Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse

About the museum

Weaver Hall Museum is housed in the former Northwich Union Workhouse, which was built between 1837 and 1839 as a last refuge for the poor of mid-Cheshire. The workhouse closed in 1968, and about half of the structure was pulled down the following year. The local author Robert Westall campaigned to save what remained, and the building reopened as a museum in 1977.

The displays are spread through rooms of the old workhouse, including the schoolroom, the Master's sitting room and the Guardians' Boardroom, where weekly meetings decided how the poor were cared for. They tell the story of daily routine and diet in the workhouse as well as the lives of some of the people who lived there, among them Sarah 'Granny' Vernon, the oldest person to have lived at Weaver Hall.

The museum also explores the industries that shaped Northwich and the surrounding area, such as salt mining, chemicals and boatbuilding, with further galleries on archaeology, transport and local history. Films, models, reconstructions and artefacts tell these stories. The museum is part of West Cheshire Museums, run by Cheshire West and Chester Council, and it currently also hosts a temporary branch of Northwich Library.

Highlights

• Workhouse schoolroom with dressing-up for children
• Recreated Master's sitting room and Guardians' Boardroom
• Galleries on the salt and chemical industries of Cheshire
• Displays on archaeology, transport and boatbuilding
• Regalette Cinema, named after and fitted with seats from Northwich's former Regal Cinema

Permanent exhibitions

• Workhouse life – Rooms of the former workhouse, including the schoolroom and the Master's sitting room, show daily routine, food and the lives of the people who lived there.
• Salt, chemicals and local industry – Galleries explain how salt mining, chemicals and boatbuilding shaped Northwich, using films, models and artefacts.

Founded

1977

Operated by

West Cheshire Museums (Cheshire West and Chester Council)

Admission & discounts

The gift shop, coffee shop, temporary exhibition and library can be visited without an admission ticket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 museum describes itself as fully accessible, with designated disabled parking bays, accessible toilets, a lift to the first floor and a hearing induction loop in the mini-cinema. A full access guide can be downloaded from its website.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

In the workhouse schoolroom, younger visitors can dress up and imagine themselves as inmates learning the three Rs. A workhouse quiz and an I-Spy trail are available, and the temporary library holds books for children. Children aged 16 and under enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the A533 (London Road), about half a mile south of Northwich town centre, and is signposted with brown signs from the A556. Coming from the town centre, turn right immediately after passing under the railway viaduct. The town-centre library building is about 15 minutes' walk away, either through the town or along the River Dane through Chinkers Field.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

There is a coffee shop and a gift shop. Free Wi-Fi and public computers are provided for visitors of the temporary Northwich Library, which is housed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 43 guests.

The Regalette Cinema seats 43, has a screen and digital projector and is fully accessible, and can be hired for presentations, events and films. Prices are £91 for a half day (4 hours), £172 for a full day (8 hours) and £230 for an evening (5pm to 9pm), including audio-visual equipment; tea and coffee cost £2.20 per person. Weekend prices are available on request.

Plan your visit