The Smithy Heritage Centre hosts temporary exhibitions on a wide range of topics to ensure there is always something new to see. There permanent displays are dedicated to the heritage of the building and its place at the heart of the history of Eccleston, supplying and mending tools used in local agriculture and industry. The skills of the blacksmith, wheelwright, farrier and farmer are celebrated with original artefacts and images.
Family-friendly and 
accessible
The Curators are really excited by history, and take a very “hands-on” approach to exhibitions and events to let visitors of all ages and abilities get in touch with the past – literally. There are activity packs dotted throughout the Smithy, each containing a different quick craft, puzzle or toy to try. To accompany the displays, there are also real and replica objects to handle to give a multi-sensory experience to your visit.
Education and Outreach Services
Private out-of-hours visits to the Smithy can be arranged for schools and groups at a cost of £30 for a 1.5 hour visit.
Loan boxes containing real and replica objects with accompanying activity packs are available to hire at a cost of £5 per week. There are boxes on a variety of topics: Ancient Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Tudors, Victorian Schools, Victorian Homelife, Toys Through Time, World War Two, and Mining. They must be collected from and returned to the Smithy.
Sessions can be delivered as outreach visits or as part of a private visit to the Smithy on any of the above topics. We are happy to deliver bespoke sessions on a variety of subjects, and can adapt our sessions to meet your pupils’ requirements.
The Smithy Heritage Centre is all on one level with on-site parking and accessible toilets.
I was very glad to meet you this morning at Christ Church and only wish we had come sooner but had a most interesting chat with Ken. I am ashamed that I have not shown more interest in what you are doing at the Smithy having only visited once recently although as you possibly know my roots in Eccleston are deep, about 160 years though originally at the top of Burrows Lane. But grandad, dad and I were clerks to the parish council from I think `1912 to 1980ish as your records will show and Dad was a churchwarden and trustee at Christ Church for 37 years or so. So you can see why the papers I left with you have quite a bit in them. I do hope you find them of interest and will come round to fill in such detail as I can when you are ready.
John Stead
It was lovely to meet you John – absolutely no need to apologise, we’re so glad you came. I’m just in the middle of scanning all the wonderful photographs and documents you so kindly brought along. Looking forward to seeing you again so you can fill in some of the gaps and give us more background information.
I’ll be in touch soon,
Vicky
Hi we do a Face book page that has really taken off in 12 mths….its called Haydock -Remembers . we look at how Haydock was when we were all growing up and talk about its History too. I suggested we have a local Heritage Centre and gather memorabilia…and photos and anything that we can look back on ie The Bygone Times ….also perhaps have a coffe bar or cafe …Im a bit over enthusistic …but as Admin of the FB site .and Living in Haydock it would be great . Wondered how you manged to raise the funding and run your ?
I have contacted the Heritage Sponsor people who have said start smal …but its finding and funding the whole idea ! Any help would be appreciated. Kindest Regards Christine Courtliff
Hi Christine, thank you for contacting us – we love to hear from people who are passionate about their heritage and local history.
We’ll be in touch soon via email.
With kind regards, Vicky
Hi just wondered how you get funding and guidence to get a Heritage Centre on its feet ?..We don’t have anything here in Haydock and it would be great to get something going.