Smithy Heritage Centre

The Smithy is located in an original blacksmith´s forge on Kiln Lane, that was still operating until the late 1970s.

It was purchased by Eccleston Parish Council who undertook an extensive refurbishment, and in 1995 the Smithy Heritage centre opened to the public.

The Smithy has a permanent exhibition of original artifacts that details the heritage of Eccleston. Maps, photographs and documents relating to the area are available for casual browsing or serious research.

Discover the skills of the Farmer, the Blacksmith, the Wheelwright, the Farrier, and other local craftsmen. Amongst these displays are some of the original tools from the site that were used in the forge and the Wheelwright´s shop. The Education Room was completed in 2003 with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund, to enable classes of local schoolchildren to be accommodated. It also contains displays relating to Eccleston´s Tudor history.

For the younger visitors, there are a number of hands-on interactives, puzzles and costumes relating to the exhibitions to try. Free seasonal craft events also bring the subjects to life.

Additionally, the Smithy hosts two temporary exhibitions per season, each lasting around three months. Past exhibitions have ranged from dinosaurs to Victorian home life, toys and games to archaeological finds.

A wide selection of interests is catered to at the Smithy - why not visit and see?