Whitchurch Heritage Centre

About the museum

Whitchurch Heritage Centre is run by Whitchurch Museum & Archives, a registered charity staffed by volunteers. The charity leases the building at 12 St Mary’s Street from Whitchurch Town Council and cares for an accredited collection of objects and archives about the town and its surrounding villages.

The displays reflect a long local history. The Romans placed a fort here on the road between Chester and Wroxeter, and it grew into a civilian town. Later the settlement became a market town and a coaching stop, and in the early 1800s a canal branch reached it. The railway arrived in 1858 and made Whitchurch a junction, and the town became known for iron founding and for its cheese fair, which began in 1899.

Beyond the galleries, the volunteers carry out research projects and have built searchable databases, for example on local war casualties and the workhouse, which the public can consult. Archives on the first floor can be seen by appointment.

Highlights

• Main Exhibition Hall and Caldecott Gallery on the ground floor
• Hands-on children’s activities: Roman dig, brass rubbing and a giant jigsaw
• Collection on the town’s Roman origins, canal, railways, farming and cheese trade
• Searchable local history databases and archives by appointment

Permanent exhibition

• Main Exhibition Hall and Caldecott Gallery – Ground-floor displays on the history of Whitchurch and nearby villages, with hands-on activities for children.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Whitchurch Museum & Archives (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

All ground-floor areas are accessible to wheelchair users. The archives are on the first floor. Disabled parking is available next to the centre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children can try hands-on activities including a Roman dig, brass rubbing and a giant jigsaw.

Getting there & parking

The centre is on St Mary’s Street in the centre of Whitchurch.

Amenities & 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