Museums in the Shropshire Hills

The Shropshire Hills boast some fantastic easy-to-visit museums, packed with exciting things to see and do that will keep both younger and older members of the family busy for hours.

Relics of the area’s early industry are lovingly looked after by volunteers at Daniel’s Mill, near Bridgnorth, and at old mining sites in the Stiperstones area. Here, Snailbeach Lead Mine is the most complete collection of mine building remains in England, while the The Bog Mine and its visitor centre in a conserved school is nearby.

The World Heritage Site of Ironbridge and its various museums, near Much Wenlock, are a day out in themselves, but the much smaller scale local museums reflecting many aspects of life are also fascinating. You’ll find these in Ludlow, Much Wenlock, and Bishop’s Castle, with its House on Crutches, Judge’s Lodging and railway museum.

The area’s distinctive agricultural heritage is celebrated at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, where the kids can get up to close to animals from newly hatched chicks to squealing piglets to majestic shire horses. Traditional country crafts, like wheel-making and the smithy also make popular and educational watching.

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, a few miles from Acton Scott, is a great place to learn about how the local landscape was forged and to see a life-size replica of the Shropshire Mammoth, whose remains survived from the last Ice Age till they were found in 1986.

All Museums

  • The Judge’s Lodging

    Winner of Britain’s Best Hidden Gem in the Hudson’s Heritage Awards 2014. When the Judge’s Lodging closed its doors at the end of the 2013 season, it had no idea just how exciting the following few months would be… The beautiful gas-lit kitchen in its Victorian judges’ accommodation became the Read more [...]

  • Jailhouse Tours

    Guided Prison Tours Walk in the footsteps of prisoners who have been residents of the wings during the last 200 years. Discover what happens behind the high walls and locked doors. Experience the hidden world of capital punishment and see first hand one of the last working execution rooms in Read more [...]

  • Bishops Castle Town Hall

    Bishop’s Castle Town Hall is an 18th Century Grade II* Listed Building open to the public, providing an information service for local people and visitors to the town; a location for local markets, local crafts and products; a community facility for meetings, and events; a licenced wedding venue and the home Read more [...]

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    Acton Scott Historic Working Farm

    Acton Scott Historic Working Farm near Church Stretton, demonstrates life on a Shropshire upland farm at the turn of the last century. The farm has featured on BBC TV’s ‘Victorian Farm’ and more recently used as the setting for Monty Don’s Real Craft series on More Four. Visitors to the popular family Read more [...]

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    Ironbridge Gorge Museums

    Whether you are interested in fine china, fun interactives or a ‘Victorian’ town, its all to be found in this World Heritage Site. A fun and informative day out is ensured at the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums. Whether you are interested in fine china, decorative tiles, fun interactives or a Read more [...]

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    Industrial Heritage

    The heritage of the Shropshire Hills spans many centuries and it's particularly spectacular when you take a step back and look specifically at the Industrial Heritage and consider how this has shaped the Shropshire Hills and communities we see today.

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    Tenbury Wells

    Tenbury Wells, referred to as ‘The Town in The Orchard’ by Queen Victoria, is an ancient Market Town in North Worcestershire and just a short car journey from Ludlow. Explore places to visit in Tenbury Wells – its Town Centre area is a conservation area and has a unique selection Read more [...]

© Shropshire Hills Tourism Association