Ashwell Village Museum

Ashwell Museum is full of the everyday objects of life in the village and the surrounding countryside from the Stone Age to the present day. The collection has grown over the years and is still growing through the generosity of many people. More and more exhibits were crammed into the small space until it became clear that a solution had to be found. Plans for an extension were begun in earnest and it was opened in 1983. All this activity produced a great rush of donations and another extension was soon needed. This was built with the help of the Heritage Lottery Fund and opened in 2001.

The original building was erected in the early 16th century on part of the old market place and was probably some kind of shop or office. Later it was known as the Town House. Churchwardens, parish constables, overseers of the poor and non-conformists all held meetings there. It has also been a plait school, a tailor’s shop and lastly a dwelling house.