Tenbury Wells Museum
Small volunteer-run museum in a Victorian school building, showing the domestic, rural and social history of Tenbury Wells and its district.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in Goff’s School, a small Victorian building that served as a school until 1914. The building was converted into a museum, which opened in 1977, and it shows the development of the market town of Tenbury Wells and the countryside around it. Tenbury is known locally as the “Little Town in the Orchard”.
The collection concentrates on local heritage: objects, images and sound recordings about domestic and rural life, together with archive photographs, costume and everyday items from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum also keeps copies of the local newspaper, the Tenbury Advertiser, going back to 1871.
The museum is owned and run by the Tenbury Wells Museum & History Group, a volunteer charity. Volunteer stewards look after the displays and welcome visitors. The group also organises a programme of evening talks in the town’s Pump Rooms, offers school sessions based on the collection, and has launched an appeal to move the museum to the former Methodist Chapel while preserving Goff’s School.
Highlights
- Local history displays in a small Victorian school building
- Objects, images and sound recordings about domestic and rural life
- Archive photographs and back issues of the Tenbury Advertiser from 1871
- School sessions such as “Great Grandma’s House” and “Victorian Schooldays”
Permanent exhibition
- Local history collection – Objects, images and sound recordings about domestic and rural life in Tenbury Wells and the surrounding district, with archive photographs and local newspapers.
- Founded
- 1977
- Operated by
- Tenbury Wells Museum & History Group (charitable incorporated organisation)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free and donations are welcome. Adult group visits carry a booking fee of £10; contact the museum by email to arrange one. Annual membership costs £20 and includes free entry to the talks programme.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Assistance dogs are welcome. Other dogs may be admitted at the steward’s discretion (one small or medium-sized dog on a lead). The museum does not publish information on step-free access; visitors with access needs should contact the museum before visiting.
Kids & families
The museum does not describe specific offers for families visiting on their own, but it runs school sessions with object handling and role play.
Getting there & parking
The museum is at Goff’s School on Cross Street in the centre of Tenbury Wells. The website gives no details of parking or public transport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Volunteer stewards are on hand during opening hours. The museum offers in-house and outreach school sessions with object handling, such as “Great Grandma’s House” (Victorian and Edwardian household items) and “Victorian Schooldays” (a role-play school day); in-house sessions suit groups of 15 to 20 pupils and small charges apply. Adult groups can arrange self-guided visits or request a talk. A separate year-round talks programme takes place on Thursday evenings in the Pump Rooms (£5 for non-members, free for members). |
