eco Business Park (service 722). Covered cycle parking is partly available.
The centre is in Ludlow town centre and is signposted throughout the town.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
- Lockers
There is no café on site; food and drink can be bought from local cafés and restaurants. Lockers are available for bags and coats.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
A meeting room, a freezer and a conservation laboratory can be hired.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | All store tours and Research Room visits need to be booked with the curatorial team. A schools programme and courses are offered. |
