Victorian Street

Step back in time as you enter the clock lobby in the museum and experience our unique Victorian Street with its ironmongers, printers, grocers, sweet shop, drapers, chemist, police station and blacksmiths.

Did you know, we rely on volunteers to bring our unique Victorian Street to life? We always try to ensure our shops are open, however there are occasions when they are closed due to availability.

Please note there is an additional cost to purchase items from the sweet shop and ironmongers.

Sweet Shop

No visit to the Victorian Street is complete without a trip to the sweet shop. Discover old favourites including bonbons, pear drops and aniseed balls.

Young Boys Being Served Old Fashioned Sweets By Two Ladies In Victorian Costume, In The Sweet Shop

Police Station

Meet our resident bobbies and see what crime and punishment was like in Victorian times. You'll visit the cells, learn about prison food and see handcuffs, truncheons and other paraphernalia.

An image of the Victorian Policeman at Preston Park

Blacksmiths

Our master blacksmith Peat Oberon can often be found hard at work in the traditional Forge. When he is around, why not pop in and say hi.  

Blacksmith at work on the Victorian Street

Grocers

Discover how loose tea would have been measured out ‘the old-fashioned way’. Fresh produce grown in the Walled Garden is sometimes available to purchase (seasonal).

Onions and lavender on display outside of the grocers

Printers

Our Victorian printers has a working 1839 Albion Printing Press and a Columbian Eagle Press . Why not have a go at printing your name using traditional wooden type?

Printmaker Volunteer

Drapers

Play dress-up and try on hats, caps, bonnets, waistcoats and pinafores in the Drapers. Learn about the history of fashion and the perils of the Corset!

Group of people dressed in Victorian costume looking at patterned fabric in the drapers shop

Chemist

Pay a trip to J.Walker Chemist for advice on all ailments and remedies. Even have a go at crushing and rolling your own tablets.

Costumed interpreter dressed in Victorian dress behind the counter in the Chemist shop on the Victorian Street