Name: Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey
Rating: 5.0

Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey

Forge Mill Needle Museum, Needle Mill Lane, Redditch B98 8HY, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

The Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch, Worcestershire, is a historic museum depicting Redditch's Industrial Heritage. Opened in 1983 by Queen Elizabeth II, it records how in Victorian times, Redditch was the international centre of the needle and fishing tackle industry and once produced 90% of the world's needles.

One of the most unique museums in Worcestershire and the West Midlands, the museum also has an excellent Coffee Bar and a superb Gift Shop selling souvenirs and a good selection of the finest quality needles, many of which are locally produced. We also stock unusual needles and offer a mail order service.

Price starts from £7.15 for Adults, £2.25 for Children and £16.50 for Family. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Forge Mill Needle Museum: The museum tells the fascinating story of needle making in Victorian times.Forge Mill is a listed building which houses original water powered machinery. Models, recreated scenes and original audio provide a vivid illustration of how needles were once made and how Redditch dominated the world needle trade.
Bordesley Abbey: Bordesley Abbey is rich in history and archaeological evidence. In 1140, a group of Cistercian monks from Garendon Abbey in Leicestershire were granted land in the Arrow Valley by Waleran de Beaumont, Count of Meulan and Earl of Worcester. This enabled the monks to found Bordesley Abbey and turn the Arrow Valley into a place suitable for a monastery. Bordesley means ‘the place where boards were obtained’.
Play Area and Grounds: For our younger visitors we have an attractive and well equipped adventure play area, which has seating in the form of picnic benches, and is situated very close to our coffee bar. This facility is free to access during our museum opening hours.
Mill View Coffee Bar: Mill View Coffee Bar is open on days when the grounds are open – typically from 10.00am to 4.30pm. The coffee bar offers a selection of coffees, teas, cold drinks, home made cakes and light refreshments.
Heritage Walking Trail: The Heritage Walking Trail is a route between Forge Mill Needle Museum and the Arrow Valley Lake.The walk is steeped in both history and wildlife with many interesting features along the way. You will see how the landscape reflects the changes from the monastic period through to the Victorian era to modern times.
Exhibitions: In addition to the permanent exhibits at the Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, we also have a wide variety of interesting and exciting exhibitions throughout the year. These exhibitions are housed on the middle floor of the Mill building.
The Museum Archives: Forge Mill Needle Museum holds extensive archives related to the needle and fishing tackle industries of Redditch and the surrounding areas. Some of the archives have come from the needle and fishing tackle factories themselves thanks to a few enlightened individuals who had the foresight to document the activities of their own factories and companies. These archives – whilst collected on an ad hoc basis – offer a unique and fascinating insight into how the companies coped with both local and foreign competition. It is also clear that they understood the importance of innovation, improvement, diversification and advertising if they were to survive.
Shop: Situated in the Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre is the shop and entrance to the museum.

Facilities

Parking: Free car parking. There is a main car park almost adjacent to the site, plus an ‘overspill’ car park (including coaches) just a short walk away.
Food & Drinks: Our on-site coffee bar serves a range of cold drinks, hot drinks, homemade cakes, ice creams and light refreshments. Covered seating is available in our Cloisters area.
Toilets: Toilets are available on site.

What to see

Forge Mill Needle Museum

The two buildings that make up the Mill.
The middle floor of the Mill is used for our Exhibitions.
The working water wheel that powers the Mill.
Various exhibits in the old Scouring (polishing) Mill.
Part of the original Victorian scouring machinery.
More exhibits on the lower floor of the Mill building.
An extensive collection of needle related items on the top floor of the Mill building.
More needle and fishing hook displays on the top floor of the Mill.

Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre

The outer courtyard of the Visitor Centre.
Displays depicting life at the Abbey.
Exhibits showing models of the Abbey and items found during excavations.
Some remains found in the ruins of the Abbey.
Displays showing the area around the Abbey.
More displays in the courtyard of the Visitor Centre.
Medieval timbers from the Abbey site.
The large grassed area with picnic tables for visitors to enjoy.

Play Area and Grounds

An extensive sandpit with two diggers.
Multi play unit with slide and stairs.
A bank of three swings, suitable for all ages.
Small equipment including springers and accessible play unit.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Standard Entry:

Adults: £7.15
Children: £2.25
Family Ticket: £16.50

Pricing URL: https://www.forgemill.org.uk/web/prices/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Lego Themed Parties: Lego themed parties at Forge Mill Museum for children aged 5+ with the Create Build Learn team. The themes of our Lego parties can be Ninjago, Pokémon, Lego Friends, Star Wars, Superheroes, Knights, Pirates, Dinosaurs, Lego City, Minegraft, and more…

Our parties for up to 15 children includes: Cost: £190

1.5 hours of Lego activity with the Create Build Learn team
2 hours of Forge Mill room hire, with tables and chairs for party tea
Jugs of squash
Seating area for parents
Coffee bar available

Food options:

Lunch bags £3.75 a head
Pizza £5.00 a head
You are welcome to bring your own party food, and don’t forget the cake!

Potions Making Parties: Our Potions Making Parties are a unique event in our outdoor Forest School area.

Each party includes the following for 12 children: Total cost: £180

Potion making experience
Snack and hot chocolate by the fire
Potion to take home
Our small function room for your party tea which you can decorate as you want
Lunch bags and squash for children.
These parties are available between April and October, and are recommend for children aged 5 to 10 years.

For more information please visit: https://www.forgemill.org.uk/web/childrens-parties/

Main Season (1 March – 1 November 2026)

Museum, Shop & Visitor Centre: Daily, 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Grounds & Coffee Bar: Daily, 10.00am – 4.30pm.
Forge Mill Guided Tours: Tuesdays at 11.00am (April – September). Normal entry charges apply.

Late Autumn Season (2 November – 22 November 2026)

All Areas: Daily, 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Winter Season (23 November 2026 – 31 January 2027)

Shop, Grounds & Coffee Bar: Daily, 10.00am – 3.00pm.
Museum & Visitor Centre: Closed.
Christmas Closure: Entire site closed 24–26 December and 1 January.

Time may vary please check here: https://www.forgemill.org.uk/web/hours/

Address: Forge Mill Needle Museum, Needle Mill Lane, Redditch B98 8HY, UK

Post Code: B98 8HY

Council: Redditch

County: Worcestershire

By Train or Bus: Take the train to Redditch train station (the last stop on the cross city line) or a bus to the adjacent Redditch bus station (also the entrance to the Kingfisher Shopping Centre). From there, follow the walking directions described, or take a taxi from the station to the museum.
From North of Redditch: Leave the M42 motorway at Junction 2 (Hopwood Services), and take the A441 south (signed to Redditch). Follow the A441 for approx 3.5 miles. Immediately on passing the Premier Inn hotel and Beefeater restaurant on your left, you will arrive at a large roundabout (the ‘Sainsbury’s roundabout’). Take the first exit, onto Millrace Road (signed to Riverside/Abbeydale). Then take the second turning on your left, into Needle Mill Lane.
From South of Redditch: Follow the A435 heading north. Shortly after passing through Mappleborough Green, take the A4023 (signed to Redditch). Follow the A4023 straight on for approx 2 miles, then take the exit signed for A441*. At the roundabout, take the third exit, now following the A441 (signed to Birmingham). You will shortly arrive at a large roundabout (the ‘Sainsbury’s roundabout’). Take the fourth exit, onto Millrace Road (signed to Riverside/Abbeydale). Then take the second turning on your left, into Needle Mill Lane.
Parking: Free car parking. There is a main car park almost adjacent to the site, plus an ‘overspill’ car park (including coaches) just a short walk away.