Nestled in the beautiful grounds of Stroud's Stratford Park, Museum in the Park offers a fantastic day out, promising to fascinate visitors of all age groups with its jam-packed calendar of events and exhibitions — as well as its unmissable 'secret garden'.
With so much to discover, SoGlos rounds up 9 of the best reasons to visit the Grade II-listed 17th-century wool merchant’s house.
It's free to visit!
Families can save their pennies at Museum in the Park, with entry being completely free — along with free parking and the opportunity to explore the wider park, too — so you can come back again and again.
Of course, optional donations are welcome, as these help support the collections work and events programme.
Join the Museum Membership programme
As well as being free to enter, you can even join its membership programme free of charge.
Get closer to the museum's collections and stories than ever before and become involved with exciting new initiatives — whether you’d like an excuse to visit more frequently or would prefer to enjoy priority content from home, through its membership emails, there's something for everyone.
For more information regarding the museum's memberships, visit museuminthepark.org.uk/memberships.
Peek inside the secret garden
Created in the 1700s but officially brought back to life in 2016, peek inside the ‘secret' contemporary Walled Garden at Museum in the Park, with plenty of outdoor space and floral features to explore — there's even an orchard of Gloucestershire apple and pear trees!
Throughout the summer season, you might even have chance to enjoy some alfresco theatre, with previous performances including The Little Mermaid and The Tempest.
Support the wider collections
The collection currently consists of around 57,000 objects, of which 4,000 are on display at Museum in the Park. Most items are strongly connected with the Stroud District and help to paint a picture of life there in years gone by.
Representing all aspects of human and geological life in the district, the collection spans dinosaur bones and ancient coins found in the area, to fine art and even the world's first lawnmower — and thanks to public donations, the museum has acquired objects through the Treasure Act, such as a hoard of nine 4th century Roman siliquae found at Nailsworth.
You can see the 'eye-popping' pachycormus fish head in the Fossil Fish From The Jurassic Seas on display until Sunday 29 September 2024.
Explore exciting exhibitions and events
There's plenty of varied temporary exhibitions and events scheduled throughout the calendar year in its modern, purpose-built art gallery, with kid-friendly elements throughout — including interactive toys and peep holes into cabinets at child-height.
For example, right now until Sunday 1 September 2024, there's the opportunity to see zero waste ceramic artist Cleo Mussi join forces with ethical horticulturalist and organic flower farmer Fiona Haser Bizony to create a botanical, floral seasonal display for 'Photosynthesis'; or 'Fossil Fish from the Jurassic Seas', showcasing recently discovered fossils from King's Stanley, until Sunday 29 September 2024.
To check out upcoming exhbitions and events, visit museuminthepark.org.uk/calendar.
Borrow a Memory Box
Full of evocative objects which are intended to be handled and used — such as an old turn dial telephone, pre decimal money and a Green Shield stamp book — the memory containers at the museum can be borrowed by anyone who feels they would be useful to stimulate memories and stories, especially if they can help to maintain or rebuild relationships.
Family and informal carers, those living with dementia, care home members, small groups or individuals can borrow the containers, offering those the chance to listen to family members, friends and those you care for, talk about their lives. You may be surprised by what you hear!
Browse the gift shop
Browse for gifts, cards, trinkets and all kinds of lovely local treats.
The gift shop is brimming with a fantastic selection of unique gifts, with much of what the museum sells being sourced from local suppliers, so you're sure to find that extra special something for an extra special someone — and every purchase you make helps to support the museum in an important way.
Enjoy refreshments
The museum also offers a selection of hot and cold drinks, from freshly ground coffee to chilled juices, plus quality snacks — including vegan and gluten free options.
Perfect for the warmer seasons, Museum in the Park also stocks a delicious range of ice creams to help you keep cool, including locally sourced Winstones Ice Cream tubs.
Welcoming and warm volunteers
Of course, the community museum couldn't run without its wonderful volunteers who help to provide a warm and welcoming experience to over 50,000 annual visitors, and to assist with the daily running of both the museum and garden.
If you have an interest in local history and the role the Stroud District has played internationally and enjoy meeting people, then you might consider joining the museum team as a volunteer.
For more information, visit museuminthepark.org.uk/volunteering-at-mip.
