The Ropewalk
Arts centre in a Grade II listed former rope factory in Barton upon Humber, with galleries, a free museum on Hall's Barton Ropery, a café and a live-events venue.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ropewalk occupies a Grade II listed former rope factory in Barton upon Humber. The Hall family, Hull ship-owners, became involved in rope making in 1767, which is traditionally given as the foundation of Hall's Ropery, and by 1800 to 1806 they had built the first permanent rope-making building on the site. The company supplied rope worldwide and, in both world wars, provided ropes for the British and American navies. The Barton works produced its last rope and closed in December 1989.
Today the building is run by The Ropewalk (Barton) Ltd, a registered charity, as a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts. It has five exhibition spaces, a sculpture garden, about 15 artists' studios, a Craft Gallery, the Ropery Coffee Shop and Ropery Hall, a venue for live music, theatre and cinema.
The free museum is an archive of artefacts, literature and photographs about Hall's Barton Ropery, its workers and their families and working conditions, with sections on the history, the people and a picture archive.
Highlights
- Free museum on Hall's Barton Ropery and its rope makers
- Five exhibition spaces and a Craft Gallery
- Sculpture garden and artists' studios
- Ropery Coffee Shop
- Live music, theatre and cinema at Ropery Hall
Permanent exhibition
- Hall's Barton Ropery museum – A growing archive of artefacts, literature and photographs about the Barton rope works, its workers and the lives of their families.
- Operated by
- The Ropewalk (Barton) Ltd (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission to the galleries and the museum is free; workshops and live events are charged separately.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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
The venue is on one level with good wheelchair access. The Ropewalk publishes an access policy statement.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The venue is a five-minute walk from Barton Transport Interchange, with half-hourly buses to Hull and Scunthorpe and a two-hourly rail service to Grimsby.
By car
Free parking
Free parking next to the galleries in the far left corner of the Tesco car park off Maltkiln Road. For Ropery Hall, park at the Waters' Edge car park (sat nav DN18 5JR).
From the A15 leave at junction 3 and take the A1077 into Barton, then follow the one-way system and signs to Maltkiln Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The Ropery Coffee Shop serves breakfasts, light lunches, a salad bar, cakes and drinks, with indoor and outdoor seating. The Craft Gallery shop sells prints, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and heritage items by local makers.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Meeting rooms can be hired by the hour, session or day, and funeral receptions are offered. Ropery Hall is a venue for live events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Art and craft workshops run on a rolling timetable. The museum has sections on the history of the ropery, the people who worked there, a picture archive and videos. |
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