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County Indexes Worcestershire Museums and Arts Forge Mill Needle Museum
County Indexes Worcestershire Museums and Arts Forge Mill Needle Museum 
Forge Mill Needle Museum |
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 The Forge Mill Needle Museum tells the fascinating and sometimes gruesome story of needle making in Victorian times. The Mill is a listed building which houses original water-powered machinery. Models and recreated scenes provide a vivid illustration of how needles were once made and how Redditch came to dominate the world needle trade. The museum was opened by the Queen in 1983. Step back in time and experience the atmosphere of a Victorian needle polishing mill. The scouring mill is the only one of its kind remaining in the world! The museum has become a regional centre for textile lovers. It hosts the Charles Henry Foyle Trust National Textile competition, which attracts enthusiasts from all over the country. There is also a varied and lively programme of temporary exhibitions which are housed in the Mill. Just a short walk from the Mill are the ruins of Bordesley Abbey, a medieval Cistercian Abbey, which has been extensively excavated. The Visitor centre tells the extraordinary story of the Abbey from its early development in the 12th century to its destruction in the 16th century by Henry VIII, during the dissolution of the monasteries. You are free to explore the remains of the Abbey accompanied by brother Nicholas in the audio tour of the site. Some of the exhibits are quite grisly! You can encounter a human skeleton from the 15th century and learn about medieval death and disease. Or, perhaps you might like to hear the spooky ghost story of the black dog of Arden. For the younger members of the family, there is Brother Bear’s family fun challenge throughout the gallery and the archaeology back pack for budding archaeologists. The museum has a superb shop selling souvenirs and a wide selection of high quality and unusual needles. Telephone 01527 62509 |
Featured Attraction
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How Stean Gorge How Stean is a spectacular limestone gorge, situated in an Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, in the very heart of Nidderdale among lush green pastures. Known as 'Yorkshire's Little Switzerland' to the Victorians, the Gorge is crossed by narrow bridges between the rocky paths that lead down and across the rock face. The scenery is breathtaking, and the beck that runs through the Gorge can be anything from a gentle stream to a raging gushing torrent - depending on the rainfall and time of year. |
