Forge Mill Museum and Bordesley Abbey

Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch is an unusual and fascinating place to visit. This historic site illustrates the rich heritage of the needle and fishing tackle industries. Models and recreated scenes provide a vivid illustration of how needles were once made, and how Redditch once produced 90% of the world's needles.

On the same site, just a very short walk from Forge Mill Museum, are the ruins of Bordesley Abbey - a medieval Cistercian Abbey which has been extensively excavated. Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, which is set in an original reconstructed 16th century barn, tells the extraordinary story of the Abbey from its development in the 12th century to its destruction in 1538 by Henry VIII during the dissolution.

Find out more on our interactive map HERE.

Learning Opportunities with Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre

The permanent sites cover two specific periods in history (Victorian and Medieval) but the site can support learning in many curriculum areas. Our temporary exhibitions programme covers a wide range of themes that can also be explored by education groups.

• Victorian Needle Scourer Role Play – Key Stages 1 & 2
• Tour of Needle Making: A Victorian Industry – Key Stages 2, 3 & 4
• Archaeology Activities – Key Stages 2 & 3
• A Monks Life – Key Stages 2 & 3
• Meet Louisa Hunt, A Victorian Needleworker – Key Stages 2 & 3
• Early Years Session
• Outreach Sessions
• Loans