Trowbridge Museum is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered! Situated in the Shires Shopping Centre and open since 1990, the museum tells the rich story of the town and its residents, as well as the impact of the woollen cloth trade and industrial revolution.
Plus, it’s home to a whole range of great activities and events for families to enjoy. The school holiday activities for children and families are bookable in advance, with many of them being absolutely FREE!
Through fascinating objects, unique textile related machinery and wonderful images, you can learn how the town developed from medieval times as a Magna Carta Baron town, to a prominent mill town, eventually producing West of England Cloth which was sought after across the world.
Following its reopening in 2021 after a Heritage Lottery funded redevelopment, the museum features brand new exhibits set across two floors, with fantastic views across Wiltshire, a ‘break out’ area for visitors to try their hand at weaving, and of course everyone’s favourite – Stumpy the Sheep (pictured above)!
At the heart of the museum is the Learning Hub, where the team host engaging workshops and events for all ages. Here you can develop a new skill, fully immerse yourself in our history and enhance your creativity. The Learning & Outreach team also deliver fantastic school and the Lifelong Learning programmes throughout the Trowbridge community.
Among the activities and events coming up this summer is a whole range of Family Craft Workshops.
Free Drop-in crafts in The Shires Shopping Centre
Tuesday 1 & Tuesday 15 August, 10.30 – 2.30
Age: 5+ (no advance booking)
Fabulous Football Tote Bag (ages 8+)
Friday 28 July
Celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup by decorating a canvas bag with football-inspired motifs.
Time: 10.30 and 1.30
Age: 8+
Cost: £3.50 includes tote bag
Holiday Journals
Wednesday 2 August
Learn how to make a simple notebook, then customise the front cover with your own sizzling designs.
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Quiet session: 9.45 – 10.15
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
Fun Fold-up Fans
Friday 4 August
Keep cool for the rest of the summer with these handy paper fans.
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
Whirling Windmills
Wednesday 9 August
This summer holiday classic is back!
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Quiet session: 9.45 – 10.15
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
Mechanical Sailing Boat in a Box
Friday 11 August
Create a miniature seafaring boat navigating choppy seas.
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Age: 8+
Cost: Free
Tie-dye T-shirts
Wednesday 16 & 18 August
Join in for another chilled out tie-dye workshop and take home a damp but dazzling T.shirt . . . This year an extra date has been due to popular demand (see below).
Time: 10.30 and 1.30
Age: 8+
Cost: £3.50 includes T-shirt
Snapping Creature Puppets
Wednesday 23 August
Using simple origami, have a go at making mischievous snapping sharks and crocodiles!
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
Woven Wonders: Paper Fish
Friday 25 August
Have fun weaving a beautiful fish out of strips of paper and recycled materials.
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Quiet session: 9.45 – 10.15
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
Woven Wonders: Bookmark
Wednesday 30 August
Complete your back-to-school kit with a brightly coloured bookmark using paper weaving techniques.
Time: 10.30, 11.30, 1.30 & 2.30
Quiet session: 9.45 – 10.15
Age: 5+
Cost: Free
For more details on the current events programme, including what’s on during the school holidays go to Museum’s website at: What’s on – Trowbridge Museum