Museum of Carpet

Once a thriving carpet factory, the Stour Vale Mill is now home to the only Museum of Carpet in the country. As a centre of heritage, art and industry the Museum of Carpet has four galleries that celebrate the history of carpet design, the evolution of carpet manufacture and the heritage of those who worked in local industry.Visit us today and try your hand at weaving and designing on our clever interactives, or watch our talented team of volunteers spin wool, weave Kidderminster stuff and produce Wilton & Axminster rugs on our 19th and 20th century looms. The Museum has two weaving sheds, and four galleries decked out with modern interactives, stunning photographs and immersive videos. You can try your hand at designing, weaving or exploring Kidderminsters history, virtually, on our clever interactives.Children of all ages are welcome to take on our museum trail, hunting Walter the Weaver around the galleries before taking the fun home with them, with one of the museums, brand new, activity packs available in our gift shop.This vibrant, spacious, and modern museum is the perfect venue for a fun day. Click here to secure your tickets in advance, or for more information visit www.museumofcarpet.orgEvents, Workshops & Research The Museum of carpet is more than a centre of heritage, art and industry it is a centre for the community to enjoy. The museum hosts a series of workshops and events throughout the year, including an annual exhibition and behind the Scenes the Museum of Carpet Archives and Library are open to the public for research. The Museum collection contains over 27,500 objects, only a fraction of which can be displayed within the museum at any one time. Amongst the carpet designs, ledgers, machinery, books, films and photos, the museum also holds an almost complete print run of the Kidderminster Shuttle since its launch in 1870.Gift Shop Why not take a part of the Museum home with you from our one-of-a-kind gift shop. Available to buy are Axminster and Wilton Rugs woven in live demonstrations at the Museum of Carpet and a variety of handmade items including, cushions, bags and needle cases crafted from material woven on our 19th century handlooms. As the only stockist of local history books in the area, the Museum of Carpet is the place to fill your library with works on the carpet trade, Kidderminster and its surrounding towns. Our gift shop is open to visitors and non-visitors alike, all are welcome to call in at any time to search for that special gift.Room Hire Looking for a safe, modern space to meet? With excellent conference facilities, modern meeting rooms, and an activity space for art groups, childrens activities and educational visits, the museum hosts a variety of events annually. The museum also offers its meeting rooms and activity space for room hire. For more details on upcoming events and workshops visit the Museum of Carpet website www.museumofcarpet.org or to enquire about hiring one of our spaces email bookings@museumofcarpet.org.uk or call 01562 69028.Support Support this local museum and become a Friend of the Museum of Carpet. Friends of the Museum of Carpet receive free tickets, discounted entry and invitation to private views, parties and special events. Part of a company? Become a Corporate Partner, seize the opportunity to network with other professions, and advertise your own services while financially supporting, and celebrating the carpet industry.Group Visits The Museum of Carpet is a fantastic resource for local and countrywide groups providing visits, covering topics of local, social and industrial history, designing and weaving. Discover how carpets were made locally in Kidderminster then sold regionally, nationally and internationally. Meet Weavers, Spinners and ex-Carpet Industry Workers and find about how they lived and worked. Compare carpet weaving before and after the Industrial Revolution.