Congleton Museum

Congleton Museum Congleton Museum is an interactive experience for the whole family. Figures from the past tell their stories, and interactive computers fill in the background.

An ancient log boat, cannonballs from the civil war and the town stocks – just some of the things you can see at Congleton Museum. The museum houses tableaux illustrating life in the town during prehistoric times, in the Civil War, in the heyday of the textile industry and during the Second World War. Relief maps show the changes over the centuries. The Civil War was particularly significant to Co

ngleton – a former mayor of the town, John Bradshaw, was first to sign Charles I’s death warrant. A cannonball from that time, still embedded in a piece of wall from Biddulph Hall, is in the museum. There are frequent temporary exhibitions, often involving the work of local schools. History walks through the town take place on the last Sunday of the month. Visiting the museum is free, but we rely on donations to support the cost of running the museum. Thank you!

We’re continuing to share stories from our volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week. Sue B. has been helping the museum im...
02/06/2026

We’re continuing to share stories from our volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week. Sue B. has been helping the museum improve and organise images of collection objects.

Sue says:
"I've been volunteering regularly at the museum, once a week, for a few months now, and I'm enjoying it very much. I've been working on a project which will see the museum's collection available to access on-line, with photos and information. There is so much of interest archived in the museum, and it will be wonderful to enable everyone to see it.

I was born in Congleton, and although I've lived in many places since, the history of Congleton is very much my, and my family's, history. My nana worked in the fustian mills; many family members worked in the textile mills; I remember the thriving market in the 60's, the shops of the 70's as I walked home through the town centre from school. I am often distracted while working on the database when an item stimulates memories.

I hope what I'm doing is useful to others, but I've learned so much too. I've met some lovely people, and I'm so humbled to see the huge interest people have in Congleton, both volunteers and visitors, many of whom have only recently made this town their home. If you have some time to spare, and it can be as little or as much as you can manage, I would recommend considering the museum. In addition to the database project I've also enjoyed helping with Roman Week and Easter activities; there are many diverse opportunities to get involved."

We are currently recruiting new volunteers to help with collections, research and exhibitions. Opportunities include digitisation, photography, documentation, research and creating online displays.

No experience is needed - training will be provided.
Apply through the museum website by 9 June.

Volunteers' Week starts today, and we want to celebrate the people who help make Congleton Museum possible.This week we ...
01/06/2026

Volunteers' Week starts today, and we want to celebrate the people who help make Congleton Museum possible.

This week we will share volunteer stories, feedback and opportunities to get involved.

We begin with our collections digitisation project. Pictured is Kevin R., who has photographed more than 400 objects over the past six months, helping prepare the museum collection for online publication.

Kevin:
Volunteering at the museum has been an incredibly rewarding experience, especially through my work on the project to photograph the collection for an online database.
I love getting to handle the artifacts up close; each one has a story to tell, and capturing it through my lens feels like preserving a piece of history. Beyond that, I’ve enjoyed meeting new people, from fellow volunteers to trustees and visitors, all united by a shared curiosity and passion.
I’ve also learned new skills along the way, from digital archiving to lighting techniques, and I’ve had the chance to help out at exhibitions and special events, which adds variety and excitement to my time there.
Best of all, the museum understands that life can be busy, so you can volunteer as much or as little of your time as you want, making it easy to stay involved without feeling overwhelmed.

We are now opening new opportunities for people who would like to work with the collection - from photography, digitisation and documentation to research, online exhibitions and future displays.

No experience is needed. Training will be provided.
Apply through the museum website by 9 June.

New talk tomorrow at Congleton Museum.- Who really lived in Bradshaw House? (No, it wasn’t John Bradshaw)- Where is Blac...
29/05/2026

New talk tomorrow at Congleton Museum.

- Who really lived in Bradshaw House? (No, it wasn’t John Bradshaw)
- Where is Black Lion Court?
- Why did Congleton change its coat of arms in 1967?

Join local historian Mike Tingle for Congleton Curios - a fascinating journey through the hidden details, forgotten stories and surprising features hiding in plain sight around the town.

📅 Saturday 30 May, 11am
📍 Congleton Museum

And one challenge before the talk: do you know where this feature can be found in Congleton?

An inspiring strategy meeting today with our Trustees and the Museum Development North team, discussing the future of Co...
28/05/2026

An inspiring strategy meeting today with our Trustees and the Museum Development North team, discussing the future of Congleton Museum and the ideas and projects ahead.

We’d love to hear your thoughts too - what should the museum focus on more in the coming years? What would make you visit more often?

And by the way - our next event is already this Saturday at 11am.
Congleton Curios: Hiding in Plain Sight
Speaker: Mike Tingle

Discover the treasures of Congleton MuseumWhat if you could go behind the scenes, open the boxes, explore old photograph...
27/05/2026

Discover the treasures of Congleton Museum

What if you could go behind the scenes, open the boxes, explore old photographs, handle objects from Congleton’s past and help bring their stories to life?

We are now opening new volunteer opportunities.

1. Collections Care Volunteers
Work directly with the museum collections, helping to check object locations, review documentation and bring records into better order. A separate group will focus on photography, scanning and digitisation, helping to make the collection accessible.

2. Research and Exhibitions Volunteers
Explore the parts of the collection that interest you most. Research objects, themes and local stories, help prepare short texts and collection presentations, and contribute to online exhibitions and future displays at the museum.

Daytime, evening and weekend opportunities will be available. Some tasks can also be done online.
No previous experience is needed. Training and support will be provided.

Do not miss this chance to get closer to Congleton Museum’s collections than ever before. Leave your application on the museum website by 9 June.

A busy month is coming up at Congleton Museum - with two talks, one town walk and a special evening of memories.First up...
26/05/2026

A busy month is coming up at Congleton Museum - with two talks, one town walk and a special evening of memories.

First up:

Congleton Curios: Hiding in Plain Sight
Saturday 30 May, 11am
Speaker: Mike Tingle

How well do you really know Congleton?

Even if you have lived here for years, there may still be strange details, hidden symbols and curious features you have walked past hundreds of times without noticing. This talk will reveal some of the town’s overlooked stories - from carved shields and vanished buildings to Black Lion Court, the Eltan Rooms and the secrets of the Town Hall.

Also coming soon:

Bossons Tea and Chat - Wednesday 10 June, 6.30pm
We are preparing a new exhibition about Bossons and are looking for former factory workers - including paintresses, designers and others connected with the factory - to share memories and stories.
Free entry.

Shadows in the Town - Sunday 21 June, 2pm
A guided walk through Congleton, looking at flood stones, fragments of vanished buildings and other traces of the past still hiding in plain sight. Led by Peter Aston. Starts at the Museum.

John Walker of Congleton: Much More Than Just a Hoarder - Saturday 27 June, 11am
The story behind the 17th-century coin hoard found in 1992 - and the Congleton man connected with it. Speaker: David Jackson

Add the dates to your calendar - and join us for a month of local stories, hidden details and memories of the town.

Photo: Have you spotted this cockerel above Congleton? Do you know which building it belongs to?

Today we held the second walk in this year’s historical walks programme - History of Congleton Leisure Activities, led b...
17/05/2026

Today we held the second walk in this year’s historical walks programme - History of Congleton Leisure Activities, led by Heather Watson.

The walk explored the places where generations of Congleton residents relaxed and entertained themselves, from cinemas and swimming baths to boating in the park. The photo shows the group standing opposite the place where the boating station once stood.

One participant shared a wonderful memory of going boating there as a teenager with her boyfriend. Wanting to stay out longer, they pretended to be French and not understand when they were called back in - before drifting away giggling!

Thank you to everyone who joined us today.

Next walk: Shadows in the Town, Sunday 21 June, 2pm - Peter Aston will reveal traces of the old town still visible today, including flood markers, fragments of lost buildings and other details many of us pass without noticing.

Upcoming talk: Congleton Curios: Hiding in Plain Sight, Saturday 30 May, 11am - Mike Tingle will share curious, surprising and often overlooked stories behind familiar places and objects around Congleton.

Many people in Congleton still remember the Capitol Cinema - from Saturday morning children’s screenings and “Penny Rush...
13/05/2026

Many people in Congleton still remember the Capitol Cinema - from Saturday morning children’s screenings and “Penny Rush” queues, to courting couples hoping for seats at the back. Opened in 1927 with room for 800 people, the cinema later became a bingo hall and even housed the famous “Q” Snooker Club before demolition. One local article joked: “Goodbye, old friend - if only your back row could have talked!”

Discover more stories about Congleton’s leisure history on a guided walk with Heather Watson this Sunday. The walk starts at 2pm from Congleton Museum. Tickets are £10, or £7 for Friends of the Museum. And after the walk, stay with us for a proper Sunday treat - tea, scones and a chance to carry on the conversation.

On Saturday we hosted a fascinating talk on the history of Bossons, and we are now hoping the local community may be abl...
11/05/2026

On Saturday we hosted a fascinating talk on the history of Bossons, and we are now hoping the local community may be able to help with two follow-up requests.

One of the attendees is looking for pieces from the 1959 Stars of Disneyland collection. Her mother was the paintress for this collection, and she would very much like to find one or more pieces to purchase. The collection included the characters shown in the photo, as well as Mickey Mouse.

If anyone has any of these Bossons pieces and would consider selling them, please get in touch with us.

We were also very pleased to meet another former Bossons worker at the talk, but unfortunately we did not manage to exchange contact details. If you see this post, please do contact the museum - we would love to hear from you.

Address

Market Square
Congleton
CW121ET

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 4:15pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 4:15pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4:15pm
Friday 10:30am - 4:15pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4:15pm
Sunday 12pm - 4:15pm

Telephone

01260 276360

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Congleton Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Congleton Museum:

Share

Category