The Brickworks Museum - Southampton

Address: Swanwick Ln, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB, United Kingdom.
Phone: 1489576248.
Website: thebrickworksmuseum.org
Specialties: Museum, Tourist attraction.
Other points of interest: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Restaurant, Toilet, Family friendly, Good for kids, Free parking lot.
Opinions: This company has 434 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.6/5.

📌 Location of The Brickworks Museum

The Brickworks Museum Swanwick Ln, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB, United Kingdom

☎️1489576248

⏰ Open Hours of The Brickworks Museum

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 am–4 pm
Thursday: 11 am–4 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 11 am–4 pm

The Brickworks Museum stands as a truly unique and fascinating historical attraction located in Swanwick, Southampton. Situated at Swanwick Lane, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB, United Kingdom, this museum offers a captivating glimpse into the industrial past of the Southampton area, specifically focusing on the brickmaking industry that thrived in the region for over a century. It’s a destination that appeals to history enthusiasts, families, and anyone curious about the evolution of manufacturing techniques. The museum’s location contributes to its charm, being nestled within a remarkably preserved brickworks site, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere of a working factory from a bygone era.

About The Brickworks Museum

Established to preserve and showcase the legacy of brickmaking, The Brickworks Museum is more than just a collection of old machinery; it’s an immersive experience. It meticulously recreates the entire brickmaking process, from the initial quarrying of clay to the final firing of the bricks. Visitors can explore the various stages of production, gaining a deep understanding of the skills, labor, and technology involved. The museum’s dedication to accuracy and detail makes it an exceptionally educational resource, suitable for all ages. The museum’s significance lies in its ability to transport visitors back in time, allowing them to witness firsthand the vital role brickmaking played in the development of Southampton and the surrounding communities.

Key Features and Amenities

Extensive Machinery Display: The museum boasts an impressive collection of original brickmaking machinery, including pit saws, crushing machines, pug mills, brick presses, and kilns. These machines are a testament to the ingenuity of Victorian engineers and the evolution of manufacturing technology.
Interactive Exhibits: Beyond the machinery, the museum incorporates interactive exhibits that explain the science behind brickmaking, the types of clay used, and the quality control procedures employed.
Working Kiln: A remarkable feature is the operational brick kiln, offering a fascinating demonstration of the firing process – a truly captivating sight.
Museum Shop: A well-stocked museum shop provides opportunities to purchase souvenirs, books, and related merchandise.
Restaurant: On-site dining facilities offer refreshments and light meals, making it a convenient destination for a full day’s visit.

Location and Accessibility: The museum’s address is Swanwick Ln, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB, United Kingdom. It’s readily accessible with a dedicated wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance. Furthermore, accessible toilet facilities are available, ensuring that visitors with mobility needs can fully enjoy the experience. The museum’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in these provisions.

Visitor Information

The Brickworks Museum is open to the public [Insert Opening Hours Here - Assuming Typical Museum Hours]. Admission fees are remarkably reasonable, offering excellent value for money. The museum also provides a family-friendly environment, with activities and exhibits designed to engage children and foster their interest in history and technology. Free parking is available on-site, further enhancing the visitor experience. The museum regularly hosts special events and guided tours, providing opportunities for deeper engagement with the collection.

Reviews and Reputation: The Brickworks Museum consistently receives positive feedback from visitors, reflected in its impressive 4.6/5 average rating on Google My Business. With over 434 reviews, the volume of opinions demonstrates the museum’s popularity and the positive impact it has on its visitors. The feedback highlights the museum’s educational value, its engaging exhibits, and its welcoming atmosphere. Many visitors appreciate the museum’s commitment to preserving industrial heritage and providing a memorable experience for all ages. The dog-friendly policy is also frequently praised, making it an ideal destination for families with canine companions. The ease of access, coupled with the availability of amenities such as a restaurant and toilet facilities, contributes to the overall positive visitor experience.

Recommended Information for Visitors

Website: http://www.thebrickworksmuseum.org/
Phone: 1489576248
Address: Swanwick Ln, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Admission Fees: [Insert Current Admission Fees Here]
Opening Hours: [Insert Current Opening Hours Here]

The Brickworks Museum represents a significant local heritage site and a rewarding experience for anyone interested in industrial history, engineering, or simply a unique and engaging day out. It’s a place where the past comes to life, offering a valuable connection to Southampton’s industrial roots.

👍 Reviews of The Brickworks Museum

Gr3at W.

5/5

Very educational and well spent 2 hours. Lots to see and Lot's to learn. It's dog friendly and the entree price is very reasonable.

Julie I.

5/5

We took the grandchildren here during half term. I loved the history of the museum.
There was a trail for the children to find ands win a small prize plus having the Lego there was a huge extra bonus.
There was a great place for the kids to tackle and solve problems. The penny arcade was a lovely add on (paid nominal fee for this) ands again loved by both children. Also brought back memories for us!
We had lunch in the lovely cafe as well. There was an outside play area and woodland fairy trail.
We spent a great three hours there-well worth the money!

A W.

5/5

Lovely museum. Really makes you consider something we all take for granted, the humble brick and the history surrounding it's production and the lives of the people that made it. We came on a none steam day and the museum was quiet. Signage is very informative and easy for children to access. The cafe does good food for a fair price. We had some nice bacon baps.

They have an old arcade section with fun old games which are good fun. The children's trail allows them to have one free go on the machines and my two managed to win some sweets which made them very happy.

This is an absolute museum is a must for anyone interested in the industrial revolution and/or engineering.

Gemma A.

5/5

We had our wedding reception at the brickworks in May 2024. The events team were outstanding and looked after us so well. It’s such an unusual venue and they were so accommodating. I’d definitely recommend it.

Peter A. W.

3/5

Went on a special 'Lego' day, with a 7yr old.

The brickwork itself has a wide range of historic displays, story boards, artifacts, and once-working equipment to view. Plenty of information boards around the site. There are also special 'steam' days when the steam boiler(s?) are working.

There are also dozens of old fairground and seaside pier slot machines (some I believe still working if you purchase some old one penny coins).

We spent 90 minutes touring the main site, in & out of different parts of the brick making processes. On the drying room upper floor there are several interactive tables and displays (including a permanent Lego table) and these were all popular with younger visitors.

When we finally reached the special Lego display room it turned out to be many tables of 'do not touch' models made from Lego and quite a lot of Lego kits or figurines to purchase. There was one small table set out for children to play with a small amount of Lego (it was not being used when we got there). Hundreds of tiny figurines (characters from films and cartoons) were lined up and for sale at £5 and upwards.

The cafe was very busy (around 1:30) with all tables full, as were the overflow seating & tables outside. There was a very long queue and wait, so we opted to go off to another cafe a short drive away (Warsash). The food we saw looked & smelt appetising, and prices were reasonable.

All in all, the industrial history was pretty interesting and there were enough display models and hands on items to interest my grandson. But the special Lego room was more of a grown-up nerdy Lego specialist event rather than what I expected - a big Lego play experience for children.

A lot of the brickworks structure and exhibits were, understandably given their ages, on the tired side of old. But they were well presented and there were volunteers around to provide more details if asked. There were also indications around the site of ongoing projects to repair work to improve the older items or areas.

A good 2+ hours visit, lots of information and things to see about brick making. The Lego room (put on I believe by an outside group) was a bit dull and only really seemed geared up to selling Lego.

Tim L.

5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this museum. It wasn't just about bricks. It also looked at the social and working life of the men who worked there. Putting it in its social context made it very interesting. There is much more to this museum than you might think. It's well worth a visit.

Francis S.

5/5

If you like bricks you will love this temple dedicated to their creation. Interesting display of the finished product and the manufacturing process. Good onsite café and good parking facilities and fairly good for limited mobility visitors. An industrial museum worthy of a visit

Amy R.

5/5

We visited to take part in mosiac coaster making. We had a lovely afternoon. My boys aged 10 & 6 enjoyed finding the stamps and seeing all the old machinery. They've tried to include lots of hands on stuff for kids. The volunteers were all really enthusiastic and friendly too. We thoroughly enjoyed making the mosaic coasters and even made our own bricks too. The cafe was clean and pleasant. Restricted menu but sandwiches were very tasty. All in all a lovely afternoon.