Jane's Midlife Journey

Red House Museum is a local history museum located in the building of the town’s former workhouse in Christchurch. It charts the history of Christchurch and its environs, displaying items discovered and produced locally. From Iron Age tools found on nearby Hengistbury Head to Saxon burial sites. It recounts the building’s history as a workhouse plus notable local events and achievements.

How to get to Red House Museum

The museum is situated in Quay Road, at the bottom end of Christchurch High Street, around 5 miles east of Bournemouth.

By Bus

Buses 1a/1b/1c and X1/X2 stop at the Town Centre which is a 5 minute walk away.

Parking

There are several car parks nearby. The nearest car park is Wick Lane. Parking costs £1.40 for two hours. Further details can be found here. There is some roadside parking, but most is limited to just 30 minutes.

Opening Times

The museum usually opens between Wednesday and Sunday from 10 am (midday on Sunday) until 4 pm. During the summer, it may also be open on a Tuesday. Note: As the museum is staffed by volunteers, these times are subject to change if insufficient volunteers are available. Precise weekly opening times are published on the website.

Price

Admission is free – donations are welcome.

Workhouse

I was particularly interested to visit the museum, as my great uncle was born in Christchurch Workhouse, so it was poignant to see the building and read about conditions endured by workhouse inmates.

It turns out that my great uncle wasn’t actually born here. In 1886, the local poor had outgrown this workhouse, so a new, larger one was built elsewhere (now part of Christchurch Hospital) and the old building sold to the vicar of Christchurch Priory. He gave the building the name The Red House, due to the colour of its bricks. The building was later sold to Herbert Druitt and used to house his personal collection. Herbert opened his ‘museum’ occasionally, admitting those he felt worthy of viewing his precious collection.

Ground Floor – Historic Christchurch

The ground floor is home to the Bygones Galleries, depicting the life of Victorian and Edwardian Christchurch. For example, the disaster of 1910, when Charles Rolls (founder of Rolls Royce) became the first person to die in an aeroplane crash at Hengistbury Head.

First Floor – A Million Years of History

The first floor houses the Archaeological Galleries, which tell the story of the area’s ancient history, from the Iron Age Settlement at Hengistbury Head to the Saxon Burial Ground at Bargates.

Exhibition Gallery

The museum has an Exhibition Gallery, which houses a range of temporary exhibitions. For example, works from the local Arts Guild is sometimes displayed here.

Gardens

The Red House also has substantial Gardens, previously used to grow food for the workhouse inmates. They have subsequently been converted to more formal gardens and offer a lovely view of the Priory.

Bailey Bridge

Another piece of local history can be seen in the gardens. In 1940, Donald Bailey invented the Bailey Bridge; a portable, prefabricated bridge. The following year, a prototype was built on nearby Stanpit Marsh. The bridge was used extensively during WW2, with thousands being constructed to replace bridges destroyed by the Germans and their allies.

Gift Shop and Cafe

Also in the museum are a gift shop and a cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating. The cafe sells drinks and snacks, but you are also welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in the museum grounds.

Red House Museum for Children

There are activities for children throughout the museum, and outside, with additional entertainment laid on during the school holidays.

Family Explore & Discovery Area

In the Victorian Bygone Gallery, you will fine the Family Explore & Discover Area. Here, you will find a dolls house, dressing up props, old fashioned toys, colouring and quizzes.

Orla particularly loved the dolls house and spent ages moving the furniture around and putting the little figures to bed.

She also loved the dressing up, although insisted on trying to wear all the clothes at once!

Dinosaurs

Outside, children are in for a surprise as there are lots of model dinosaurs in amongst the trees and bushes.

Other Events

Events for children are held during the school holidays, such as crafts, storytelling and theatrical productions. We recently attended a circus themed session with soft play, toys, colouring and Orla’s favourite – the Big Top Doodle Room. Basically, drawing on the walls. A list of upcoming events can be found here.

• Updated: February 2025

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.