19 07 24 | Community

10 reasons to take the children to Stockport’s Hat Works Museum this summer

10 reasons to take the children to Stockport’s Hat Works Museum this summer

Ice-creamed out? Sick of sand in your sandwiches? Running short on funds? Try a summer holiday day out with a difference. 

The re-vamped and newly opened Hat Works in Stockport town centre – the only hatting and headwear museum in the UK – is now perfectly geared up to inform and entertain the whole family.

Here are 10 reasons why Hat Works makes a great day out with kids this summer and beyond:

  1. It’s FREE to visit.
    The Gallery of Hats and machine floor are yours to explore, free of charge.
  2. It’s eye-catching.
    Children will be mesmerised by the colours, shapes, patterns and textures of our 1,300 hats and objects on display. Have fun finding your favourite!
  3. It’s hands-on.
    New Montessori-style play equipment encourages children to ‘see, wear, make, touch, hear, become, discover, imagine and create,’ through puzzles, try-on areas and a pretend play Milliners.
  4. A welcoming place for our neurodiverse guests.
    There are plenty of ear defenders available and a quiet space if it gets too much.
  5. Bringing history to life.
    While display cabinets have their place in our museum, there’s much more to Hat Works than that. Hear the stories of people who helped make Stockport globally renowned for hat making and get hands-on with the fur-felt hatting process.
  6. Guided tours are free for under 16s (when accompanied by an adult).
    Expert guides will give you a fascinating, memorable insight into our hatting heritage. Available on selected days, you can book our guided tours here.
  7. It sparks conversations.
    The Hat Works museum isn’t just about the hats themselves but what they tell us about our society and how we live. Our exhibits can help prompt discussions, such as on the ethics of fur to the impact of colonialism.
  8. Quick and easy to get to.
    Hat Works museum is right in the heart of Stockport Town Centre on Wellington Road South, so you can avoid any long, stressful journeys in the pursuit of holiday fun.
  9. There’s an onsite café.
    Refresh with a drink and enjoy something tasty while taking in some fabulous artwork. Run by the arts and mental health charity Arc, the cafe is open to everyone from 10 am to 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
  10. A quirky gift shop!
    Small but perfectly formed, our gift shop is a bit different. We have an exciting new range of hats, hatting paraphernalia and millinery and fashion books.

Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: 

“We’re all looking for low-cost or no-cost things to do with the children this summer and Hat Works fits the bill. It’s a true treasure trove of history, creativity and hands-on experiences for all the family. More than 5000 people have already visited since its grand reopening in March.

“Nestled in the heart of Stockport town centre, the museum’s reinvention is symbolic of the £1bn transformation of the area, which is about preserving our history and looking to the future.”

Hat Works is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10-4pm.

General Admission is free. 

Guided tours are available on selected days.
You can book these in advance via Art Tickets. Adults £7.50, Concessions £6.00, Under 16s free when accompanied by an adult.

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