Red House Museum and Gardens — Attraction in Christchurch

I have been past this Museum many times. Parked outside it many times. Photographed it from outside many times. Seen it from my visits to Christchurch Priory many times. However in the many years now I have never been inside. Until on the 14th November 2018, I went inside. I was met by one of the volunteers who told me that the museum was free yet relied on donations. He went onto tell me about some of the history connected to this former Poor Work House, they do produce two pamphlets for 50 pence each, which I purchased to read up at a later date. I have to say inside was great the museum was well laid out with all kinds of artefacts from years gone by. This Museum along with its gardens is dedicated to local Christchurch history. This building was built in 1764 which makes it a Georgian house is was used first as the Parish Workhouse. Then back in the early 20th Century it was taken over by Herbert Druitt a local Antiquarian and the collections he already had given him the basis for this museum to be started and thus opened in 1951. The building is a grade 11 listed building now. Back in 1745 the Churchwardens who were the overseers of the poor in Christchurch purchased the barn at the corner of Church Lane and Quay Road to provide more space for the towns many poor people. Thus in 1764, a purpose-built brick poorhouse was built on this site and remained as this until it was replaced by a much larger workhouse in 1881 to the north of Christchurch. The Red House Museum is now free to enter Museum and many exhibits are on display here to show local history. On the ground floors is a period Kitchen Gallery, a Victorian day's gone Gallery and a display of dress and costumes in the days of the 1930’s the main Gallery being the former stables displays regular changing exhibits. Upon the first floor, there are Archaeology Galleries covering local Bronze Age and Saxon burials and finds associated with nearby Hengistbury Head. There is a Local History Resource Room with public access to several thousand historical photographs, local trade directories, electoral registers, and other research material. There is also an archive of historical documents that is viewable by appointment. The Red House Museum is presently owned by Hampshire County Council and operated by the Hampshire Cultural Trust. It receives funding from Dorset County Council and Christchurch...

Lovely place full of history. It is free entry, but a donation if you are able is suggested. They have booklets with info at desk for 50p each (they will help guide you a little). There is alot to see including artifacts from the Victorian era and the last few hundred years, plus local items , stone jars, kitchen items, pieces relating to the old workhouse where the museum stands and older artifacts and info from iron age etc.

There is an upstairs too with so much info, if you are interested in history give it 2 hours and unlike places like British Museum it is not too overwhelmed with pieces so you can give each piece the time it deserves.

There is also things for the kids to do (probably over 3 is best for them to enjoy it, but younger would enjoy dinosaurs) - inside there are old dolls and farms to look at, dress up to play and activities and info at lower height level to enjoy. Outside there are big dinosaurs to enjoy as well as a herb garden (perhaps more to see in summer, was quite bare when we went in march!) And some beautiful trees and flowers.

They have a cafe and courtyard seating too.

Access: I do not believe they have a lift and alot of artifacts are on second floor. Though the museum entrance is wide, the rooms with artifacts are small and the outside has a few steps up and down in places, i imagine a pushchair for example, would struggle so wheelchairs too, is my personal opinion placed here to help people decide if it is...

A friendly museum free to locals. It is set in an old workhouse. There is parking right outside on the road or 2 car parks within a 5 minute walk. The ground floor is mainly level for wheelchairs although there are stairs to the first and second floors. As you enter the museum there is a reception and gift shop. To your left is the museum set over 3 floors. The ground floor mainly displays general household items, toys and costumes from the past. Upstairs there is a research room. The rest of the floors let you travel from prehistory up to today. Displays are very interesting and include mannequins, fossils, stuffed animals and man made items through the ages. Outside includes pretty gardens containing historic plants, herbs and a pond. Also on the ground floor inside is an exhibition area which changes...