Introduction

Get set for a day of engaging talks from leading speakers and a chance to explore Avoncroft’s remarkable open-air collection. The museum, home to over 30 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings spanning seven centuries, provides a unique backdrop. Highlights include the UK’s National Collection of Telephone Kiosks, working historic windmill, and a selection of timber-framed, brick, and prefabricated structures including a chain shop, nail workshop, sawmill, and icehouse. This inspiring setting promises a rich blend of learning, discussion, and heritage discovery. 

When and where is the conference?

The conference will take place on Saturday 18th April 2026 at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove B60 4JR.

The museum is 3 miles from M5 J5 if arriving by car and includes a free car park on site. If arriving by train, alight at Bromsgrove and then it’s a 5 minute taxi ride.

How much are tickets?

Tickets cost £28 per person.

What is the conference schedule?

Display Tables Setup	09:00 – 10:00
Registration Opens in New Guesten Hall We ask delegates register and take their seats by 10:00	09:30
Richard Churchley Needle Making in Worcestershire & Warwickshire 1640-1940 Richard will explore the industry that gave the area around Redditch on the Worcestershire and Warwickshire border the name of ‘the Needle District’ and was the main reason for the growth of Redditch from an insignificant hamlet to a prosperous and famous industrial town.	10:10 – 10:40
Dave Bache & Dave Galley From Charter to Charity: The Evolution of Churchill Forge Discover the age-old process of spade and ladle making in the Worcestershire countryside. Explore how Churchill Forge evolved from medieval origins into a centre of skilled toolmaking that supported local agriculture and major regional industries. Learn how water power drove the forge’s machinery, the vital role played by generations of the Bache family, and how the site has been preserved as a living museum with planned restoration. You have the option to visit Churchill Forge (£6 per person) the following day, see below for more details.	10:50 – 11:20
Zoe Willems The Story of Avoncroft, England’s First Open-air Museum Zoe is director of Avoncroft and will dive into the story of how the musem came into existence and its development over the years since opening in 1967. This presentation will also cover some of the key buildings in the museum’s collection providing a perfect introduction before you explore the site during our extended lunch break.	11:30 – 12:00
Lunch & Site Tours Includes 30 min guided tours of 19th century windmill and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection. Delegates may also enjoy self-guided tours.	12:00 – 14:00
Brian Garrett The History of Worcester’s Electricity Department Brian will take you through the story of how electricity came to Worcester, which was the first municipality in Great Britain to build and operate its own hydro-electric power station on a long-term basis. Learn how the supply was expanded, who drove its development, and what’s left of this unique distribution system that is visible today.	14:10 – 14:40
Dr. John Beale Lost Industries of Worcester Seen Through Photographic Collections The historic photograph collections of ‘Changing Face of Worcester’ and ‘Worcester Life Stories’ contain a multitude of images that detail the lost industries of Worcester such as tin box manufacturers, iron foundries, glovers, and railway works. John will delve into Worcester’s industrial heyday using these photographs to explore some of the city’s most famous businesses.	14:50 – 15:20
Refreshment Break & Society Chairs Huddle	15:20 – 15:40
Geoffrey Gilbert The Future of the Museum of Carpet in Kidderminster The Museum of Carpet is the only museum in the UK dedicated to celebrating the heritage, art and industry of carpet making. It tells the unique story of Kidderminster, once known as the ‘Carpet Capital of the World’. After 13 years the museum has, like many similar institutions, faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Geoffrey, Chairman of the Trust, will discuss these challenges and hopefully share with us some more positive news on support and funding for the development of a new museum for Kidderminster. You have the option to visit the Museum of Carpet (£8 per person) the following day, see below for more details.	15:40 – 16:10
Conference Close	16:10 – 16:30
Exit Site	17:00
Optional Visit to Churchill Forge on Sunday 19th April (Morning) If you are staying the night, or live locally, you have the option to visit Churchill Forge Water Mill, which is a 30 minute drive from Avoncroft. The forge will open early on the day after conference between 10:00-12:00 for delegates charged at £6 per person. This is a wonderful opportunity to see one of Worcestershire’s best preserved industrial heritage sites and learn about the restoration plan.	10:00 – 12:00
Optional Visit to the Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster, on Sunday 19th April (Afternoon) Also in the area is the Museum of Carpet, which has had to close its doors to regular opening. However, their volunteers are opening the museum for a special tour including a demonstration of working power looms as well as refreshments. The museum will be open 13:30-15:00 so that you can combine this with Churchill Forge (above). The charge is £8 per person.	13:30 – 15:00

What tours will the conference include?

Avoncroft is home to 30 historic buildings and structures, dating from the 14th century to the mid-20th century, across a 19-acre site, including a chain shop, nail makers workshop, sawmill, toll house, granary, tithe barn, icehouse, and a 20th century prefab with bomb shelter.

You will also have an opportunity to attend dedicated tours of the 19th century windmill and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection delivered by museum volunteers. Each tour will last 30 mins and we will organise rotating slots so you will have the chance to visit both. You also have the option of self-guided tours through the museum’s exhibits.

Will there be offsite tours?

Avoncroft is home to 30 historic buildings and structures across a 19-acre site. For this reason, we have scheduled a 2 hour lunch break so that delegates can see the museum exhibits either self guided and/or the dedicated tours of the 19th century windmill and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection. This marks a departure from the traditional arrangement of offsite visits on the day as there is so much to see at Avoncroft. However, there is an option for two offsite visit the following day (Sunday 19th April 2026).

Churchill Forge

Churchill Forge Water Mill will open early between 10:00-12:00 for conference delegates charged at £6 per person. This is a wonderful opportunity to see one of Worcestershire’s best preserved industrial heritage sites and learn about the restoration plan.

Museum of Carpet

Kidderminster Museum of Carpet will open for a special tour including a demonstration of working power looms between 13:30-15:00 charged at £8 per person which includes refreshments. This is a unique opportunity to see the museum before it’s future is decided.

Will there be food and drinks?

Your ticket will include a buffet lunch including cold meats, new potatoes, crusty bread, and a selection of salads and cheese with unlimited hot and cold soft drinks.

Where can I park?

If arriving by car, please park in the museum car park, which is free of charge.

Why not make a weekend of it?

If you are travelling from afar, you may consider staying the night. The following reasonably priced hotels are close to the conference venue. Please book directly as we do not have a partnered deal. If you are planning to visit Churchill Forge Water Mill the following day, then an overnight stay would be your best option.

• Holiday Inn Express Droitwich Spa by IHG
• Travelodge Bromsgrove
• Premier Inn Bromsgrove Central

The following local industrial heritage sites and museums will also be open on Sunday 19th April, in addition to the two special openings mentioned above (please check latest information on opening times and admission charges).

• Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey – Redditch
• Transport Museum Wythall (with heritage bus rides!)
• Worcestershire Museum – Hartlebury Castle
• Norton Collection Museum – Bromsgrove
• Bewdley Museum – Bewdley
• Kidderminster Railway Museum and the Severn Valley Railway (spring steam gala)