List of museums in Shropshire facts for kids

Shropshire is a county in England with many interesting places to visit, especially museums! A museum is a special place where people collect and take care of old objects, art, science items, or things from history. They show these collections to everyone. This list will help you discover some of the amazing museums in Shropshire, perfect for exploring and learning new things.

Discovering Shropshire's Museums

Shropshire has a wide variety of museums, from ancient Roman ruins to places that show how people lived in Victorian times. You can find museums about trains, old houses, and even teddy bears!

Historic Houses and Estates

These museums let you step back in time and see how people lived in grand homes.

• Acton Scott Heritage Farm

This farm in Acton Scott shows what a working farm was like in the Victorian era. You can see how people farmed and lived over 100 years ago.

• Attingham Park

Near Atcham, this beautiful country mansion from the late 1700s is run by the National Trust. You can explore the grand house and its lovely gardens.

• Benthall Hall

Located in Benthall, this 16th-century country house is also cared for by the National Trust. It has beautiful gardens to explore.

• Boscobel House

Run by English Heritage, this restored 17th-century timber-framed house in Boscobel is famous for being where King Charles II hid in a tree to escape soldiers after a battle. You can see the house, farmyard, and a descendant of the famous "Royal Oak" tree.

• Darby Houses

In Coalbrookdale, these 17th-century homes belonged to the Quaker managers of the famous Coalbrookdale Ironworks. They are part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Dudmaston Hall

This 17th-century country mansion and estate in Quatt is managed by the National Trust. It features beautiful gardens and a collection of modern art.

• Morville Hall

An Elizabethan house with lovely gardens in Bridgnorth, also cared for by the National Trust.

• Stokesay Castle

This medieval fortified manor house in Stokesay is run by English Heritage. It's a fascinating place to see how people lived in a castle long ago.

• Stokesay Court

A grand Victorian country house with gardens in Onibury.

• Sunnycroft

In Wellington, this Victorian suburban villa is a National Trust property. It's special because its interior from the late 1800s has stayed almost exactly the same.

• Wilderhope Manor

This 16th-century Tudor manor house on Wenlock Edge is run by the National Trust and also serves as a youth hostel.

Industrial and Technology Museums

Shropshire is famous for its industrial history, especially the Ironbridge Gorge.

• Blists Hill Victorian Town

In Madeley, this is a "living museum" where you can experience a Victorian town from the late 1800s. You can see a chemist, a schoolhouse, a bank, and even a steam-powered pithead. It's one of the amazing Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Broseley Pipeworks

In Broseley, this was once a factory that made clay tobacco pipes. It's now one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron

This museum in Coalbrookdale tells the story of the 17th-century ironworks. It's part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and includes a museum of steel sculpture.

• Coalport China Museum

Learn about the history and making of beautiful Coalport chinaware at this museum in Coalport. It's another one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Coleham Pumping Station

In Coleham, this Victorian pumping station has preserved steam engines that once helped manage water.

• Daniels Mill

This working water mill from the 18th century is located in Bridgnorth. You can see how water power was used to grind grain.

• Enginuity

Also in Coalbrookdale, Enginuity is a science museum that explores the principles of design and technology used in industry. It's one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Iron Bridge and Toll House

The famous Iron Bridge in Ironbridge was the first arch bridge in the world made from cast iron in 1779! The nearby toll house has exhibits about how this amazing bridge was built. It's a key part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Jackfield Tile Museum

In Jackfield, this museum is a decorative tile factory. You can see beautiful tiles and rooms decorated with them. It's another one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Llanymynech Heritage Area

This area in Llanymynech shows historic lime quarries and industrial buildings, including a very important Hoffman kiln.

• Museum of the Gorge

Located in Ironbridge, this museum tells the story of the Ironbridge Gorge, including its coal mining history. It's one of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

• Tar Tunnel

In Coalport, this unique tunnel is where bitumen (a natural tar) seeps through the rock. It's another fascinating site within the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

Railway and Transport Museums

For those who love trains and how people used to travel!

• Bishop's Castle Railway and Transport Museum

This museum in Bishop's Castle shares the history of the old Bishop's Castle Railway.

• Cambrian Heritage Railways

In Oswestry, this is a heritage railway and museum where you can learn about and experience old trains.

• The Engine House

Located at Highley railway station in Highley, this is the Severn Valley Railway visitor center. It has steam locomotives and exhibits about railways.

Military and Aviation Museums

Learn about battles, soldiers, and amazing flying machines.

• Battlefield 1403

Near Battlefield, this site tells the story of the Battle of Shrewsbury, a famous battle from 1403.

• Royal Air Force Museum Cosford

In Cosford, this museum is all about the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force. You can see war planes, transport aircraft, engines, and learn about the Cold War.

• Soldiers of Shropshire Museum

Located at Shrewsbury Castle in Shrewsbury, this museum displays items and tells the history of local army regiments.

• Welsh Guards Museum

This museum in Oswestry, found within the Park Hall Countryside Experience, focuses on the history and items of the Welsh Guards.

Local History and Culture Museums

These museums tell the stories of the towns and people of Shropshire.

• The Bog Visitor Centre

In Stiperstones, this center explores the natural history, geology, and mining heritage of the local area.

• Bridgnorth Museum

This museum in Bridgnorth shares the local history and culture of the town.

• Clun Town Museum

Located in the town hall in Clun, this museum covers local history and town traditions.

• House on Crutches Museum

This timber-framed house in Bishop's Castle shows local history, home life, and farming tools from the past.

• Ludlow Museum

In Ludlow, this museum covers many topics, including local history, wildlife, archaeology (studying old things), geology (studying rocks), and fossils.

• Market Drayton Museum

This museum in Market Drayton focuses on the local history of the town.

• Much Wenlock Museum

In Much Wenlock, this museum tells the local history, including the story of the Wenlock Olympian Society Annual Games, which inspired the modern Olympic Games!

• Oswestry Town Museum

This museum in Oswestry tells "The Story of Oswestry."

• Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery

In Shrewsbury, this museum has exhibits on local history and art.

• Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre

Located in Craven Arms, this center explores the geology, natural history, Iron Age history, and local art of the Shropshire Hills.

• Whitchurch Heritage Centre

This center in Whitchurch explores the history of this market town. It also has a gallery featuring art and items related to artist Randolph Caldecott and musician Edward German, both connected to Whitchurch.

Unique and Special Museums

Some museums have very specific and interesting collections!

• Land of Lost Content

In Craven Arms, this museum is a treasure trove of 20th-century memorabilia, mostly items made in Britain. It's like a trip down memory lane!

• Merrythought

Located in Ironbridge, this is a toy museum situated at the last remaining British teddy bear manufacturer, Merrythought. You can see how teddy bears are made!

• Mythstories Museum of Myth & Fable

In Wem, this museum has changing displays of legends and folklore, and even hosts live storytelling events.

• Park Hall

This countryside experience in Oswestry is a farm park with three museums: a Victorian School & Museum, the Welsh Guards Museum, and a reproduction Iron Age Roundhouse.

• Wroxeter Roman City

Operated by English Heritage in Wroxeter, this site features the excavated remains of a Roman city, Viroconium Cornoviorum, and a museum with artifacts found there. It's a great place to learn about Roman life in Britain.

See also

• Category:Tourist attractions in Shropshire
• Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust