The Brickworks Museum

Heritage Open Days
2023-09-14 11:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
See the Museum for free! In celebration of Heritage Open Days – a national event that aims to make heritage accessible to all – we throw open the doors to one and all. If you have always wondered what the museum was like, come and check us out without spending a penny.
At 12 noon join Museum Director Carolyne and Collections Manager Mary who will be giving a short talk about the History of Bricks – all 2,000 years of it! Accompanied by examples from our collection, this brand new experience is not to be missed.
We will be asking for donations towards the upkeep of the Museum from anyone attending the talk.

Discovery Tours
2023-09-20 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-09-20 14:30 - 15:30, 2023-10-18 11:30 - 12:30, 2023-10-18 14:30 - 15:30 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to know more about the factory, machinery and bricks in our collection? Ever walked around the museum and wondered what you were looking at? Or had any burning questions about the life and times of the Bursledon Brick Company?
If so, we have good news! Once a month our experienced tour guides – Richard and Bob – will lead tours through the museum and answer your questions about the BBC and brickmaking in Bursledon.

Dates for 2023 are:
19th July 11.30am and 2.30pm
20th September 11.30am and 2.30pm
18th October 11.30am and 2.30pm

These engaging and informal tours, aimed at regular museum visitors, are included in the standard museum admission prices and do not need to be pre-booked. Tours last approximately one hour and you are welcome to stay on site and explore the museum and our collections after your tour.

Tours for larger groups and for organised adult groups (such as WI, U3A and Men’s Sheds) still need to be booked separately – for full details about booked group tours, click this link.

The Trains Take Over
2023-09-24 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Back for 2023 is our ever-popular Trains Day when the trains take over. Ride the rails as autumn sets in at The Brickworks Museum.
Here’s the full events listing from Events Supremo Pam:
Various Model Railway Layouts inside, some large, also Railway Sales. Very large 16mm Layout outside in marquee. Live Music, Army Vehicles, Miniature Train Rides (small extra fee), Traction Engines, Living Wagons. Also inside – Brickworks Museum with working machinery, Children’s Activities and Play Areas and Vintage Slot Machines.

Ticket Type

Cost with Gift Aid
(Cost without Gift Aid)

Adult
£10.50 (£9.50)

Child
£7.50 (£6.50)

Concession*
£9.50 (£8.50)

Family (2 Adults & up to 3 Children)
£32.00 (£29.00)

*Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free.​
Train rides and Children’s Craft Activities carry a small extra charge that goes towards the upkeep of the railway and the Museum.

Grandparents go FREE on October 1st
2023-10-01 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
In honour of Grandparents’ Day 2023 you can bring your Granny, Grandad, Nan, Nonno or grandparently-like person to the Museum FOR FREE on October 1st. We have everything from big machines to bricks (obviously); Charming cottage reconstructions and a beautiful wildlife garden. There really is something for everyone.
Small print – to get a grandparent into the museum for free, someone has to accompany them and confirm that they are indeed a grandparents or someone who fulfils that role in their life. Failing that, the grandparent in question has to give us some olde-worlde wisdom #rules.

Wedding Fayre
2023-10-08 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
The Brickworks Museum and Stacey Page Weddings cordially invite you to a Wedding Fayre. Meet suppliers whilst listening to live music at this free event. Please RSVP by booking your tickets online now – the first 30 bookings will receive a free gift on arrival.
Come along and view the Museum as a unique wedding venue. We will be showing our authentic site styled elegantly, with a fun photobooth, lots of gorgeous bespoke bridal party and wedding gifts and many other fantastic suppliers to meet, including a beautiful vintage Morris Minor called Audrey.
Bring along your notepad and enjoy doing some ‘wedmin’ whilst listening to a phenomenal wedding band outside in our courtyard. Bring your bridal party, fiancé and family, and enjoy the day with us. Stacey Page Weddings (highly commended at the 2023 Wedding Industry Awards) will be with us to meet you all and chat about planning or coordinating your special day too.
For more information about booking the Museum as a unique wedding venue, visit Brickyard Weddings and Events.
ENTRANCE TO THE FAYRE IS FREE
If you would like to visit the Museum as well, we are offering discounted entrance to everyone visiting on October 8th. Prices are below.

Ticket Type

Wedding Fayre discounted entrance price

Adult
£5

Children
£4

Concession*
£4

4 years old and under
FREE

*Over 65 and students with valid ID

For all information including stall bookings, email volunteers@thebrickworksmuseum.org

The small print – Free gift is available to the first 30 bookings; one gift per booking. The fayre is free to enter but guests are asked to pre-book so that we can manage numbers on the day; the fayre is open from 11am until 4pm, last entry 3pm. Please pop in at any point during the day to enjoy the suppliers. Entrance to the Museum is reduced on October 8th, prices outlined above.

The Brickworks in WW1
2023-10-11 11:30 - 13:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
On October 11th, meet the women of the works who held the fort at the factory in WW1. They made bricks, but there were also rumours of mysterious deliveries from the War Office and strange smells coming from the clay pits. Join us and find out what the women were working on – plus find out about life in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Our costumed crew will be in character to tell you their stories and answer your questions.

Pop in between 11.30 and 1pm to find out about the women of the ‘works.
Admission fees apply; there is no extra cost for this event, it is included in your admission fee.

Conserving The Brickworks Tour
2023-10-15 11:30 - 13:30 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to know more about how we conserve our collection? From the machinery to the fabric of the building – our site needs a huge amount of care and attention to protect the collection we hold for future generations.
This summer our conservation volunteer John is on hand to share some of the secrets and chemical alchemy that keep our site safe from corrosion and collapse. It’s really interesting stuff brought to life by a former employee of the Bursledon Brick Company and definitely not to be missed.

The Pan Mill Under Conservation

Dates for 2023 are:
15th October starting at 11.30am and again at 1.30pm
These engaging and informal tours, aimed at regular museum visitors, are included in the standard museum admission prices and do not need to be pre-booked. Tours last approximately one hour and you are welcome to stay on site and explore the museum and our collections after your tour.
Tours for larger groups and for organised adult groups (such as WI, U3A and Men’s Sheds) still need to be booked separately – for full details about booked group tours, click this link.

Halloween and Autumn Steam Up
2023-10-22 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Our autumn steam up welcomes the traction engines back from their summer show season to join us in one last celebration of brickmaking before the Museum closes for our winter months. As the nights darken and the season draws in, don’t miss the chance to explore our genuinely haunted museum at Halloween.
Here’s the full listing from Events Supremo Pam:
Autumn Steam Up & Halloween 22nd October 11 until 4.
Traction Engines, Working Demonstrations, Stationary Engines, Fairground Organ and more as arranged by The Steam Group. Train Rides (small extra charge). Inside – Halloween Decorations, Hampshire Bat Group, Miniature Railway Layouts, Craft & Gift Stalls including spinning, pottery, fossils & gemstones, cards, candles and others. Brickworks Museum with working machinery, Vintage Slot Machines and Children’s Play Areas.

Ticket Type

Cost with Gift Aid
(Cost without Gift Aid)

Adult
£10.50 (£9.50)

Child
£7.50 (£6.50)

Concession*
£9.50 (£8.50)

Family (2 Adults & up to 3 Children)
£32.00 (£29.00)

*Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free.
Train rides and Children’s Craft Activities carry a small extra charge that goes towards the upkeep of the railway and the Museum.

Christmas Festival
2023-11-26 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
The Museum’s Christmas steam event – see the site shining in the glow of Christmas lights and decorations to begin the festive period; shop at the craft market and find out about Christmas’ past in our Victorian cottage display. Father Christmas will also be taking time out of his busy schedule to visit the Museum – book your timed tickets to receive a gift from him here.*
As if that wasn’t enough, the museum will be open and in steam, we have two children’s play areas, interactive exhibits and fascinating displays. There will be craft stalls, train rides for a small extra fee (which goes towards to upkeep of the trains and rails), activities for all ages and our Coffee Shop will be open.

Ticket Type

Cost with Gift Aid
(Cost without Gift Aid)

Adult
£10.50 (£9.50)

Child
Free for this event

Concession**
£9.50 (£8.50)

Gift from father Christmas*
Must be pre-booked online in advance.
Click here to book your timed ticket to meet Father Christmas.

*Father Christmas would like to meet all of his youngest fans but he will only have enough gifts for those who have booked tickets in advance. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Please book one ticket per child wishing to receive a gift. Entrance fees also apply, as outlined in the table above. Refunds will be given if you contact us more than 24 hours prior to the event.
**Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free, but will still need to book a Father Christmas ticket to receive a gift.

Children's Christmas Special
2023-12-10 11:00 - 15:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Our smallest but sweetest event of the year is dedicated to everyone who truly believes in magic 😉 Tickets to receive a gift from Father Christmas have now sold out but he will still be delighted to meet all of his youngest fans and say hello.
The trains will be running from 11am until 2.30pm – choo choo! Train tickets will be on sale on the day.

Ticket Type

Cost with Gift Aid
(Cost without Gift Aid)

Adult
£8.00 (£7.00)

Child
Free for this event

Concession**
£7.00 (£6.00)

Present from Father Christmas*
SOLD OUT

**Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card.
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free, but will still need to book a Father Christmas ticket to receive a gift.

Spring Market
2024-03-24 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Your first chance to visit the Museum in 2024! Join us for our unique spring market as we wake the site from the long winter closure. Browse uncommon crafts and enjoy shopping in our Victorian factory buildings.
Featuring local sellers and purveyors of unusual items, this is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on enticing gifts for 2024.
Our dog-friendly Museum with its two play areas, working vintage arcade and 125 years of brick history is included in your admission fee.

Ticket Type

Special Spring Market reduced
entrance price

Adult
£5

Child
FREE to this event

Concessions*
£4

Please note
A valid entrance ticket is required
to enter the market

*Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free.
Entrance fees apply to this event and admission fees must be paid to access the market.​

Abarth Owners Club - Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire
2024-04-07 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
On April 7th we welcome the Abarth Owners Club, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire to the Museum. They bring cars aplenty to share their passion for the scorpion with our visitors. Enjoy springtime at the Museum with the added bonus of meeting the Owners and Drivers of cars built and inspired by Carlo Abarth. There is no additional charge to see the cars – standard Museum entrance fees apply and included in your visit is The Brickworks Museum with two children’s play areas, interactive exhibits, 4,000 historic bricks and 126 years of brickmaking history, and the Abarth Owners Club’s unique vehicles on display.

Image copyright Abarth Owners Club – Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire

Discovery Tours
2024-04-17 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-04-17 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-05-15 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-05-15 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-06-19 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-06-19 13:30 - 14:30, 2024-07-17 11:30 - 12:30, 2024-07-17 13:30 - 14:30 and 2 more dates | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to know more about the factory, machinery and bricks in our collection? Ever walked around the museum and wondered what you were looking at? Or had any burning questions about the life and times of the Bursledon Brick Company?
If so, we have good news! Once a month our experienced tour guides – Richard and Bob – will lead tours through the museum and answer your questions about the BBC and brickmaking in Bursledon.

Dates for 2024 are:
17th April 11.30am and 1.30pm
15th May 11.30am and 1.30pm
19th June 11.30am and 1.30pm
17th July 11.30am and 1.30pm
18th September 11.30am and 1.30pm
16th October 11.30am and 1.30pm
These engaging and informal tours, aimed at regular museum visitors, are included in the standard museum admission prices and do not need to be pre-booked. Tours last approximately one hour and you are welcome to stay on site and explore the museum and our collections after your tour.

Tours for larger groups and for organised adult groups (such as WI, U3A and Men’s Sheds) still need to be booked separately – for full details about booked group tours, click this link.

Spring Steam Up
2024-04-28 11:00 - 16:00 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
As spring sweeps in we wake the Brickworks’ Machinery from its winter slumber for the first of our grand steam events of 2024. We will be joined at this event by our resident traction engines.
Celebrate the start of the traditional brickmaking season with us. – with traction engines, craft stalls and activities for all ages.
As if that wasn’t enough, the museum will be open and in steam, we have two children’s play areas, interactive exhibits and fascinating displays. There will be craft stalls, train rides for a small extra fee (which goes towards to upkeep of the trains and rails) and activities for all ages.

Ticket Type

Cost with Gift Aid
(Cost without Gift Aid)

Adult
£10.50 (£9.50)

Child
£7.50 (£6.50)

Concession*
£9.50 (£8.50)

Family (2 Adults & up to 3 Children)
£32.00 (£29.00)

*Students and adults over 65, students must have a valid ID Card
Those with annual membership and visitors aged 4 and under come in for free.​
Train rides and Children’s Craft Activities carry a small extra charge that goes towards the upkeep of the railway and the Museum.

The Bricks, Beer and Buses Festival 2024
2024-05-11 12:30 - 17:30 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Our Popular Beer Festival has now sold all its tickets. If you would like to go on a waiting list please email us: info@thebrickworksmuseum.org

Tickets include:
A Heritage Bus ride from Swanwick Station
A festival glass
An informative programme.
Entry to the ground floor of the museum to see our working machinery in steam (12.00 – 2.30)
Half pint beer tokens will be available for purchase on arrival – card payment is preferred.
Tickets for this event will be released at 9am on March 1st on this link.

Please take time to read our T&C’s:
This is a strictly ticket only event. There is a strict museum policy that prohibits smoking or vaping within the building complex. Only adults (over 18) will be admitted into this event, please don’t bring children. Be prepared to show ID if asked. Only alcohol bought at the event to be consumed on site.
Tickets are non-exchangeable and non-refundable unless cancelled by the venue.
We do have a waiting list for tickets so please let us know if you have any spare as we may be able to buy them back.

Brickwork Events present ABBA ANGELS
2024-07-13 19:00 - 22:30
Brickworks Events, the business that runs our café, is organising and presenting this exciting event. More information and to book HERE.
Get ready for an evening of sing-a-long and dancing with ABBA’s ANGELS – one of the leading Abba tributes in the UK.
They’ll be encouraging you all to sing-a-long to all your favourite hits, dancing is encouraged and you are welcome to come in your best Abba style dress up if you want to.
The show starts promptly at 8pm, please arrive from 7pm to get settled and be seated by 7.45pm.
Tickets are on a first come, first served basis, there will be no more tickets available once the venue reaches capacity.
Tickets can be purchased in groups or as single tickets as you can pre book seating. Other seating is allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Discovery Tours
2024-10-16 13:30 - 14:30 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Have you ever wanted to know more about the factory, machinery and bricks in our collection? Ever walked around the museum and wondered what you were looking at? Or had any burning questions about the life and times of the Bursledon Brick Company?
If so, we have good news! Once a month our experienced tour guides – Richard and Bob – will lead tours through the museum and answer your questions about the BBC and brickmaking in Bursledon.

Tour Times are 11.30am and 1.30pm
These engaging and informal tours, aimed at regular museum visitors, are included in the standard museum admission prices and do not need to be pre-booked. Tours last approximately one hour and you are welcome to stay on site and explore the museum and our collections after your tour.

Tours for larger groups and for organised adult groups (such as WI, U3A and Men’s Sheds) still need to be booked separately – for full details about booked group tours, click this link.

Festive Wreath Making Workshop
2024-11-30 13:30 - 15:30 | The Brickworks, Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, SO31 7HB, United Kingdom
Join us on Saturday 30th November for our festive wreath making workshop, Hosted in the Brickyard cafe.
The workshop will start at 1.30pm and last around 2 hours.
All materials and festive refreshments will be provided
If you would to start the afternoon with a festive afternoon tea the total cost is £75
Wreath workshop only cost is £55
All materials and refreshments will be provided to make an eco friendly 40cms door wreath with a moss base from scratch
More details and booking »
