photograph showing the museum from the park

Charnwood Museum

Queens Hall, Granby Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3DU
Telephone: 01509 233754
e-mail: charnwood@leics.gov.uk

Admission: Free

Opening Times:

Monday	10:00 - 16.30	Tuesday	10:00 - 16.30
Wednesday	10:00 - 16.30	Thursday	10:00 - 16.30
Friday	10:00 - 16.30	Saturday	10:00 - 16.30
Sunday (April - October)	14:00 - 17.00	Sunday (November - March)	13.00 - 16.00

Bank Holidays - The museum is open Sunday hours on Bank Holidays
Whats On - in Leicestershire Museums | Charnwood Borough Council 'Charnwood Museum' page | School visits

About the museum

Giving Presence to our Past - explore Charnwood's rich and exciting heritage from the discovery of some of the world's oldest fossils to the lives of present-day Charnwood people

Our Land, our life, our work from prehistory to the present

picture showing various exhibits from Charwood Museum

Coming to Charnwood

People have been coming to Charnwood for centuries: to work, to live or just to visit. Find out how different groups of people have contributed to Charnwood life from 'Stone-Age' settlers to today's richly diverse population.

Dig through the layers of history and find out why archaeologists like old rubbish
Investigate to 4,000 year old burial of Cossington Boy
View ancient Anglo-Saxon treasures including a gold sword pommel

The Natural World of Charnwood

Discover how a schoolboy made Charnwood famous when he found one of the world's oldest fossils. Investigate today's natural world with Charnwood's nature detectives.

Zoom-in on a centipede's head with our video microscope.
Peep under rocks, in cracks and crevices to find the creatures that hide in Charnwood Museum. Will you Spot the Squirrel?
Watch out for the Barrow Kipper! This Jurassic marine reptile still 'swims' under the floor of the Museum

Living off the Land

People have farmed the countryside of Charnwood for thousands of years. Find out about the crops they grew, the animals they bred, the equipment they used, and how these changed over time.

Have a go at basket weaving.
See a huge chair carved out of a single oak tree.

picture of Auster aircraft from Charnwood Musem

Earning a Living

The changing industries of Charnwood, and the many thousands of skilled people who have worked in them, have produced goods that have been exported all over the world. Find out more about some of Loughborough's important manufacturing industries

Discover why stockings caused Loughborough's people so many problems.
Have a go with cranes, magnets and motors.
Don't forget to look up at the locally-built Auster aircraft that flies in the rafters of Charnwood Museum.

The Belton Shop

'Time capsule' display of a Victorian grocers shop. 'Discovered' in 1982 the Belton Shop had been boarded up for many years and contained tins, boxes, and adverts for everyday products dating from the 1860's to the 1950's. Explore our recreation of this shop and discover products you had forgotten from your childhood and earlier.

The making of Loughborough

Flip through Loughborough's heritage and find out more about Loughborough's fascinating history. From watermills to lace-making, fairs to railways, this exhibit answers many frequently asked questions such as: 'Why is the town where it is?

Changing Exhibitions and Events

The Temporary Exhibition Gallery is home to a regularly changing programme of exhibitions on key local themes as well as national and international subjects.

The museum holds special events, family fun days and 'hands-on' workshops throughout the year.
Contact the Curator on 01509 233 737 for further details.

image of archaeological finds displayed at Charnwood Museum

Other Facilities

The Gift Shop
We stock a wide range of gifts - some specially commissioned - as well as guides to the area's other attractions and events.

Charnwood Museum Cafe
A delicious range of hot and cold snacks, drinks and cakes are available. In fine weather, our outdoor patio is a marvellous setting for a relaxing meal.

Educational Resources
The Museum is a valuable resource for schools wishing to explore national curriculum subjects. Workshops and handling sessions can be held in our Education room. Guided tours, worksheets and a schools loan service are available. For further details and booking information please contact the Education Services Officer on 01530 278449 or e-mail abridge@leics.gov.uk.

Made a discovery? See our Curator!
If you've found something interesting in the area, our Curator will help you identify your discovery. We're linked to the County's museum specialists -and we're always pleased to assess potential new exhibits!

Your chance to help us
Why not join our Friends group? We have regular monthly meetings, organise fund-raising and provide volunteers for museum events. For more information contact the Chairman, C/O Charnwood Museum.