Stockwood Discovery Centre

About the museum

Stockwood Discovery Centre stands in Stockwood Park on the southern edge of Luton. It grew out of a rural crafts collection put together by the local historian Thomas Wyatt Bagshawe, who offered it to Luton Museum in 1954. A museum for these objects opened in the park in 1986 as the Stockwood Craft Museum, and a redevelopment costing about £6 million reopened it as the Discovery Centre in 2008.

The galleries tell the story of Luton and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present, with displays on local life, archaeology, geology and traditional crafts. They are designed to be hands-on and to appeal to several senses. A separate building houses the Mossman Collection of horse-drawn carriages, which dates from the 18th to the 20th centuries and is described by the museum as one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Outdoors, the walled and period gardens were begun by the local council in the mid-1980s, and sensory, world and medicinal gardens were added in 2007. Sculptural works by Ian Hamilton Finlay are also on show in the grounds. The centre is run by the Culture Trust Luton and offers free entry and free parking.

Highlights

• Mossman Collection of horse-drawn carriages from the 18th to the 20th centuries
• Discovery Galleries with hands-on displays on Luton from prehistory to today
• The Hidden House, an audio-described walk-through display
• Period, sensory and medicinal gardens inside the walled grounds
• Large outdoor play area and the Garden Café

Permanent exhibitions

• Discovery Galleries – Hands-on, multi-sensory displays on the history of Luton and the surrounding area from prehistoric times to the present.
• Mossman Collection of carriages – A large collection of horse-drawn carriages from the 18th to the 20th centuries.
• The Hidden House – A display of a house interior with an audio description tour for visitors who are blind or partially sighted.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Culture Trust Luton

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry and car parking are free. Some events and workshops are booked separately. The site is cashless, so payments in the shop and café are electronic.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

There is level access to all buildings, including the café and shop. Wheelchairs, pushchairs and scooters can use most galleries, but access is restricted in the Discovery Galleries and the Period Gardens, and some garden routes have steps. Fully accessible toilets and baby changing are available. Induction loops are at reception, in the shop and in the learning suite, and a portable loop can be borrowed. Self-propelled wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed if booked in advance (accessibility bookings: +44 1582 548610). Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome. There is an audio description tour of The Hidden House and British Sign Language content, including multimedia tours and subtitled introductory films. Free site maps are available, and the grounds include sensory and medicinal gardens.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The centre describes itself as family friendly, with hands-on, multi-sensory galleries, walled gardens and a large outdoor play area. Holiday workshops such as clay-making and craft sessions are offered. Wide pushchairs may be restricted in some areas.

Getting there & parking

The centre is on London Road in Stockwood Park.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Garden Café serves food using produce from the site’s gardens, light bites and lunches, and afternoon tea can be pre-booked. The shop sells museum merchandise and goods from local craft makers. Smoking, vaping, ball games and scooters are not allowed in the grounds.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit