Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings

Additional Features

Family Friendly
Picnic Area
Shop
Museum

Description

Avoncroft is a fascinating museum of historic buildings spanning seven centuries, rescued from imminent destruction and carefully rebuilt timber by timber or brick by brick on a beautiful open-air site in the north of Worcestershire.

At Avoncroft you can walk into buildings from many different periods: Tudor buildings include the magnificent 16th century Merchant’s House from Bromsgrove and the former String of Horses Inn from Shrewsbury; fine 19th century buildings include the Toll Keeper’s House from Little Malvern, a ‘tin chapel’ from Herefordshire and a Victorian cell block; 20th century exhibits include the extravagant Edwardian living wagon made for a travelling showman and a 1940's Prefab showing how people lived after being re-housed following the Second World War.

Our fascinating traditional farm buildings include a 19th century windmill, a crushing mill for making Worcestershire cider and perry and a beautiful 16th century cruck barn, from Cholstrey in Warwickshire.

West Midlands working life is also represented with workshops from the local chain making and nail making industries. The displays explain that these were not just the domain of the working man, but that all members of the family, including wives and children, were expected to contribute to the families’ income by helping with the metalworking.

On event days our re-enactors and craftspeople explain the domestic, working and religious lives of our ancestors, and demonstrate aspects of the social and working life of the past to our visitors.

Avoncroft is a magical place for a family visit appealing to young and old alike, with a children’s play area, picnic site, gift shop and tea room.