We want everyone to enjoy Museum in the Park. We hope the information on this page will help you to plan and enjoy your visit. We are happy to discuss your needs in advance of your visit so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Museum in the Park
Museum in the Park is a set in the beautiful parkland of Stratford Park.
The core of the museum is a Grade II Listed mansion which dates back to 1674. The displays in the museum now tell the story of Stroud and the surrounding district.
There is also a modern extension that contains a reception area, shop, refreshment area, toilets, and baby change facilities.
There is also an exhibition space, a meeting room and a Walled Garden.
At a glance
There are disabled parking spaces directly outside museum entrance.
Step free access is available throughout the museum grounds. There is lift access to the first floor.
Trained assistance dogs are welcome in the Museum and Walled Garden. (Well behaved dogs are welcome in the front courtyard).
A large print guide, and coloured overlays are available on request at the Reception Desk.
A manual wheelchair is available to borrow on request.
Admission to Museum in the Park is free, donations are welcome.
Our floor plan and introductory tour video of the museum displays may help you plan your visit.
Lighting and flooring changes between spaces.
We were awarded 5 stars by Accessible Gloucestershire.
We know that some people need more information to plan their visit. Please scroll down for more information for visitors with additional access requirements.
A Visual Story will be available to download during 2025.
Front of Museum in the Park. Click image to enlarge.
Floorplan of Museum in the Park. click image to enlarge.
Map of walking route from carpark to museum. Click image to enlarge.
Arrival and accessible parking
The Museum is 260 metres from the Stratford Park Car Park. The pedestrian path slopes gently downwards towards the museum and is a wide tarmac surface.
If required, there are designated disabled parking bays directly outside the Museum.
To access these spaces:
Enter Stratford Park Car Park and stay on the access road, keeping the main car parking areas on your right.
The road rises up to a barrier.
Press the bell button on the intercom to request access (controlled by the Leisure Centre, not the Museum).
Follow the road between the play area and the car park.
Follow the signs for ‘Accessible parking for museum’, past the back and side of the Leisure Centre.
Drive through a small car park next to the Leisure Centre, then turn left into the park.
Turn left again into a tree-lined avenue to arrive outside the Museum.
Please park in the designated area in front of the Museum railings, not on the turning circle in front of the gates and the Mansion House.
When leaving by this route, the barrier goes up automatically.
Click the images below to follow a photo story of the route to the disabled parking spaces at the front of the museum.
Entering Museum in the Park
Entry to the museum is free of charge. Donations are welcome.
Some exhibitions, events and talks may incur a charge. Details of events and any charges are listed in our What's On Calendar.
Access is step free. After entering through the gateway, there is a flagstone courtyard. Approaching the automatic sliding doors there is rubber matting.
Entrance is through automatic sliding doors, which are 1.2 metres wide. Inside, there is textured matting flush with the floor. Beyond this is the carpeted foyer.
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. There is plenty of space to walk and toilet dogs in Stratford Park which surrounds the museum. Dog waste bins are located within the park.
Click the images below to see details of the visitor entrance to the museum.
the Reception desk has two levels.
Reception Desk
The reception desk in the foyer has two heights (1.06 metres and 0.8 metres).
There is a Hearing Loop at the reception desk.
Our friendly staff will welcome you to the museum. They can give you information about your visit. They can also answer questions have about the museum.
Visitors can ask for a large print guide, magnifiers, coloured overlays or a manual wheelchair to use during their visit if they need them.
Toilet Facilities
Toilets are all on the ground floor and have step free access. They are accessed from the foyer.
There is a male toilet facility. This has 3 urinals, 2 cubicles, 1 hand dryer, and 3 basins with lever taps.
There is a female toilet facility. This has 3 cubicles, 1 hand dryer, 3 basins with lever taps (one sink is lower).
There is one family toilet with baby changing facilities, 1 hand dryer, 1 basin with lever taps and 1 children’s step stool. The height of the toilet (floor to seat) is 0.40 metres. The height of the wash basin (floor to rim) is 0.68 metres.
There is an all gender accessible toilet. The door is 0.85 metres wide and opens outwards. There is a drop-down grab rail that can be lowered from a vertical to horizontal position to the right of the toilet. From a seated position on the toilet, there is a space 1.1 metres to the right, between the side of the toilet and the wall. The height of toilet (floor to seat) is 0.46 metres. The height of the wash basin (floor to rim) is 0.70 metres. It has lever taps. there is 1 hand dryer. There is an emergency alarm call cord (red) which alerts the staff at the museum reception.
The nearest Changing Place is located at Allsorts, Brunel Mall, London Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2BP and is open Monday-Saturday 10am-3pm. Allsorts recommend calling ahead on 01453 750474 and more information is available on the Allsorts website.
Click the images below to see the toilet facilities at the museum.
Refreshments
We sell a selection of hot and cold drinks, from freshly ground coffee to chilled juices. We have a range of high quality snacks such as sandwiches, crisps and cakes, including Vegan and Gluten Free options. We also stock a delicious range of ice creams, including locally sourced Winstones Ice Cream tubs.
Please pay for refreshments at the Reception Desk.
We have some indoor seating for those purchasing refreshments to use.
There is also the option to sit outside in the courtyard. Well behaved dogs are permitted in the courtyard at the front of the museum where we provide water for them. Only trained assistance dogs are permitted in the Museum and Walled Garden.
Please note that we do not offer hot food. The nearest café serving hot food is at the Leisure Centre, which is a 3 minute walk from the museum.
Click the images below to see the refreshment facilities at the museum.
Please enjoy picnics in Stratford Park. Click image to enlarge.
Picnics
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).
Entering the museum display area and lift access
The doorway between the reception area and the main museum display area is 0.70 metres at its narrowest point.
There is a lift to the first floor. The lift is 1.4 x 1.1 metres and is accessed through a door 0.78 metres wide. The lift journey is approximately 20 seconds.
Click the images to enlarge to plan your visit to the museum display areas.
visitors enjoying an exhibition in the gallery. Click image to enlarge.
Exhibition Gallery
The gallery features a programme of temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Please check What’s On for details.
Access to the Exhibition Gallery is step free. There is a ramp which is 10 metres long and 2.6 metres wide. The slope of the ramp is 1 in 38 or 2.6%. There is a handrails on both sides of the ramp.
The appearance of the gallery, lay out of exhibits and lighting of the gallery changes with each exhibition.
There is a Hearing Loop.
The Walled Garden
The Walled Garden opened in 2016 and is cared for by a team of volunteers. The garden features flower borders, a lawn, raised beds, an orchard, a meadow area, a dipping pond and a beehive. In the garden there is also a performance space and the Learning Pavilion. This is used for booked school groups and workshops.You can read more about the Walled Garden.
View of the Walled Garden from above. Click image to enlarge.
Access to the Walled garden is step free. The garden is accessed through the foyer, near the Reception desk. There is a push-button sliding door door from the foyer which is 1.42 metres wide. The push button on the door is 92cm from the floor. The door opens automatically on re-entry.
The garden is accessible by a ramp or steps. The main ramp is 72.7m long by 1.47m wide, and slope is 1 in 20 or 1.28%. There are two smaller ramps 10.37m by 1.44m, slope 1.28% and 5.12m by 1.44m, slope 1.28%. There are no handrails on the ramps. There is a handrail on the left side of the steps.
There is a hard path which leads to the upper terrace and Learning Pavilion. There are paving stones on the terrace outside of the Learning Pavilion. There is a compacted gravel path beyond the dipping pond to the upper part of the garden.
Outdoor searing is provided around the garden.
Click the images to enlarge to plan your visit to the Walled Garden.
The learning pavilion in the walled garden. Click to enlarge.
Learning Pavilion
The Learning Pavilion is used for booked school groups, other booked groups and some public events. Please Contact Us if you would like to enquire about hiring this space.
There is an Hearing Loop.
The Learning Pavilion is located within the Walled Garden and has level access. It can be accessed via the main ramp in the Walled Garden. The main ramp is 72.7m long by 1.47m wide, slope is 1 in 20 or 1.28%. There are no handrails on the ramps. There is a handrail on one side of the steps.
Meeting Room set up Boardroom style. Click image to enlarge.
Meeting Room
The Meeting Room is a multi-purpose space. It is used by booked groups and for some public events. It is sometimes used for displays. Please Contact Us if you would like to enquire about hiring this space.
Access to the Meeting Room is step free. There is a ramp which is 10 metres long and 2.6 metres wide. The slope of the ramp is 1 in 38 or 2.6%. There is a handrails on both sides of the ramp.
The appearance of the room changes depending on how it is being used.
There is a Hearing Loop.
For visitors with additional access requirements
We know that some people need more information to plan their visit. Please click the + symbol for more information.
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We aim to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone, including parents visiting with infants.
Getting around
Buggies and pushchairs can be brought into the museum and walled garden. The main museum displays in the mansion are arranged over two floors. There is a lift to the upper floor. The exhibition gallery is accessed via a ramp. The walled garden can be accessed via a ramp.
There is a family toilet with baby changing facilities, 1 hand dryer, 1 basin with lever taps and 1 children’s step stool.
We are registered with the Gloucestershire Welcomes Breastfeeding scheme. This means that breastfeeding is allowed in all pubic areas at the museum. Please request a private area to breastfeed if required. Our staff will aim to provide a space if there is one available.
Refreshments
The Museum offers a selection of refreshments and snacks. We have some indoor seating for those purchasing refreshments to use. Please note that we do not offer lunches, such as sandwiches or cooked food.
We politely ask that picnics are enjoyed in Stratford Park and not in the walled garden or indoor areas of the museum. There is a small outdoor but undercover seating area within the courtyard that can be used for picnics. This is accessible by some steps.
Staying safe
When you are visiting with young children, please supervise them at all times to help keep everyone safe.
Most of the artefacts on display in the museum are exhibited in glass cabinets. Some artefacts are on open display. We politely ask that visitors do not touch artefacts that are open display. This helps us to look after and care for the objects in the museum.
Family friendly resources
There are toys, games and books for families with young children to use in most of the rooms in the mansion. These echo the themes of the museum displays. These are usually brightly coloured, and placed on shelves or seats in the rooms. Visitors are welcome to play with, read and use these resources during their visit.
There is a range of free Family Explorer Trails to choose from to help families explore the museum.
Please check What's On to find out about family activities at the museum.
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Disabled parking
If required, there are designated disabled parking bays directly outside the museum.
To access these spaces:
Enter Stratford Park Car Park and stay on the access road, keeping the main car parking areas on your right.
The road rises up to a barrier.
Press the bell button on the intercom to request access (controlled by the Leisure Centre, not the Museum).
Follow the road between the play area and car park.
Follow the signs for ‘Accessible parking for museum’, past the back and side of the Leisure Centre.
Drive through a small car park next to the Leisure Centre, then turn left into the park.
Turn left again into a tree-lined avenue to arrive outside the Museum.
Please park in the designated area in front of the Museum railings, not on the turning circle in front of the gates and the Mansion House.
When leaving by this route the barrier goes up automatically.
Entering the museum
Access is step free. After entering through the gateway, there is a flagstone courtyard. Approaching the automatic sliding doors there is rubber matting.
Entrance is through automatic sliding doors, which are 1.2 metres wide. Inside, there is textured matting flush with the floor. Beyond this is the carpeted foyer.
The main entrance doors are automatic sliding doors (1.2 metres wide). Immediately on entering there is door matting flush with floor, beyond which is the carpeted foyer. The reception desk has two heights (1.06 and 0.8 metres).
There is one unisex accessible (disabled) toilet on the ground floor near the Reception desk.
Getting around
We have one manual wheelchair that can be borrowed free of charge. Please Contact Us to let us know that you would like to book the wheelchair.
The doorway between the reception area and the main museum displays in the mansion is 0.70 metres at its narrowest point.
The main museum displays are arranged over two floors in the mansion. There is a lift to the upper floor. The lift (1.4 x 1.1 metres) is accessed through doors 0.78 metres wide.
Stairs up to and down from the upper floor have a handrail on one side.
Access to the exhibition gallery and the meeting room is via a ramp 10 metres long and 2.6 metres wide. The slope is 1 in 38 or 2.6%. There are handrails on both sides of the ramp.
Indoor seating is provided in most galleries and rooms, and in the foyer refreshment area.
You may like to read the review by Accessible Gloucestershire, who awarded us 5 stars.
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Assistance dogs
Trained assistance dogs are permitted into the museum building and grounds. Water for dogs is provided in the courtyard.
Getting around
The main museum displays in the mansion are arranged over two floors. There is a lift to the upper floor.
Doors are labelled with high contrast tactile signage, which includes Braille.
Lighting
Please note that lighting is mainly by LED spotlights and natural light but at low brightness in some areas to protect the artefacts on display.
Sensory resources
Magnifying glasses and coloured overlays are available at the museum reception. A large print guide to the museum displays is available at the museum reception.
Some rooms within the museum displays in the mansion feature sound recordings or videos that play. These are listed below.
Sounds in Room 1 (downstairs) include a sound recording of local author Laurie Lee reading an extract from Cider with Rosie and a sound recording of a local resident recalling memories of wash-day in 1930s.
Sounds in Room 5 (downstairs) include a a video showing the making of a flint arrow by Phil Harding of Time Team (with audio and subtitles).
There is a video in Room 10 (upstairs) showing life at a farm today and yesterday (no audio)
Sounds in Room 15 (upstairs) include a sound recording of music from the past.
Sounds in Room 16 (upstairs) include the noises of a mechanical lawnmower and a tennis ball being hit.
Some rooms contain resources that can be touched. These are listed below.
Tactile resources in Room 1 (downstairs) include samples of cloth that have been treated with different amounts of starch. These are near the metal dolly tubs and metal irons to help visitors think about doing the laundry in the past.
Tactile resources in Room 11 (upstairs) include a variety of gloves and hand coverings to feel and try on. These are near some of the clothes from the past.
Tactile resources in Room 17 (upstairs) include samples of woollen cloth to feel. These are near the display about the different dyes used to colour woollen cloth in the past. There is also a tennis ball and 2 sections of cloth to show how the cloth is applied to the balls. Tennis ball cloth is still made in Stroud.
Read the review by Accessible Gloucestershire, who awarded us 5 stars.
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Assistance dogs
Trained assistance dogs are permitted into the museum building and grounds. Water for dogs is provided in the courtyard.
Communication support
There is a Hearing Loop at the Reception Desk, in the meeting room and the Learning Pavilion.
A means of written communication is provided at Reception to assist D/deaf customers.
Videos playing in Room 3, Room 5 and Room 10 include subtitles.
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Preparing for your visit
You may like to look at our floor plan to help you plan your visit. There are 17 rooms and corridors in the mansion where objects and pictures are displayed. The rooms are numbered and have names.
You may choose to watch a video to help you familiarize yourself with the Museum.
Our introductory welcome video contains music, pictures and videos of the museum and text displayed as captions. This is a 58 second video and it does not play automatically when the webpage is opened.
Our introductory tour of the museum displays and information about the collection on our website contains music, pictures and videos of the museum and text displayed as captions. This is a 7:34 minute video, and does not play automatically when the webpage is opened.
A downloadable Visual Story will be available during 2025.
Asking for help
Our friendly Visitor Assistants wear lanyards with our cockerel logo on, and name badges. They are there to help you from the start to end of your visit.
If you need a quiet space during your visit, please let a member of the team know. We will do our best to help direct you to a quieter area. If you are able to Contact Us before your visit that would help us, but if you can't we will try our best to help during your visit. You are of course, welcome to go out into the walled garden during your visit. The garden is usually a calm area.
Getting around
There are 17 rooms and corridors in the mansion where objects and pictures are displayed. The rooms are numbered and have names.
There is signage showing a suggested visitor route, but it is fine for you to visit the rooms in any order.
The main museum displays in the mansion are arranged over two floors. There is a lift to the upper floor. The lift journey is approximately 20 seconds.
A sensory trail is available for you to use during your visit, if you would like. Please ask our staff at reception.
Quieter times
The museum is often quieter between 3 and 4:30pm on weekdays during term time if you would like to visit when fewer people are around. The Museum can be busier and louder on days that we are leading a school visit.
Please Contact Us if you want to check whether a school is booked in on the day you want to visit.
Sensory considerations
If you would like to wear hooded tops, baseball caps, gloves, dark glasses and/or noise cancelling headphones when you come to visit, that’s fine with us.
Lighting is mainly by LED spotlights and natural light. Lighting in the display areas in the mansion is set at a low brightness in some areas to protect the artefacts.
We try to keep the temperature in the museum below 23 degrees Celsius and relative humidity below 55%. This helps us to protect the artefacts we care for.
The Male toilets, Female toilets, Family toilet with baby changing facilities, and unisex accessible (disabled) toilet all contain hand dryers. The hand dryers can make a loud noise. Disposable paper towels are also available.
The toilets all contain a scented air freshener.
The museum occasionally uses a public address system for general announcements.
There is no general background music in the museum. Some rooms within the main museum displays in the mansion feature sound recordings or videos that play. (list below)
Room 1 (downstairs) features a sound recording of local author Laurie Lee reading an extract from Cider with Rosie and a sound recording of a local resident recalling memories of wash-day in 1930s.
Room 3 (downstairs) features a subtitled video (no audio) about local limestone, and a looped slideshow of minerals that runs in Geology (no audio).
Room 5 (downstairs) features a video showing the making of a flint arrow by archaeologist Phil Harding from ‘Time Team’ (with audio and subtitles).
Room 7 (downstairs) features a looped slideshow of photographs of different locations around the district. (no audio)
Room 10 (upstairs) features a video showing life at a farm today and yesterday (no audio)
Room 15 (upstairs) features a sound recording of music from the past.
Room 16 (upstairs) features sound effects of a mechanical lawnmower and a tennis ball being hit.
Some rooms in the museum contain smells connected to the theme of the displays. In Room 1 (downstairs), you may be able to smell carbolic soap and you can pause to listen to one woman’s memory of washing day in her childhood during the 1930s. In Room 13 (upstairs) you may be able to smell eau-de-cologne – this was a popular fragrance developed in Germany in the 18th century. In Room 16 (upstairs) you may be able to smell freshly mown grass as you pause to look at the ‘lawnmowers through time’ display.
The museum displays
Artefacts are mainly exhibited in floor to ceiling glass cabinets, some are on open display. We politely ask that visitors do not touch objects that are open display. This helps us to look after and care for the objects in the museum.
Many of the rooms in the mansion contain toys, games and books for families with young children to use. These are usually brightly coloured, and placed on shelves or seats in the rooms. Visitors are welcome to play with, read and use these resources during their visit.
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It is important to us that anyone with lived experience of dementia (at any stage) can access and enjoy everything our museums have to offer.
We are Carer Aware. This means that we support individuals who are unpaid Carers when they are using our business.
Asking for help
Our friendly Visitor Experience Assistants wear lanyards with our cockerel logo on, and name badges. They are there to help you from the start to end of your visit.
Getting around
Doors have high contrast tactile signage.
There are floorplans on display at key locations within the Museum.
Please speak to our Staff and Volunteers if you need help during your visit.
Resources
The Museum works with partner organisations to provide resources and programmes for people living with dementia and their companions. This currently includes Chance to Chat Boxes which can be borrowed free of charge.
In collaboration with Stroud Fairshares, there is also a programme of Gentle Park Walks Gentle Park Walks.
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Parking and toilets
Please see above for details of our accessible parking and toilet facilities
Help us to support the children you work with
We recommend that School Teachers and Group Leaders discuss any SEND, learning or other specific needs that your group may have with our Learning Officer ahead of your visit. This helps us to support access and inclusion for everyone in your group.
Information for teachers is available before booking.
Additional information is provided for teachers when a booking for a Facilitated Visit is confirmed.
On the day
During the facilitated sessions, we are happy to ensure pupils with additional needs. For example we can:
can help teachers seat children in a position best suited to their needs.
wear a microphone provided by the school to support D/def, deafened or hard of hearing children.
support accompanying adults to sit with pupils they are supporting on a one-to-one basis.
set up our learning spaces to accommodate mobility equipment - just let us know before your visit how we can help.
support pupils who may need to take a break - just let us know if some time out is required and we can direct you to calm, quiet spaces.
support your staff with any behavioural strategies you have in place, and will take our lead from you.
support a pupil’s right to privacy and dignity and will endeavour to provide the most suitable environment for any care needs to be supported.
We are currently developing SEND bags and kids of themed resources for our Facilitated Visits and welcome feedback from teachers about these.
You may find the photos (below) of different aspects of a visit useful. Click images to enlarge.
Providing a welcome for everyone
We are Carer Aware. This means that we support individuals who are unpaid Carers when they are using our business. Gloucestershire Carers also receive 10% off in the shop and café on production of their Carers Card (excludes exhibition sales or merchandise).
We are registered with the Gloucestershire Welcomes Breastfeeding scheme. This means that breastfeeding is allowed in all pubic areas at the museum. Please request a private area to breastfeed if required. Our staff will aim to provide a space if there is one available.
We are part of the Safe Space Scheme. This is a community of businesses that provide a safe and secure place for women to go to if they are being followed or feel under threat in any way. When you see the Safe Space logo, you know that the business welcomes you in immediately, no questions asked, until the threat has passed.
A detailed access statement is available. This describes all aspects of a visit to the Museum in the Park.
