• Welcome An historic Tudor building in Gloucester
Bishop Hooper’s House, 99-101 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG
info@thefolkofgloucester.co.uk
Discover Our Story
Gloucester Folk Museum (for the last couple of years called the “Gloucester Life Museum”) was one of the first Folk Museums to be established in the Country in 1935.
At the end of 2018 the Council closed the Museum and agreed a deal to transfer ownership to Gloucester Historic Buildings/Gloucester Civic Trust who will be re-opening it as an events, education and exhibitions space.
The building has been known for many years as Bishop Hooper House because some people believed that Bishop Hooper stayed here on the night before he was burnt at the stake in 1555. However there is no evidence that this actually happened!
The museum has what is claimed to be part of the burnt stake.
For a more detailed description of the building’s history. Please click the button below.
The building has an excellent café where visitors can take a break including a delightful “Tudor” garden area when the weather suits.
Also on site are a pair of excellent, state of the art, meeting rooms, called the “EdShed”, which are available for hire.
If you’d like to help us with this amazing place, please considering donating or volunteering.
The Ed Shed Two Meeting rooms available to hire
Courtyard View
Facilities Include
- Wifi
- Smart Board
- Disabled parking
- Disabled toilet and lift
- Flip chart
- Fridge
- Projector
- Sink & Worktop
- Tea and Coffee facilities
Tower View
Room Layouts
- Board Room
- Cabaret Style
- Classroom
- Clear Space
- U Shape
- Horeshoe chairs only
- Theatre
Events Events at The Folk
Steampunks of Gloucestershire Winter Convivial at The Folk of Gloucester
The winter convivial is a free to enter Steampunk festival and winter crafts and Steampunk creations market.
There's lots of entertainment and fun for every one.
Tickets are Now Available for the evening event. Please click here to purchase
Tour of the Folk of Gloucester
Be one of the first to explore this building which was closed for several years!
Walk on the squeaky floorboards and smell the history!
Gloucester Civic Trust have taken over this amazing and unique row of three Tudor houses from the City Council and want to bring life back into the buildings and keep them safe for future generations.
Find out about the unique history of these buildings, the people who lived and worked there and their stories.
You will also hear about our plans for the future of the buildings which will no longer be a museum but an exhibition and events space and a centre for the local community.
Tours take place every Saturday at 11am from 20th November 2021. They cost £5 for adults, children under 16 are free of charge.
Please note that the Tour takes about 90 minutes.
Please Click Here to Book TicketsNews Latest NEWS
Appeal for Shanks Pony for Apple Day
The Folk of Gloucester is appealing for a pony to pull their Apple Mill at their annual Apple Day Event on Saturday 23 rd October.
The mill, which is one of the last surviving stone mills in the West is brought to life every year at the event with the help of a small horse or pony.
Rosie, The Folk’s regular pony, is pregnant this year and is unable to play her part.
The event celebrates Apples and the Cider industry, and the day program includes music, dancing,talks and demonstrations from The Orchard Trust‘s Martin Hayes.
Marc Waters of the Folk Events team said “The Apple Press is such an important part of our heritage and our Apple Day event; it really wouldn’t be the same without it. We are working on a tight budget and would be thrilled if someone who has a pony who is no more than 14.2 HH could consider supporting us and join in the fun ”
Alex Bailey, Chair of the Folk Project team said, “We are thrilled with our progress since taking on this wonderful venue, however we have a long way to go and supporting this event is something that would mean a lot to us.”
The Free Event is open from 10am to 4pm.
There is something for everyone from Cider Tasting to activities for the children. The Secret Garden Café will be open serving Fair Trade Tea and Coffee and homemade delights.
Martin Hayes of The Gloucestershire Orchard Trust will be giving two talks during the day.
At 11:30am orchard in the Environment, from large fields to balconies there could be a tree for you.
At 1:30pm Where does your fruit come from? A talk based around the book “Memories of life as an itinerant” by Martin Hayes, a light hearted, with a serious edge, look at my experience as an Itinerant working the land
Roman Stones Discovered at deCrypt
Gloucester City Archaeologist Andrew Armstrong talks about the important Roman stones found during excavation work in Southgate Street, Gloucester, near St Mary deCrypt Church.
Protecting St Oswalds
Gloucester City Conservation Officer Kate Biggs introduces the repair and conservation work currently being done on Aethelflaed’s St Oswald’s Priory. Followed by a detailed talk and demonstration of the works by historic building conservationist Jake Etherton
The River Twyver
Gloucester City Tour Guide Paul Drinkwater talks about the history of the River Twyver.