Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
A free museum in the Dorset village of Tolpuddle telling the story of the six farm workers transported in 1834 for forming a trade union.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1834 six farm labourers from Tolpuddle in Dorset were arrested and sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia for taking an oath of secrecy when they formed a union to resist wage cuts. A large public campaign, including a mass march in London and a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures, won their freedom, and they became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Their case is widely seen as a founding episode of the British trade union movement.
The museum grew out of a library in the Memorial Cottages, which were built in 1934 to mark the centenary of the conviction. The library was meant for the workers living in the cottages, but it gradually collected artefacts, documents and memorabilia about the Martyrs. Over the years this informal display developed into the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum.
Today the museum tells the story of the arrest, trial, punishment and the campaign for freedom. Nearby sites linked to the story include the Martyrs' sculpture, the Memorial Cottages, the Old Shire Hall and a self-guided village trail. The village also hosts an annual festival of trade unionists in July.
Highlights
- The story of the six Tolpuddle Martyrs, transported in 1834
- Museum founded in the Memorial Cottages built in 1934
- Free entry with no booking required
- Village trail around the places in Tolpuddle linked to the story
- Annual Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival in July
Permanent exhibition
- The Tolpuddle Martyrs – The arrest, trial, punishment and freedom campaign of the six farm workers, and the beginnings of modern trade unionism.
- Founded
- 1934
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free and no booking is required.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A self-guided village trail tells the story in words and film at locations around Tolpuddle. School work and banners are among the topics covered on the museum website. |
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