Gloucester Folk Museum is one of the oldest-established museums dedicated to social history. The collections have been drawn together through gifts from Gloucestershire, and represent one of the most fascinating collections of such material.
From local crafts to the intriguing story of the river Severn fisheries, from historic costume to the life on Gloucester’s High Streets; from the reconstructed Victorian classroom to the original pin factory and domestic life over the last 500 years, there really is something for everyone to enjoy, reminisce about and discover for the first time.
Set in Tudor timber-framed buildings, one of which was traditionally associated with the final night of the protestant martyr, Bishop Hooper, the Folk Museum is a complex of rooms on different levels, with a unique ambience that makes it a popular sight for locals and visitors. Behind the chocolate-box facade is a museum which is both larger than seems possible, and constantly surprising. No visit to Gloucestershire is complete without seeing the treasures and curiosities on display here.
Having recently been given a Heritage Lottery Grant the museum is currently being refreshed and updated. Earlier in the year the Retro Room was opened. This room is a celebration of home life in the 50's and 60’s and features many household items fondly remebered by visitors of the museum. The Folk Boutique has also opened selling an eclectic range of kitch and retro gifts, vintage and shabby chic household goods, local crafts and jewellery, cards, wrapping, gift boxes and more with very friendly prices. The Pin Gallery has been updated, replacing the Victorian classroom on the third floor. Don’t panic though, we have simply moved the Victorian classroom to the new, purpose built education building (Whitfield Lodge) in the Folk Museum garden.
There is always a wide range of hands-on activities, events, demonstrations and role play sessions held throughout the year. The stunning cottage garden outside the back of the vintage Tea Rooms is a beautiful area to sit back and relax for a while and the courtyard area is often used for events and outside games.
A beautiful building in its own right, filled with treasures from daily life, Gloucester Folk Museum is truly unforgettable.