About
Stevenage Museum tells the fascinating and unique story of Stevenage — a settlement with an ancient history that was radically transformed in the post-war era to become Britain's first designated New Town. The museum explores this remarkable dual identity with equal care and affection, honouring both the deep historical roots of the old market town and the bold modernist experiment that created an entirely new urban environment alongside it from 1946 onwards.
The museum was established in 1954, just a few years after the New Town designation, making it a near-contemporary witness to the extraordinary social experiment that was unfolding around it. This early date of founding means that the museum has accumulated a remarkable archive of material documenting the construction of the New Town and the experiences of the thousands of families — mainly from London's East End — who were relocated to Stevenage in the post-war decades.
The older layers of Stevenage's history are equally compelling. Archaeological finds from the area span prehistoric, Roman and Saxon periods, reflecting the settlement's position on an important ancient route. The medieval market town that grew around the Great North Road is documented through objects, maps and photographs, and the story of the coaching era — when Stevenage was a significant staging post on the road to the north — is engagingly told.
The New Town story forms the heart of the museum's distinctive identity. Stevenage was selected in 1946 as the site for the first of the post-war New Towns that would rehouse families from bomb-damaged and overcrowded London. The story of the planning, construction and social development of the New Town is told through original documents, photographs, personal testimonies and domestic objects that together paint a rich portrait of this great social experiment.
Personal stories are at the heart of the museum's approach. The experiences of the men and women who came to build the New Town, the families who moved into its new houses, the planners and architects who designed it, and the original inhabitants of the old market town who watched their ancient community transform around them are all represented with sensitivity and historical depth.
Stevenage Museum is a compact but richly rewarding institution that serves an important community function, helping residents of all generations understand and take pride in the complex and often remarkable history of their town.
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⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- The New Town story is genuinely fascinating even for visitors with no prior connection to Stevenage — it's one of the great stories of post-war British social history.
- Entry is completely free, making the museum a great-value stop on a day trip from London (just 25 minutes by fast train from King's Cross).
- After the museum, walk through the pedestrianised town centre — Britain's first — to appreciate its mid-20th-century design at first hand.
- The Old Town High Street, about 1.5 km away, is worth the walk for its contrast with the New Town and its traditional coaching inn character.
- The museum's archive holds an excellent collection of personal testimonies from New Town pioneers — ask about access to this material if you have a specific research interest.
- Stevenage has an extensive cycle network, one of the New Town's planning legacies — consider arriving by bicycle for the full New Town experience.
- The museum runs regular temporary exhibitions that often draw on community contributions — check the website for what's currently showing.
- Combine a museum visit with a walk in Fairlands Valley Park (1 km) for a pleasant half-day outing.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
Collections include archaeological finds from prehistoric to medieval periods, documents and photographs relating to the New Town development, domestic objects and personal memorabilia from New Town residents, planning and architectural records, and oral history recordings.
The New Town Story
The museum's central exhibition tracing the designation, planning, construction and development of Stevenage New Town from 1946 to the present, with original documents, photographs and personal testimonies.
Old Stevenage: Ancient History and Market Town
Displays covering the deep prehistoric, Roman and medieval history of the Stevenage area, including archaeological finds and the history of the Great North Road coaching town.
New Town Pioneers: Personal Stories
Oral history and personal testimony exhibition exploring the experiences of families who moved to Stevenage New Town in the 1950s and 1960s from London and elsewhere.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.