Group Visits

We welcome many different types of groups to our museum, from WIs, local history, U3As, friends groups and of course textile groups. You can choose either a tour of Forge Mill Needle Museum or the Abbey site – both are led by our expert guides.

A tour of Forge Mill explains the gruesome story of how a needle was made in Victorian times. This takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of the world’s only remaining water powered needle scouring mill. You will be able to see the water wheel and the Victorian scouring beds in action – barring mechanical problems!

We also offer site tours of the Bordesley Abbey ruins and excavations, and explain the life and work of the Abbey and its Cistercian monks and what the archaeologists have discovered throughout their years of excavations.

At the end of either of the tours there will be time to look at the current exhibition on offer.

Typical Itinerary

  • Refreshments
  • Welcome and introduction
  • Guided tour of either Forge Mill or Bordesley Abbey (it usually takes just under an hour for Forge Mill, and approx 90 minutes for Bordesley Abbey)
  • Entry to current exhibition
  • Opportunity to enjoy the visitor centre and browse the gift shop

Charges

  • £5.00 per person, which includes entry to the museum and a guided tour (Forge Mill OR Bordesley Abbey) for pre-booked groups of 10 people or more.
  • £7.50 per person, which includes entry to the museum and both guided tours (Forge Mill AND Bordesley Abbey) for pre-booked groups of 10 people or more.
  • £4.50 – Hot drink and homemade cake.
  • Cold buffet lunch option available – contact us for details.

The group admission charge includes a £22.50 deposit which is deducted from the total group visit.

To book places for a group visit, please see the Booking Form on our Downloads page.

Additional Places of Interest

Why not combine your visit to us with another to a nearby attraction?

We are close to quite a few National Trust properties. The area also has quite a few places for people who are looking for somewhere to eat. Please ask us for suggestions!

Special Group Day Package – A Crafty Day Out

A GROUP PACKAGE DAY OUT TO FORGE MILL AND THE JINNEY RING CRAFT CENTRE

Located in Radio 4 ‘Archers’ Countryside, the Jinney Ring Craft Centre is possibly the most visited craft centre in the West Midlands and prides itself on being a traditional craft centre where you can watch skilled craftsmen and women at work.

They have a wide range of crafts people working in their own individual businesses including glass, pottery, wood and painting, jewellery and chocolate as well as a large quirky gift shop and gallery both selling unusual gifts and works of art.

The craft centre is set in beautiful countryside with gardens with duck ponds and wide views across to the Malvern Hills and is also home to a daytime ‘Farmhouse’ restaurant, housed in a genuinely rustic old barn.

There are many special events during the year including music festivals, art exhibitions, courses and children’s activities. Check their website for more details – www.jinneyring.co.uk

A visit to learn the history of Victorian needle making, see the museum exhibits and the current temporary exhibition followed by a visit to the working craft centre at the Jinney Ring in Hanbury (20 mins drive between them) might look like this, (but can be tailored to suit the group’s needs):

  • Arrive at Forge Mill
  • Refreshments on arrival
  • Guided tour of Forge Mill
  • Time to view exhibition, shop and enjoy museum grounds
  • Travel to Jinney Ring
  • Lunch in the Farmhouse Restaurant (two courses)
  • Free time to view working craft units, gift shop and gardens

This trip can be booked for £26.50 for adults and seniors (£27.50 on Sundays) either through the Jinney Ring or Forge Mill.

For more information, also see our Group Booking Information Flyer which can be found on our Downloads page.

Guided Tours of Forge Mill