Gloucester and The Forest of Dean

Museums & Galleries

Art Galleries & Museums

HOLST BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM

4 Clarence Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 2AY
Tel: 01242 524846       Fax: 01242 580182
E-mail: holstmuseum@btconnect.com
Web: www.holstmuseum.org.uk
Open: Tue - Sat 10am - 4pm. Open annually Feb to mid Dec.

Discover the life and music of the composer of ''The Planets'' and explore the upstairs-downstairs life of a Victorian household.

Request a leaflet or view our website for special events held throughout the year. We also have a specialist shop for Holst recordings and Victorian style toys. Guided tours for groups by prior arrangement. For further details on our Museum in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire see our website.

CHELTENHAM ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

Clarence Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3JT
Tel: 01242 237431     Fax: 01242 262334
E-mail: ArtGallery@cheltenham.gov.uk
Web: www.cheltenham.artgallery.museum
Open: All year. Mon-Sat 10am - 5.20pm. Closed Bank Holidays.
FREE ADMISSION.

The Art Gallery and Museum is housed in a splendid Victorian building. Extensive collections serve to illustrate how people lived from pre-history to the present day.   The famous Arts and Crafts Movement of the 1890s, inspired by William Morris, is represented here in a superb collection of international importance, which includes furniture and fine metalwork, much of it made by Cotswold craftsmen and women.

 
The Art Gallery contains Dutch and British paintings from the 17th century to the present day. Displays provide a vivid account of the Antarctic expedition of 1910-12, as seen through the eyes of the Cheltenham-born Edward Wilson, who accompanied Captain Scott on this ill-fated journey and recorded events in a diary. There is always something new to see at the Museum, with changing exhibitions taking place throughout the year. The Museum Shop sells posters, cards, presents and souvenirs, and you can enjoy lunch or a coffee in the peace of the Café Museum.

For further information on our Gallery & Museum in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire see our website.

GLOUCESTER FOLK MUSEUM

99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG
Tel: 01452 396868
E-mail: folk.museum@gloucester.gov.uk
Web: www.gloucester.gov.uk

The Folk Museum in Westgate Street takes a fascinating look at the social history, crafts, trades and industries of the City and County of Gloucester with everything from 16th century maces to 'groovy gadgets' of the 20th century!

There is a regular programme of exhibitions and a wide range of schools workshops, special events, holiday activities and various demonstrations throughout the year including activities for children in family groups. It is a registered museum, a quality assured visitor attraction and has won an MGM award for audience development. It is housed mainly on three floors of some of the oldest surviving timber-framed buildings in Gloucester: a Tudor merchant's house and a 17th century town house. It is said that the Protestant Bishop Hooper lodged here the night before he was burned at the stake in 1555. Brass pins were also made here by hand during the 18th and 19th centuries and are still found beneath the floorboards. The Museum has entered the 21st century with its NOF-funded project for the digitisation of collections and 'The Portal' interactive gallery. Recent extensions at the rear include a Dairy, an ironmonger's shop and wheelwright and carpenter workshops. There is also a garden with a relaxing water feature for those hot summer days.

Admission: Free to all. Open: All year, Tuesday - Saturday from 10am-5pm.
 

For further information on this museum in Gloucester, see our website.

TEWKESBURY MUSEUM

64 Barton Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 5PX
Tel: 01684 292901
E-mail: info@tewkesburymuseum.org
Web: www.tewkesburymuseum.org

Exhibits describing the social history of Tewkesbury & surrounding area, housed in attractive half-timbered building.

Large scale model of Battle of Tewkesbury. Archaeological collection and history archive. Come and visit our new Gallery and model fairground.
 

For further information on our Museum near the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire see our website.

THE COTSWOLDS MOTORING MUSEUM

The Old Mill, Sherbourne Street, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 2BY
Tel: 01451 821255
Web:  www.cotswold-motor-museum.com
Open Feb to Nov from 10am - 6pm daily!

With 6 galleries, you could spend hours in the award-winning museum. whether you're young or old. The Mill Gallery is bursting with cars, motorbikes, caravans and metal motoring signs.   Windrush Alley takes an enchanting look at motoring from street level. Discover the sights and smells of the Blacksmith's workshop, relive the 60s & 70s that's brought to life with a funky soundtrack from the era.

  
Motorsports makes a muddy splash, and the Guest Car Showroom has already featured a Model T-ford and a Quadrophenia exhibition! Also check out Country Garage, Collector's Room and the Toy collection. What's more the Museum is home to Brum, the famous yellow car from the hit BBC children's TV show-see where some of the show is filmed!

Call 01451 821255 or visit our website for further details on Cotswolds Motoring Museum in Bourton-on-the-Water.

HOPEWELL COLLIERY MINING MUSEUM

Cannop Hill, Speech House Road, Coleford, Gloucestershire
Tel: 01594 810706. (After 6pm please telephone 01594 832216).

Open daily from Easter to October. 10.00am - 4.00pm
(Last tour leaves approx. 3.00pm). Party bookings by arrangement.
Admission price:
Adult tours £4.00, Children (under 14) £3.00, Train Rides £1.00.

A True 'Free Mine' in the heart of the Forest. Regular guided underground tours, allowing visitors to walk through the mine workings to see the conditions in which the miners work. Have the methods used to extract the coal explained to them by a true Forest of Dean Free Miner. Parties exit the mine workings by the beautifully engineered old furnace level erected in the 1820's. There is a short stroll through the Forest along the course of an early tram road, back to the museum and cafeteria.
 

The Free Mining tradition, unique to the Forest of Dean, dates back many hundreds of years. It allows a miner born in the hundred of St. Briavels (broadly the area of the Forest) and who has worked for a year and a day in a local mine, to work for a claim or 'gale' in the Forest. There are now only a handful of Free Miners left. Before starting your tour you will have to enter the lamp room to be kitted out with a miners lamp and helmet. Please remember if you are going underground, Hopewell is a real mine so sturdy shoes and warm clothing should be worn.

Other facilities: Large free car park. Free admission to cafeteria, shop, surface museum and picnic rides. Mini loco train rides. *Conditions may present difficulties for some disabled visitors. Disabled visitors should telephone in advance.

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