Events

Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre holds many different events throughout the year.

These can link in with National Days or initiatives, seasonal themes or exhibitions that are on display at the museum, or just fun-filled events for all the family to enjoy. With such a variety of events there is something for everybody!

Wednesdays 30 July to 27 August: 10.30am to 3.00pm

GAMES ON DECK

To tie in with our Titanic: Honour and Glory exhibition, come and enjoy some free ‘games on deck’.

FREE ACTIVITY
Normal museum entry fees apply

Fridays 1 to 29 August: 10.30am to 2.30pm

ALL AT SEA CRAFT ACTIVITIES

To tie in with our Titanic: Honour and Glory exhibition, come and enjoy some ‘all at sea’ themed craft activities.

PER CHILD £1.00
Normal museum entry fees apply

Thu 28 August 2025: 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm

CREATE BUILD LEARN LEGO WORKSHOPS: SHIPWRECKS

Inspired by our Titanic: Honour and Glory exhibition, come and build your own shipwreck with the ‘Create Build Learn’ team.

We ask that any child under 8 is accompanied by an adult for the duration of the workshop although please only book a place for the participating child.

PER CHILD £5.00

Bookings should be made in advance using the link below:

Fri 29 August 2025: 7.00 to 9.00pm

BENEATH THE SURFACE: TITANIC TALKS

Come and enjoy two fascinating talks related to our Titanic: Honour and Glory exhibition.

Starting with Heroes of the Titanic – revealing the story of the heroic engineering crew. Presented by Sean Szmalc, owner of the exhibition.

Followed by The Mysteries Surrounding Titanic – presented by Worcestershire author, John Hodges.

There will be a break for refreshments between the two talks, and time for questions and answers.

ALL TICKETS £7.00

Bookings should be made in advance using the link below:

Sat 30 August 2025: 10.00 and 11.45am

TITANIC TALES AND TREASURES

An interactive voyage of discovery for children in an hour long workshop to bring the story of the Titanic to life.

Children will learn about the Titanic from her building at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast to the tragic maiden voyage through artefact handling, hearing survivors stories and taking part in craft activities and games.

The workshop is led by Sean Szmalc, owner of the Titanic: Honour and Glory exhibition.

PER CHILD £4.00

Bookings should be made in advance using the link below:

Sun 31 August 2025: 4.30pm for 5.00pm performance

OUTDOOR THEATRE: THE BIG BAD WOLF

Come on a musical journey of plotting and scheming with literature’s most notorious villain – the Big Bad Wolf. The Plandits are back on the road with this new show bursting with live music, silliness and laughs for the whole family.

Gates open at 4.30pm. The performance begins at 5.00pm. Please bring your own picnics, blankets and seats to enjoy this performance in the beautiful, natural surroundings of Forge Mill.

Ice creams and light refreshments will be available from our coffee bar.

ADULTS £13.00, CHILDREN £6.50

Bookings should be made in advance using the link below:

Sat 6 September 2024: 5.00pm to 11.00pm

END OF SUMMER SILENT DISCO

Come and celebrate the end of the Summer with a Silent Disco in the unique surroundings of our Cloisters area and grounds.

Dance the night away and enjoy making memories with family and friends. It’s an event you won’t forget.

  • Family disco for all ages from 5.00 to 7.00pm
  • Adults only 7.30 to 11.00pm (music starts at 8.00pm)

We will be selling snacks and ice creams as well as a range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Stone baked pizzas will be served from 5.00 to 9.00pm.

FAMILY DISCO (5.00 to 7.00pm) £4.50 EACH
ADULTS ONLY DISCO (7.30 to 11.00pm) £8.00 EACH

Bookings should be made in advance using the link below:

Sun 7 September 2025: 10.30am onwards

FUN DOG SHOW

Join us for a tail-wagging good time! A fun filled dog show for the whole family with rosettes awarded in each category:

  1. Best Youngster (under 18 months)
  2. Gorgeous Girls
  3. Handsome Chaps
  4. Golden Oldie (9 and over)
  5. Best Dressed (Dog and Owner)
  6. Dog Most like the Owner
  7. Waggiest Tail
  8. Young Handler (under 16)
  9. The dog the judge would most like to take home
  10. Forge Mill’s Got Talent
  11. Best In Show

Register your dogs from 10.30am. Show starts at 11.15am. Registrations are on the day and will cost £2.00 for each category.

Stalls will also be available.

This event is supported by The Natural Canine.

ADMISSION FREE
Normal museum entry fees apply

Sun 21 September 2025: 11.00am to 4.00pm

HERITAGE OPEN DAY

A day to celebrate our local heritage, supported by local community groups. Amongst the wide range of local activities we will have:

  • A range of iconic motorbikes from the Royal Enfield Owners Club.
  • Meticulously built model boats from the Little Radford Model Boat Club.
  • Live music from Indigo Arts, our local community charity supporting young people.
  • AIR (Arts in Redditch), a charitable organisation promoting and supporting the arts, will be on-side with local artists and information on art in the town.
  • Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will be promoting wildlife in Worcestershire.
  • An information desk for the Redditch History Society/Friends of Forge Mill Museum.
  • Free entry to the current exhibition in the Museum gallery.
  • Free entry into the museum – the only existing water powered scouring mill.
  • Tours by experienced volunteer guides of the Needle Museum and the Bordesley Abbey ruins.
  • And more…

Refreshments and light lunches will be available from the Mill View Coffee Bar.

ADMISSION FREE
Includes entry into the museum

Guided Tours of Forge Mill