Cinehub East

• Stockwood Discovery Centre
  London Road
  LUTON
  LU1 4LX
  Tel: 01582 548600
  Email Us
  Web: www.stockwooddiscoverycentre.com

A year of massive rebuilding and refurbishment saw the transformation of the former Stockwood Park Museum into a new visitor attraction and museum that opened its door to the public on 12th July 2008.

Run by Museums Luton on behalf of the Luton Cultural Services Trust, Stockwood Discovery Centre has been made possible thanks to a £3.7 million cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund along with £1.2 million Objective 2 European Funding and very generous contributions from Luton Borough Council, the DCMS/Wolfson Foundation Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN), Garfield Weston Foundation, Renaissance and other trusts and groups. Members of the public have also been extremely supportive with donations and by helping to shape the displays and gardens through special projects, giving their time and expertise to support the plans.

The Centre is designed with environmentally green and sustainable principles in mind. It tells the stories of real people behind the collections, exploring the history of the region from prehistoric times to the evolution of Stockwood House and the Farley estate.

The display collections include; geology, archaeology, social history and rural crafts. Highlights include the Wenlok Jug - a rare medieval masterpiece with strong links to Luton’s history and development, the town’s last tram and the famous Mossman collection of carriages - the largest collection of its kind on display in the UK.

A paradise for garden enthusiasts, Stockwood Discovery Centre is one of the few places in the country where the work of acclaimed artist Ian Hamilton Finlay can be seen on permanent display. His Improvement Garden is a classical garden in which the sculptures are an integral part of the landscape. Once part of the original Stockwood House walled areas, the Period Gardens reflect the changing styles of gardening in this country. New areas include a contemplative Sensory Garden, a colourful World Garden and a Medicinal Garden highlighting the usefulness of plants.

The Centre also offers a range of complementary services and facilities including group bookings and excursions, corporate room and venue hire, birthday parties, weddings, schools sessions and adult learning courses