The Museum in the Park is set in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park, Stroud, Gloucestershire.
The Museum in the Park and its unique walled garden are set in the beautiful grounds of a wool merchant's mansion.
We are free to enter, and donations are welcome. A friendly face awaits you and there’s lots to see, do and enjoy.
The core of the museum is a Grade II Listed mansion which dates back to 1674. More than 4000 fascinating objects tell the rich and diverse story of Stroud and the surrounding district. There are dinosaur bones, historical paintings and even one of the world’s first lawnmowers in the collection we care for.
Browse a range of locally sourced gifts in our gift shop and enjoy a cuppa in our café. Visit one of our temporary exhibitions in the gallery, and explore the beautiful contemporary Walled Garden.
We invite visitors of all ages to come and explore. Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at a workshop, pause for thought in the galleries, attend a talk or enjoy a family explorer trail. With our diverse collection and exciting events and activities we truly do offer something for everyone. Visit us and discover something new!
Frequently asked questions
Where are you and when are you open? Looking to visit? You’ll find us in Stratford Park, just outside of Stroud town centre. You can also check when we are open by viewing our Opening Times. We welcome pre-booked group visits.
How long should I allow for my visit? We recommend allowing between one to two hours to visit all areas of the Museum in the Park. You are, of course, welcome to visit more briefly or for longer. As a free to enter museum you can come back again and again!
Museum in the park floorplan - click image to enlarge
How do I find out what’s on? Events, temporary exhibitions, and displays are listed on our What’s On page.
How accessible is the museum? We want everyone to enjoy Museum in the Park. Step free access is available throughout the museum grounds and there are plenty of hands-on resources and activities for visitors of all ages. To help you plan and enjoy your visit there is detailed information about accessibility, an introductory video tour of the museum displays, and a visual story.
Are dogs or other animals allowed in the museum and garden?
Trained assistance dogs are welcome in the Museum and Walled Garden. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the front courtyard, where we provide a water bowl. To help us protect the objects we care for, we ask you to enjoy time with your dog in Stratford Park which surrounds the museum. There is plenty of space and dog waste bins within the park.
May we bring a picnic?
We politely ask that picnics are enjoyed outside in the park and not in the Walled Garden or indoor areas of the museum. In Stratford Park there are lots of trees, large grassy lawns, benches, a lake, a bandstand, two children’s play area, a miniature railway, and woodland. If the weather is poor, there is a small outdoor but undercover seating area within the museum courtyard that can be used for picnics (this is only accessible by some steps). Any purchase you make in our café helps support the museum.
Is there somewhere to leave scooters, bicycles and footballs?
Scooters, bicycles, footballs (or any ball) are not permitted to be used in the museum grounds. We have an area that they can be left in whilst you visit the museum. Bicycles can be locked to our bike racks in the front courtyard. There is, of course, the wonderful parkland for those itching to have a kick around or a scoot.
Want to get in touch? Contact Us
