Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse — Attraction in Northwich

The Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse - A great old building that celebrates the various industries in Cheshire

What is the Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse?

The Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse is a museum that is located in Northwich, Cheshire. There is a partial workhouse with a museum that emphasises the different industries that played a key role in the lives of people that lived in Cheshire. This included salt making, coal mining, ship-yards, and the Police.

This museum holds a number of temporary and permanent exhibitions that take place throughout the year.

On the Ground Floor there is a small cinema for an introductory video, temporary exhibition space and the partial workhouse.

On the top floor there is the different exhibitions about some of the important industries that played a significant role to the people of Cheshire.

Exhibitions Visited

All Our Stories

This exhibition is an empowering one that highlights the challenges that people face whom have learning disabilities. This group of people held a play. This small exhibition is playful, interactive and engaging. The props on show were lovely and unique. They helped to tell the story. This consisted of Gruel which is old food that has oats. There was also a bowl and spoon. In addition there was a bell to determine the time.

There was a dress up corner with a great variety of clothes and hats that you can wear and try on. The material was lovely but it was heavy at the same time.

The Workhouse

The introductory video in the cinema was good. It gave you a short insight into the lives of people that lived at the workhouse all those years ago.

A partial one is still part of this building. It was great knowing that people were segregated based on sex, age and other factors. Learning about school life was interesting. It was cute seeing the letters of the alphabet and the times tables. It gave it a true school vibe. There was also a desk for the headteacher or teacher to stand behind with a old device for writing as pens and pencils were not used at that time.

Permanent Exhibitions

These exhibitions were informative and inspiring. They celebrated many industries that were significant to the people that lived in Cheshire.

I loved how open plan it was where each small area had enough information that was not too much with great pictures that were eye catching. The range of objects relating to industries such as Salt making, Coal mining and the Police were enticing too. It was also great learning about working conditions and pay of the workers at that time.

It was great that these industries were explained in different means including art, objects and videos which made the experience an engaging one.

Entry and Admission

You are not required to book online however you will be required to pay on arrival in order to enter the museum.

For pricing details then check out the museum’s website for further information.

Facilities

The Weaver Hall and Workhouse has a Tea Room with the library. They serve Tea and Coffee with a selection of biscuits. If that is not your thing then there are some cafes nearby.

Toilets are on site.

Lighting and Access

The lighting at this museum was decent throughout most areas apart from the small cinema room downstairs for the video. This allowed me to use all my senses to have a fulfilling experience which also helped to understand the themes and information discussed with the various objects.

In relation to access then there is a small step in order to enter the building. There are stairs or a lift to access the exhibitions on the top floor.

Parking

The Weaver Hall and Workhouse has its own designated car park that also has disabled bays for those whom have a Blue Badge.

If you love learning about the workhouse life and the different industries in an informative, interactive and engaging way then come and visit the Weaver Hall and Workhouse for a...

A most welcoming and accommodating venue.

Carpark and outdoor seating area. Partially assessable and would not recommend attempting with a mobility scooter as potentially it would be a struggle. However, there is a lift and a wheelchair would be able to fit in the lift

♿ Toilets also available at different levels. Hot drinks available for the visitors.

A historical gem, beautifully and compassionately put together. Although not huge, there is lots to see and it was noted that a lot of effort had been put forward to make the younger generation aware of Northwich history and interactive activity put in place in various areas.

Lots of seats dotted around and even a small introductory cinema 🎥.

I highly recommend this venue for a visit and most reasonable pricing for...

Museum telling the story of salt mining. There is a second salt museum north of the town where an actual salt mine exists and where the process of extraction has been recreated. That one is much more interesting on salt. This building used to be a workhouse for the poor and destitute, and it would have been more interesting to visit if it devoted itself to that important aspect of British history. There is a tiny section describing how polythene was invented in Northwich. Such an important material throughout the world surely deserves much more...