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Indoors

Framework Knitters Museum

RuddingtonAges 0+
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BEST FOR

Ages 0+

ENTRY

from £3

SETTING

Indoors

WHERE

Ruddington

What it’s like

Real Victorian knitting frames still working, a go at a vintage knitting machine, and a free-to-enter café even on closed days.

This is a small working museum built around a genuine 19th-century framework knitters' yard in the middle of Ruddington. The site lists 200-year-old knitting machines still being demonstrated, so your kids see the frames actually working rather than sitting behind glass. There's a hands-on bit too, they can knit their own souvenir on a vintage Griswold knitting machine, plus the hosiery collections to poke around in.

It's not a big day out. The museum itself only opens Wednesday to Sunday, 11 to 4 most days (1:30 start on Sundays), with last admission at half three, so you're looking at an hour or two rather than a full morning. Parker's Yard café, shop and Chapel Gallery keep longer hours and are free to wander into even on the days the museum's shut, which is handy if you've timed it wrong or just fancy a coffee and cake without paying admission.

Money-wise, under-fives go free with a paying adult, kids five to seventeen are £3, and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £22. There's no museum car park, but Ruddington has free on-street parking and the Co-op car park on Church Street is free too. Ground floor rooms are wheelchair accessible and there's free wheelchair or walker hire from the parish council, though the historic buildings mean some upper floors aren't reachable for visitors with mobility difficulties.

What’s on here

Facilities

Birthday parties
Café
Gift shop
Group bookings
Food on site
Picnic area
School visits
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible

Need to know

Best for
Under-tens with a bit of patience for a small, quiet museum
Last entry
Last admission: 3:30pm
Parking
Free on-street parking in Ruddington or free at Co-op car park on Church Street
Food
Parker's Yard Café serves coffee and cake
Wheelchairs
Ground floor rooms wheelchair accessible
Getting there by bus or train
Bus stops 10 and 9 on The Green in Ruddington, short walk away
  • Museum days differ from café days, the café and shop open Tuesday to Sunday even when the museum's shut on Mondays and Tuesdays
  • Gift Aid on your ticket lets the museum claim extra from HMRC at no cost to you
  • There's no museum car park, so plan for the free on-street spaces or the Co-op car park on Church Street
  • The Sunday season runs out at the end of September, so winter Sundays work differently

Plan your visit

How much does it cost?

Adults are £9 (this includes an annual pass), under-fives go free with a paying adult, and kids five to seventeen are £3. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £22.

Do we need to book?

You can just turn up. Booking is only needed for groups.

What are the opening hours?

The museum runs Wednesday to Saturday 11 to 4 and Sundays 1:30 to 4, with last admission at 3:30. Parker's Yard café and shop keep longer hours, from 9 or 10 depending on the day.

Is there parking?

There's no museum car park, but Ruddington has free on-street parking and you can also use the free Co-op car park on Church Street.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Ground floor rooms in the museum, Chapel Gallery and Parker's Yard are accessible, and free wheelchair or walker hire is available from Ruddington Parish Council on Church Street. Some upper floors in the historic buildings aren't reachable though.

Can we get food there?

Parker's Yard café serves coffee and cake, and it's free to go in even if you're not visiting the museum.

Is it OK for under-fives?

There's no minimum age and under-fives get in free with a paying adult, though it's a small historic site rather than a hands-on play space.

Do carers get in free?

Carers accompanying disabled visitors are admitted free.

How do we get there by public transport?

Bus stops 10 and 9 on The Green in Ruddington are a short walk from the museum.

Do you do school visits?

School visits are welcomed during the museum's closed period.

Areas to explore

  • Chapel Gallery

    indoors

    Gallery space hosting rotating exhibitions, often with works available for sale; also available for private hire.

  • Community Garden

    outdoors

    Peaceful garden area at Parker's Yard for relaxing during a visit.

  • Frame Shop

    indoors

    Preserved frame shop where original knitting frames are demonstrated in action.

  • Restored Cottages

    indoors

    Restored cottages showing how framework knitting families lived and worked.

  • Textile Collection

    indoors

    Collection of hosiery and related textile items, including a pair of Queen Victoria's stockings.

Also on site

  • Parker's Yard Café

    outdoors

    On-site café serving coffee, cake and light lunches, with a community garden.

  • Parker's Yard Shop

    indoors

    Museum gift shop selling locally made gifts, cards, crafts and textiles.

Experiences

  • Vintage Griswold Knitting Machine

    indoors

    Visitors can knit their own souvenir on a vintage circular knitting machine.

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