The Museum in the Park

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The Museum in the Park

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The Museum in the Park is set in Stratford Park in the centre of Stroud, Gloucestershire. The Museum is housed on two floors in a Grade II 17th century wool merchant's mansion. Objects and colourful displays combined with exciting events combine to celebrate the rich history and heritage of the Stroud District. The modern extension houses temporary exhibitions and visitor facilities. We welcome fa

milies and children with something to offer visitors of all ages. Whether you are visiting the District or have lived here for many years, you are sure to find something that interests, inspires or amazes you. We also offer a small gift shop and café within the museum foyer.

02/06/2026

A glimpse of our current exhibition...

Don't miss the chance to see The Society of Wood Engravers’ 88th Annual Exhibition at the Museum in the Park

Tuesday 5th May - Sunday 21st June 2026

The Society of Wood Engravers (SWE) represents an international group of artists who produce prints using the relief printing technique known as wood engraving.

The Annual Exhibition features original prints which are stringently selected from an open submission. It tours several venues across the country throughout the year showcasing the best contemporary work from the United Kingdom and overseas.

The Society works closely with each gallery venue to ensure people throughout the UK have the opportunity to experience the work at first hand. All work is for sale.

We are delighted to welcome back this prestigious exhibition and hope you enjoy this fine and inspiring selection of intricate and varied works. Look out for pop up ‘Meet the Artist’ events and demonstrations - a chance to watch the fascinating process of wood engraving in action.

For further information about SWE and wood engraving visit the SWE website.

Admission free, works for sale.

31/05/2026

‘Forgotten Churches’: Jo Durrant in conversation with Luke Sherlock

Jo Durrant’s Beautiful Universe

Saturday 13th June 2026
2pm - 3pm

What connects St Edward’s Church in Stow on the Wold to St Mary the Virgin in Berkeley? They are just two of the 70 churches to feature in the book ‘Forgotten Churches: Exploring England’s Hidden Treasures’ by Luke Sherlock.

Luke Sherlock has a passion for sharing hidden stories from these extraordinary buildings and has spent years travelling the length and breadth of England. He joins Jo Durrant to reveal some remarkable architectural gems and forgotten tales from these atmospheric places.

Book via or website, or call 01453 763394.
https://buff.ly/G4cNuoB

Tickets £7.50 / £6 / £5 Museum Members - Membership is free to join

Tea & Coffee included

The conversation will be followed by a chance to ask questions and chat over tea and coffee if you wish, or explore the museum and walled garden.

29/05/2026

The Pickwick Papers - Open Air Theatre by Rain or Shine

Saturday 6th June 2026

- doors open at 5pm
- from 5.30pm to 8pm

Our summer theatre series opens with the delightfully chaotic Victorian world of The Pickwick Papers, where misadventure and merriment collide in a whirlwind of Dickensian absurdity!

Join the lovable Mr. Pickwick and his eccentric band of companions as they bumble their way through confusing courtships, courtroom shenanigans, questionable duels, and carriage rides gone terribly wrong. Expect fast-paced wit, slapstick, more multi-rolling mayhem, and a cast of larger-than-life characters in this brand new and hilarious adaptation.

Dickens has never been this delightfully unpredictable! Secure your seat, pack your picnic and prepare for an uproarious adventure with the Pickwick Society—where the only certainty is a thoroughly good time to be had by all!

Outdoor theatre show - please bring rugs or camping chairs to sit on and clothing to suit all weathers! Picnics welcome. Sorry, no dogs allowed (only service dogs).

Gates open at 5pm, show starts 5.30pm. Advance booking highly recommended.

Tickets £18 (£8 children) + booking fees. Book online (see the museum website) or telephone the Box Office (no booking fee): 0330 660 0541

27/05/2026

🐝 Buzz Club 🐝

Sunday 31st May 2026
11.30am - 1pm

Join us for Buzz Club. This year we’ll be creating a living diary of the Walled Garden, the special place at the heart of Stratford Park which celebrates its 10th Birthday this year. All welcome, come along and find out more.

BuzzClub meetings are facilitated by volunteers Peter and Pat and run from 11.30am to 1pm, drop in for all or part of the time.

Free, donations appreciated.

25/05/2026

The Society of Wood Engravers’ 88th Annual Exhibition

Tuesday 5th May - Sunday 21st June 2026

The Society of Wood Engravers (SWE) represents an international group of artists who produce prints using the relief printing technique known as wood engraving.

The Annual Exhibition features original prints which are stringently selected from an open submission. It tours several venues across the country throughout the year showcasing the best contemporary work from the United Kingdom and overseas.

The Society works closely with each gallery venue to ensure people throughout the UK have the opportunity to experience the work at first hand. All work is for sale.

We are delighted to welcome back this prestigious exhibition and hope you enjoy this fine and inspiring selection of intricate and varied works. Look out for pop up ‘Meet the Artist’ events and demonstrations - a chance to watch the fascinating process of wood engraving in action.

For further information about SWE and wood engraving visit the SWE website.

Admission free, works for sale.

The Society Of Wood Engravers

22/05/2026

Half Term Family Fun: 'Mechanical Marvels' Drop-in Workshop

Tuesday 26th May - Thursday 28th May 2026

Workshop times (drop-in): 10.30am to 3.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (last entry around 3pm).

Be inspired by the Museum collection and have fun making and creating this Half Term Holiday!

Create a mechanical creature or retro-robot taking inspiration from old machines on display in the museum. Explore simple block and stamp printing techniques guided by artist Alison Cockcroft. Be prepared to get a little bit messy!

For ages 5+, for families - adults and children - to enjoy together. In the Garden Room.

£1 per child, pay on the door.

21/05/2026

On Sunday we proudly launched our new display Home From Home: Our Migration Stories, shining a light on the lived experiences of migration within Stroud district.

The display brings together personal objects and stories from 12 local contributors who have direct or family experience of migration. Together, they have selected around 50 objects that reflect journeys from 11 different countries: India, Italy, Jamaica, Latvia, Lebanon, Poland, Romania, Syria, Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine.

From a Windrush-era sea voyage to Polish and Italian settlement after the Second World War, the display explores what home and belonging mean to people who have made Stroud district their home.

Objects range from the precious to the practical. From a tray cloth embroidered at sea in anticipation of a new life in Stroud, to a Polish refugee’s exercise book for practising English phrases, these individual objects reveal the sweep of history behind the personal stories.

Included are artworks by Dareth Guthrie, Alina Hamal and Yasemin Wigglesworth – as well as The Boat of Hope, a sculptural work on loan from Sanctuary Breaks which was created in 2024 by artist and ceramicist Sam Mukumba in collaboration with 13 people from the region with lived experience of seeking sanctuary.

These contemporary stories are set alongside historic objects from the museum’s collection, revealing how migration has shaped the district for thousands of years.

The display has been made possible thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and the Cowle Trust.

Home From Home: Our Migration Stories is now showing in the museum’s At Home gallery on the First Floor. The museum is free to enter and donations are always welcome.

1. Image of Carmela Guerrini from Italy, photographed at home in Stroud by Fulvio Naselli.
2. Windrush-inspired embroideries by Dareth Guthrie
3. The Boat of Hope sculpture, made by Sam Mukumba and 13 forced migrants with experience of seeking sanctuary (on loan from Sanctuary Breaks)

Read our press release here: https://buff.ly/MoKjIUK

20/05/2026

Celebrating 150 Years of Stroud Hospital

Saturday 23rd May - Sunday 31st May 2026

Presented by Stroud Hospitals League of Friends, this community exhibition in the Museum’s Meeting Room takes you on a journey through 150 years of Stroud Hospital’s history. Discover just how much has changed, and what has stayed the same, share memories and stories, and learn more about a building and service which has served the community for many decades.

The exhibition highlights the importance of the hospital to the local community. As well as explanatory posters, photographs and original drawings of the proposed hospital, there are items on display from the museum illustrating medical procedures and nurses uniforms. A highlight is a fascinating 3D model of the hospital itself, made by one of the porters.

Admission free, donations welcome.

14/05/2026

‘Black Yanks’: Jo Durrant in conversation with Dr Kate Werran

Saturday, 23rd May, 2026
2pm - 3pm

While the most audacious seaborne invasion ever attempted was taking place, a very different drama was being played out in the West Country. At the centre of it was Leroy Henry – an African American soldier on death row in wartime Britain, but there was an extraordinary campaign that set him free.

Author Dr Kate Werran joins Jo Durrant in conversation, to shine a spotlight on a little-known story from a famous moment in history. Kate is passionate about WW2 social history, and has carried out extensive research into the stories of the Black American army that was stationed in Britain before, during and after D-Day.

This interview-style event takes place in the Museum’s Walled Garden Pavilion, the glass-fronted room set within the gorgeous ‘secret garden’ borders hidden away at the heart of Stratford Park.

Tickets £7.50 / £6 / £5 Museum Members - Membership is free to join

Tea & Coffee included

Book online: https://buff.ly/Svy8rFm or call 01453 763394.

Address

The Museum In The Park, Stratford Park
Stroud
GL54AF

Telephone

01453 763394

Website

http://www.museuminthepark.org.uk/

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