Business Details
Explore Crawley's History at Crawley Museum
Crawley Museum is an independent local history museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of Crawley and its surrounding areas. Established to tell the town's story through objects and their associated narratives, we operate two distinct sites: Crawley Museum and Ifield Watermill. Our collections span from prehistoric artefacts to contemporary items, offering insights into Crawley's evolution from medieval settlement to modern New Town. We provide educational programmes, temporary exhibitions, and community engagement projects, including oral history collections that celebrate the town's diverse communities.The museum hosts a variety of events throughout the year, with a focus on making history accessible and engaging for all ages. Ifield Watermill, a unique working watermill dating back to 1660, features restored mechanical instruments and exhibitions about its history and restoration. We welcome visitors with free entry and rely on donations to support our ongoing work in preserving Crawley's cultural heritage.
Services
Museum Visits
Historical Exhibitions
Educational Programmes
Community Projects
Heritage Preservation
Highlights and features
- We offer access to extensive historical collections spanning 2,000 years of local history
- Our two heritage sites provide unique educational experiences for all ages
- We deliver community-focused exhibitions developed with local groups
- We maintain Ifield Watermill - the only working watermill in West Sussex
- We provide free public access to all our exhibitions and collections
Services
Museum Visits
Explore Crawley's history through our permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Visitors can access free public displays featuring artefacts from prehistoric times to the modern New Town development. The museum offers educational experiences for individuals and groups, with expert guidance available during opening hours.
Historical Exhibitions
Discover rotating exhibitions that showcase different aspects of local history. Current displays include wartime memorabilia, photographic collections, and community-curated projects. Exhibitions combine artefacts, oral histories, and interactive elements to provide comprehensive insights into Crawley's heritage.
Educational Programmes
Engage with curriculum-linked educational activities for schools and community groups. Our programmes include hands-on workshops, guided tours, and special events designed to make history accessible and engaging for all age groups. Resources support learning about local development and historical contexts.
Community Projects
Participate in community-led history projects that document local experiences and traditions. Current initiatives involve oral history recordings, collaborative exhibitions, and outreach programmes working with diverse community groups to preserve and share Crawley's cultural heritage.
Heritage Preservation
Support the conservation and documentation of historical artefacts through our preservation efforts. The museum maintains extensive collections including archaeological finds, domestic objects, and industrial heritage items, ensuring their protection for future generations through professional curation and storage practices.
Questions
What are the museum's opening hours?
Crawley Museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Ifield Watermill has seasonal Sunday openings.
Is there an admission charge?
Entry to both museums is free, though we welcome voluntary donations to support our operations and preservation efforts.
What exhibitions are currently showing?
Current exhibitions include 'The Home Front Crawley At War 1939-1945' and rotating displays in our temporary exhibition space featuring local history themes.
Can I donate historical items to the museum?
We accept donations of historical items relevant to Crawley's heritage. Please contact our curatorial team to discuss potential contributions to our collections.
Are educational visits available for schools?
Yes, we offer curriculum-linked educational programmes for schools with hands-on activities and guided tours tailored to different age groups.
How can I get involved with community projects?
We welcome community participation in our heritage initiatives. Contact us to learn about current projects and volunteer opportunities with our museum team.
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Reviews (7)
Helen Ives
Nov 07, 2021
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Brought 40 children aged 5-14 and they all loved it. Andrea and the staff could not have been more helpful and informative.
Dean Ferrito
Aug 26, 2021
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Excellent! Lovely little museum with plenty to look at and explore. The staff are very friendly and great with the children.
Charlotte Bergeron
Jun 23, 2021
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Lisa Eagle
Jun 12, 2021
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Fantastic and helpful staff, was my little girls first time and they made us feel so welcome
Mark Rochford
Sep 12, 2020
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Friendly staff but not disabled friendly. Ground floor is fine but first floor you would not be able to use wheelchair ad corridors are narrow.I would give more stars if I knew where the lifts were.
Mike Dixon
Aug 31, 2020
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Lovely museum. Great location. Wonderful staff and superb facilities for the disabled, including lift, and accessible toilets
Pam Schooling
Sep 13, 2019
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It's very interesting to see the different eras of Crawley, the museum is well thought out and packed with information. I enjoyed my visit and chatting to your young volunteers about the visit.
