Name: Museum of Carpet
Rating: 5.0

Museum of Carpet

Carpet Museum Trust, Green Street, Kidderminster DY10 1AZ, UK

1-99 Years

1635
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Description

The Museum of Carpet opened on 12th October 2012 and is the only Museum in the UK dedicated to celebrating the heritage, art and industry of carpet making. The story of Kidderminster’s carpet industry is brought to life by our dedicated and passionate team of volunteers, most of whom lived and worked in Kidderminster during its carpet industry heyday.

visitors to explore with the unique story of Kidderminster, once known as the ‘Carpet Capital of the World’, through visuals, photos, films and interactives, which children and adults alike thoroughly enjoy trying out.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Weaving Demonstrations: Watch skilled volunteers operate traditional hand looms and historic power looms, giving you a rare look at industrial craftsmanship.
Interactive Exhibits: Engage with the history of the industry by designing your own digital rugs and trying your hand at basic weaving techniques.
Educational Day Out: Learn about the daily lives of Victorian factory workers and the evolution of carpet design from the 18th century to the present.
Children's Trail: A fun scavenger-style quest where kids help "Walter the Weaver" solve clues and find missing parts of his loom throughout the galleries.
Dress-up Corner: A popular area where younger children can try on Victorian-style clothing and imagine life in a historic carpet factory.

Top 5 Highlights

The Weaving Shed: The heart of the museum where you can see massive power looms in action and appreciate the scale of the machinery.
Hand Loom Demos: Watch local weavers maintain the traditional skills that originally put Kidderminster on the map.
The Design Archive: A treasure trove of historic sketches and patterns from world-renowned designers like Charles Voysey and Bernat Klein.
Victorian Factory Life Display: A hands-on area that explains the realities of industrial work in a relatable, child-friendly way.
The Gallery Exhibitions: Rotating displays that showcase both historic pieces and contemporary carpet art, highlighting how the industry continues to evolve.

Facilities

Toilets: Fully accessible toilets are available on the ground floor.
Accessibility: The museum features level access throughout all galleries and includes audio/large-print guides for visitors with additional needs.
Buggy/Access: The galleries are spacious and stroller-friendly, allowing easy movement around the exhibits.
Food: While the museum does not have a formal café, it is located centrally in Kidderminster with many local options nearby.
Parking: No on-site parking; however, a public pay-and-display car park is located immediately opposite the museum entrance.

Pro-Tips

Check the Schedule: Because the museum is volunteer-led, power loom demonstrations generally happen around 12:00 pm on opening days, so time your visit accordingly.
Accessibility Support: If you have children with sensory sensitivities, staff are often happy to accommodate by dimming lights or reducing noise if you mention it upon arrival.
Combined Visit: Combine your trip with a visit to the nearby Severn Valley Railway for a full day of Kidderminster's industrial heritage.

Targeted FAQ

Is it worth it for toddlers? The museum is very welcoming, with dress-up areas and interactive trails, though it is primarily designed for primary-school-aged children who can engage with the weaving and history activities.
How long does a visit take? Most families spend between 1.5 and 2 hours exploring the galleries, watching the loom demonstrations, and completing the children's activity trails.
Where is the best place to park? The most convenient parking is the public pay-and-display car park located immediately opposite the museum on Green Street.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

The staff and volunteers are consistently praised for being incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and patient with children.
Parents often highlight how the "hands-on" approach makes potentially "dry" historical topics like manufacturing feel engaging and accessible for younger kids.
The museum is celebrated for its inclusive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile for children with additional needs.

What Visitors Don't Like

The museum is volunteer-run, so opening hours can sometimes change or be subject to staffing availability.
The lack of an on-site café can be a slight inconvenience for families who prefer a "one-stop" destination.

What to see

Detailed Inventory: Museum Collections

18th-Century Carpet Designs: Rare archived illustrations showing early industrial patterns.
Bernat Klein Pattern Sketches: Iconic mid-century designs showcasing the artistic side of the industry.
Charles Voysey Design Archive: A collection of sketches from the famous British architect and designer.
Edouard Glorget Prints: Detailed textile patterns from the museum’s international collection.
Traditional Hand Looms: Fully functional antique looms used for daily demonstrations.
Victorian Shuttle Tools: Small, intricate wooden tools used by weavers in the 19th century.
Power Loom Components: Massive iron parts that once drove the town's large-scale production.
Textile Dyeing Samples: Historical swatches demonstrating the evolution of colour in carpet manufacture.
"Festival Rug" Exhibit: A celebrated contemporary design piece marking the museum's 10th anniversary.
Industrial Photographs: A large archive of images showing the town’s landscape and factory interiors from the 1800s onwards.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Severn Valley Railway: Experience a trip back in time on this 16-mile heritage railway. Board a majestic steam train at Kidderminster Town Station for a scenic journey through the Severn Valley.
West Midland Safari Park: Just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, this park offers a four-mile drive-through safari to see exotic animals, plus an adventure theme park with rides and the "Land of the Living Dinosaurs" exhibit.
Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve: One of Britain's largest ancient woodlands, perfect for hiking, cycling, or swinging through the trees at the high-ropes adventure course.
Brinton Park: A beautiful Victorian-style "people's park" that is ideal for a gentle stroll, featuring playgrounds and green spaces for children to run around.
Bewdley Museum: Located in the nearby riverside town of Bewdley, this museum dives into local crafts like pottery and pewter, as well as the history of the surrounding Severn Valley.
Drakelow Tunnels: A fascinating, 3.5-mile long underground military complex built during WWII, offering a unique look at the area's wartime history.

New for 2026

Reopening and Revitalisation: After facing significant financial challenges in late 2025, the museum successfully reopened its galleries on March 28, 2026, thanks to the tireless efforts of its trustees and dedicated volunteers.
Future Transformation Project: The museum is currently embarking on a new business model supported by a targeted transformation grant from the Wyre Forest District Council. This initiative is designed to secure the museum’s long-term future and ensure its unique collection and industrial heritage remain accessible for generations to come.
Enhanced Community Engagement: As part of the museum’s "fresh future," there is an increased focus on strengthening partnerships with the local town council and developing a sustainable operational model to protect this vital piece of British textile history.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Room Hire: We have excellent conference facilities, modern meeting rooms, and activity spaces for groups, children’s activities, regular classes or workshops. If you are looking to hire room space in the Wyre Forest or Worcestershire area then do get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

The Richard Pugh Cook Room: On the first floor and is a flexible space which can be hired as a whole room for conferences or lectures seating up to 65 people. This room comes fully equipped with a projector, screen, wi-fi access and access to a kitchen.

Business Rate is £160 plus VAT/Full Day, £80 plus VAT/Half Day.
Charity/Community Rate is £128 plus VAT/Full Day, £64 plus VAT/Half Day.

The Community Space: On the ground floor and is a welcoming, comfortable space perfect for community groups and activities. Open to the museum galleries, its relaxed, airy atmosphere ensures visitors feel completely at ease. This space can seat up to 12 people.

Business Rate is £100 plus VAT/Full Day, £80 plus VAT/Half Day.
Charity/Community Rate is £80/Full Day, £40 plus VAT/Half Day.

The Education Room: On the ground floor and separate from the gallery space. The Education Room offers a well lit, open, quiet and versatile space. This room can hold up to 40 people.

Business Rate is £120 plus VAT/Full Day, £60 plus VAT/Half Day.
Charity/Community Rate is £96 plus VAT/Full Day, £48 plus VAT/Half Day.

The Boardroom: Opposite the archive room, the Boardroom is a professional but adaptable space perfect for meetings and groups. This room can hold up to 18 people.

Business Rate is £140 plus VAT/Full Day, £70/Half Day.
Charity/Community Rate is £112/Full Day, £56/Half Day.

Contact us at bookings@museumofcarpet.org.uk & 01562 69028.

For more information please visit: https://museumofcarpet.org.uk/room-hire/

The Museum is open on Saturdays and Tuesday between 10am and 2pm.

Address: Carpet Museum Trust, Green Street, Kidderminster DY10 1AZ, UK

Post Code: DY10 1AZ

Council: Wyre Forest

County: Worcestershire

Car: The museum does not have its own parking, but there is a pay and display car park immediately opposite. Blue badge spaces are available in this car park. Please note Morrisons’ car park (immediately adjacent) is reserved for supermarket customers only and has a restricted time limit for parking (2.5 hours).
Bus: The nearest bus stop is Green Street.
Rail: Arrive at Kidderminster station. Walk down Comberton Hill and use the subway under the roundabout to reach Green Street. Walk 100m along Green Street and the Museum of Carpet is on your left.
Parking: The museum does not have its own parking, but there is a pay and display car park immediately opposite. Blue badge spaces are available in this car park.