Families in Stroud can step back into Victorian life this summer with a hands-on activity day at the Museum in the Park. Discover the Victorians will take place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the museum in Stratford Park.
The drop-in family session will run from 11:30am to 3:30pm, giving visitors the chance to explore how people lived in Stroud during Victorian times. Activities will include washing laundry and hanging clothes to dry, cleaning carpets and trying rag rugging.
What families can do
Children can also try writing on a slate and practising handwriting with a dip pen while thinking about what school was like in the Victorian era. The programme includes Victorian toys and games, along with the chance to make an optical illusion toy and a peg doll to take home.
The activity is designed for families with children aged over five to explore together. Younger children can also take part with support from grown-ups.
Entry and location
Entry costs £1 per child, with payment available on the day. The event is being held at the Museum in the Park, Stratford Park, Stratford Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4AF.
The session is also intended to support participation in the Gloucestershire Library Challenge 2026. Families interested in the wider challenge are directed to the Gloucestershire Libraries website for further information.
As a drop-in event, families can arrive at any point during the four-hour session rather than attending at a fixed start time.
