Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings — Attraction in Bromsgrove

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings is an open-air museum of rescued buildings which have been relocated to its site in Stoke Heath, a district of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. Founded in 1963 and opened in 1967, the museum was conceived following the dismantling of a 15th-century timber-framed house in Bromsgrove in 1962 to provide a location for its reconstruction. It became England's first open-air museum and the second in the United Kingdom. This building is known as the medieval 'Town House' today, though it has been known by other names in the past, including the 'Bromsgrove House' and the 'Merchant's House'. It now houses a collection of domestic, industrial, agricultural and other forms of historic building, the majority dismantled and re-erected.

The museum's collection comprises more than 30 buildings and structures which have been relocated from their original sites under threat of demolition, being rebuilt and restored at the museum. This includes a fully functioning windmill and a post WW2 prefab house as used in many towns and cities after the Second World War to provide quick affordable replacements for houses destroyed by bombing. The Arcon V prefabricated house was originally constructed on Moat Lane in Yardley, Birmingham and was transported to the museum in 1981.

Weddings and receptions are frequently held in The New Guesten Hall, a building at the museum which was built to incorporate the preserved timber roof of Guesten Hall, originally built next to Worcester Cathedral for entertaining the Prior's guests. The New Guesten Hall is also used by outside parties for concerts, conferences, exhibitions and meetings. The museum's Victorian church, originally built in 1891 at Bringsty Common, Herefordshire, was opened and re-dedicated in 1996 and services are held there during the museum's open season. The church is also licensed for wedding blessings. The other exhibits, which span over 700 years of history, include a perry mill from Redditch, a toll house from Little Malvern, a fibreglass spire from Smethwick, an earth closet, a cruck-frame barn and a...

Staffed extensively by volunteers this is a wonderful, 19 acre open space to walk around and see different buildings through the ages. Almost Worcestershire's answer to the black country museum but with less guiding and no traffic! It's got parking on site but the industrial estate ring the corner allows some extra hassle free parking too. The cafe on site has its charm and the food and drink are quick and pleasant. There are a range of buildings that have been saved and lovingly restored, set amidst grass, natural paths, orchards and some beautiful trees and meadows. The people are friendly, there is some local produce. It was a free heritage weekend! So just a free online ticket later and we were there, watching a battle reenactment, sword lessons, Victorian children's games, lots of village demonstrations and other open day events and eventa. it was great weather, I think it would still be worth a paid visit in a little rain, such was the ability to get into the buildings and look around or admire the craftsmanship or the way they had captured the old culture and use and made the rooms come to life. Great for schools too I would imagine. Take a blanket and a picnic and make the most if you want to make the ticket stretch rather than sandwiches, cake and hot drinks from the cafe. Which sets you back about £12 for three drinks and two cakes, or again, for two sandwiches and a drink. Quite good value overall. Something to do,...

I'd say on a normal day this is interesting enough to visit, especially for architects given its focus. I didn't visit on a normal day though. I visited when they had tons of visitors who are enthusiasts of historical themes from victorian to medieval times and napoleonic war to world war 2. When is one of these days then i would recommend anyone from ANY part of the UK to get there!

It was absolutely amazing! From the outfits people wore to the genuine weaponry and other items they displayed. Not only this but they were passionate about teaching us and showing us historical things from information of guns and how they operated to olde seemstresses and pike men given demonstrations. It was overwhelming to see diverse generations coming together and passing on teaching to others, and to keep history alive instead of being forgotten about by the young generations. There is something about physically stepping into an old house that a digital vr tour just can't touch.

I have rated the museum 3/5 based on normal days as it is an angry climax compared to the event days lol. However when it is one of these days where all the enthusiasts are there then it is EASILY 10 out of 5!

Is this days when it is one of the best attractions in the whole of the UK in my opinion. And i wish the museum and the enthusiasts all the very best in the future with lots more of these events. Keep it...