Name: Visit Hillbrush
Rating: 5.0

Visit Hillbrush

Visit Hillbrush, Norwood park, Mere, Warminster, UK

1-90 Years

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Description

Discover a fascinating destination that brings local manufacturing history to life in a modern, welcoming space. Planning a trip here is an excellent way to see behind the scenes of a royal warrant-holding brush manufacturer while keeping the whole family entertained. If you are searching for the best things to do with kids in Wiltshire, this unique visitor centre and museum activity offers an engaging look at how everyday objects are crafted.

Exploring the main visitor centre is highly accessible for families looking for a flexible day out. Admission prices start from £0.00 as entry to the boutique shop, restaurant, and main building is completely free. There are small ticket fees only if you choose to book specific interactive workshop sessions or special events held throughout the year.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that blends local craftsmanship, delicious food, and a bit of history, this destination is a brilliant choice. It gives children a clear view of mechanical history while offering parents a relaxing environment to enjoy high-quality local produce. It is a fantastic option to spend a morning or afternoon discovering something genuinely different together.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Key Features

Sensory Play with Textures: Children can feel the different natural and synthetic bristles used in manufacturing, from soft horsehair to stiff plant fibres.
Interactive Exhibits of Craft: The display areas feature hands-on elements where kids can learn the physics of how a sturdy brush is put together.
Educational Day Out: Families can uncover the royal history of the company and discover how brushes have cleaned everything from royal palaces to local farms.
Relaxed Family Environment: A spacious layout ensures that parents with prams or young kids can move around safely and comfortably.

Detailed Highlights

The Vintage Machinery Display: This area showcases historic, heavy-duty wooden and metal brush-making machines from decades past. Kids will love seeing the complex cogs and levers, helping them understand how things were made before modern computers.
The Royal Warrant Wall: A proud showcase displaying the official seal of approval from the British Royal Family. Children can learn what a Royal Warrant means and spot the different household items supplied to royal estates.
The Interactive Bristle Station: A hands-on sensory area where kids can touch and sort various raw materials before they become cleaning tools. It is a brilliant way for little ones to learn through touch and see where everyday items originate.
The Hillbrush Restaurant: A bright, open dining area serving locally sourced meals, artisan coffees, and kid-friendly lunchboxes. Families can sit back and relax right next to the exhibition space while enjoying a fresh treat.
The Boutique Factory Shop: A beautifully stocked shop area displaying premium grooming, cleaning, and specialised homeware products. Children can browse through unique, colourful miniature brushes made specifically for smaller hands.

Detailed Inventory

The Heritage Exhibition: A dedicated museum space tracking the company’s history from its founding in 1922 to the present day.
The Artisan Workshop: A specialized room used for seasonal craft events, family activities, and interactive assemblies.
The Local Produce Market: A section of the shop showcasing high-quality food, drinks, and gifts sourced directly from Wiltshire suppliers.
The Terrace Dining Area: An outdoor seating extension perfect for families to enjoy ice creams safely during the warmer months.

Facilities

Toilets: Clean, modern toilets including dedicated baby changing rooms and accessible facilities are available inside the main building.
Food Options: The on-site restaurant provides full hot breakfasts, lunches, specialized kid-friendly menus, and high-quality vegetarian options.
Buggy Parking: Plenty of wide, flat open pathways exist throughout the venue, making it incredibly easy to navigate with a pram or pushchair.

What to see

What Visitors Love

Incredibly Welcoming Staff: Parents consistently praise the team for being polite, attentive, and very accommodating to young children.
High-Quality Food: The restaurant receives excellent marks for its fresh ingredients, great coffee, and generous kids' portions.
Spotless Environment: Families frequently note how clean, modern, and beautifully maintained the entire visitor centre is.
Stress-Free Parking: The large, free on-site car park makes arriving and unpacking the family completely hassle-free.

What Visitors Don't Like

Quick Museum Walkthrough: Some parents mention that the historical exhibit area is quite compact and older kids might finish exploring it quickly.
Limited Weekend Afternoon Hours: A few visitors note that the kitchen closes earlier on certain weekend afternoons, requiring careful meal planning.

Pro-Tips

Book Breakfast Early: The restaurant is incredibly popular with local families on weekend mornings, so reserving a table online is highly recommended.
Combine with Nature: Since a visit takes about one to two hours, pair it with a trip to the nearby Stourhead gardens for a full day out.
Check the Workshop Calendar: Keep an eye on their official website before visiting to see if any family craft sessions are running during the school holidays.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

The visitor centre and restaurant operate year-round, typically opening from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sundays. Kitchen service hours for hot food may vary slightly, so arriving mid-day is ideal for full menus.

Address: Visit Hillbrush, Norwood park, Mere, Warminster, UK

Post Code: BA12 6FE

Council: Wiltshire

County: Wiltshire

By Car & Parking: Located just off the main A303 highway in Mere, Wiltshire. Use the postcode BA12 6FE for navigation to find a large, free, dedicated on-site customer car park with excellent accessible spaces.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Gillingham (Dorset), situated roughly 4 miles away, which connects directly to regional trains running from London Waterloo.
By Bus: Local bus routes stop regularly in Mere village centre, leaving you with a short, flat walk directly to the facility entrance.