Description
Harborough Museum is a vibrant local history hub situated in the heart of Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Housed on the first floor of the historic Symington Building—a former Victorian corset factory—the museum shares its space with the town's library and registration services. It is widely recognised as a fantastic destination for a family day out in Leicestershire, offering a mix of internationally significant archaeology and interactive community history.
Admission to the museum is free, making it an accessible and budget-friendly choice for visitors. The venue is highly regarded for its accessibility, featuring all-weather indoor displays and step-free access throughout the building. For those travelling by car, there are multiple pay and display car parks nearby, including Fox Yard and Symington Way.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that is both intriguing and immersive, Harborough Museum is a top-tier pick. It provides a rich educational day out, particularly with its showcase of the Hallaton Treasure, one of the most important Iron Age finds in Britain. For sensory play, the museum features "The Story Place," a dedicated area for younger visitors with sensory book bags and interactive floor displays.
Features
- Free
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
What makes Harborough Museum unique?
Harborough Museum is unique for being the permanent home of the Hallaton Treasure, a massive collection of over 2,500 Iron Age coins and a rare 1st-century Roman cavalry helmet. It provides a fantastic educational day out by documenting the town's industrial past, from its world-famous corset making to the local "Symington’s Pea Flour" success story. For sensory play, kids can dive into historical dressing-up boxes, use tactile sensory bags, and explore the "Story and Rhyme Time" sessions held in the shared library space.
- The Hallaton Treasure: View the internationally important collection found by a local metal detectorist in 2000.
- Industrial Heritage: Explore the history of the Symington family and their massive Victorian factory building.
- The Story Place: A dedicated exhibition and play space designed specifically to engage younger children.
Top 5 Highlights
- Roman Cavalry Helmet: A stunningly rare find from the Hallaton Treasure, beautifully restored for display.
- Mastodon Tooth: An ancient curiosity from the Market Harborough Historical Society’s collection.
- The Interactive Floor: A engaging digital floor display located in the visitor galleries.
- Corset Collection: See the fascinating garments produced in the very building you are standing in.
- Drummer Boy’s Jacket: An evocative piece of local military history dating back to 1806.
The museum is efficiently laid out within the Symington Building:
- The Treasure Gallery: Housing the Hallaton Treasure and the Roman cavalry helmet.
- Heritage Gallery: Displays focused on the local community, industry, and the history of the building.
- The Story Place: A zone for younger visitors featuring temporary exhibitions and play materials.
- Learning Rooms: Dedicated spaces for school visits and community workshops.
- Market Harborough Library: Shared floor space offering books and research resources.
- The Café: Located on the ground floor of the building for refreshments.
Beyond the Main Attraction: Just a short distance away is Foxton Locks, the UK's longest staircase lock system, which also features its own canal museum.
4.81 miles
