Mr Straw's House NT

Home
United Kingdom
Worksop
Mr Straw's House NT

Call Directions Website Contact the organisation

Step back in time to the 1920s and discover how a grocer’s family lived through their treasured possessions and ordinary domestic items.

Furnished and decorated to the fashionable taste of Florence Straw in the 1920s, the house was occupied and maintained by her two sons.

7 Blyth Grove is an ordinary-turned-extraordinary Edwardian semi, frozen in time. Boasting knowledgeable, friendly guides, this must-see, life-sized time capsule is a rare treat for welcomed guests. We are open March - October current on Thursdays. We invite our guests to book onto timed tour slots via our website. The house is rather small, so while we can accomodate large groups, we do have to split them up so everyone gets the best out of their visit. There are gardens and an orchard outside the property which you are welcome to look at and include benches. Please be aware that the house does contain three flights of stairs so access may be an issue - call and discuss if you are unsure. There will be a series of special events and tours throughout the year - check here or our twitter to get up to date news.

29/10/2026

Looking for somewhere a little different to visit this weekend?

This Saturday is your final opportunity to visit Mr Straw's House on a weekend before we return to our usual Thursday and Friday only openings.

Step inside a remarkable 1920s home, preserved almost exactly as it was left, and discover everyday objects, personal belongings and little details that bring the Straw family's story to life.

With time slots still available, now is a great time to visit if this fascinating property is on your to-do list.

🎟️ Visits are by pre-booked, timed self-led tour. Book by calling 0344 249 1895 or at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mrstrawshouse

📷 Geoffrey Frosh/Tammy Herd

27/10/2026

This mustard wool waistcoat connects the Straw family’s story with a familiar name on the streets of Worksop.

C. W. Waddington Ltd, the fine menswear shop on Bridge Place, opened in 1930. William Straw Snr, William Jnr and Walter all shopped there, and several items from the shop now form part of the collection at Mr Straw’s House.

We don’t know which of the three men owned this particular waistcoat, but we do know it was carefully stored away. After the death of his parents, William Jnr laid out much of their clothing between sheets of newspaper to protect it from dust and pests - a practice passed down through generations.

Today, the waistcoat remains on the parents’ bed, a small detail that reveals how carefully the family’s belongings are preserved.

After 96 years of trading, Waddington will sadly close its doors later this year, marking the end of a long-standing Worksop business and another chapter in the town’s history.

20/10/2026

🏡 Just two more Saturdays to visit Mr Straw’s House

If you’ve been meaning to step inside this remarkable 1920s family home, there are just two more chances to visit on a Saturday before our weekend openings end for the year.

Discover the rooms, treasured belongings and everyday details that tell the story of the Straw family and their life in Worksop.

From November, we’ll return to our usual opening days of Thursdays and Fridays until late December.

🎟️ Visits are by pre-booked, timed self-led tour. Book by calling 0344 249 1895 or online at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mrstrawshouse

📷 Geoffrey Frosh/Tammy Herd

12/10/2026

This blue woollen swimming costume belonged to Florence Straw and features the distinctive Red Diving Girl logo of Jantzen, an American swimwear brand established in 1910.

Introduced in 1920, the diving girl became an iconic symbol of the brand. By the 1930s, Jantzen was helping to make swimwear fashionable as well as practical.

Florence and William Straw Snr often holidayed in Scarborough, staying at the Swift Hotel on North Bay. The couple even had the Worksop Guardian sent to them while they were away, keeping them connected to home.

We can’t know for certain whether Florence wore this particular costume on those trips, but it offers a lovely glimpse into the fashions and family holidays of her time.

07/10/2026

🏠 Did you know we’re open three days a week in October?

If you’ve been meaning to visit Mr Straw’s House, October is a great time to come.

Throughout the month, you can step inside this remarkable 1920s home every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and discover a house that has remained largely unchanged since the Straw family moved here in 1923.

Explore the rooms, gardens and more than 30,000 objects that help tell the story of the Straws — from everyday household items to the things that reveal fascinating insights into life in Encdliffe Villa.

And if you’ve visited before, why not come back and see what catches your eye this time? There’s always another detail to notice.

📅 Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in October
🎟️ Pre-booking is highly recommended

Book by calling 0344 249 1895 or online at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mrstrawshouse

📷 Johanna Mather/Tammy Herd

04/10/2026

🎨 The Big Draw at Mr Straw’s.

October is The Big Draw, a national celebration of drawing and creativity, and we’re marking the occasion by bringing together something special.

Throughout the year, visitors to Mr Straw’s House have been drawing their favourite things - from Walter’s cacti to the house itself.

Now, these pictures have been put on display, celebrating the things our visitors love about this remarkable home.

The display will continue to grow throughout October so pick up a pencil and join in the fun during your visit.

The house is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout October. Book via our website.

01/10/2026

Autumn has arrived at Mr Straw’s House, and the gardens team have been busy creating a display using broken clay pots and conkers, bringing together the warm tones and textures of the season 🍂

It’s a lovely example of how everyday garden materials can be reused to make something simple, seasonal and full of character.

📷 Linda Bladon

30/09/2026

Join us at the Fun Palace at Worksop library this weekend.

Completely free, this annual event is a chance to try out different arts, science, music and cultural activities aimed at anyone of any age.

Join the team from Mr Straw's House and Clumber Park NT and enjoy getting creative with some crafting activities.

📅 Saturday 3 October
📚 Worksop Library
⏰ 10.00 – 15.00
🎟 Free event

To find out more, go to: www.inspireculture.org.uk/funpalace2026

Inspire Worksop Library Fun Palaces

29/09/2026

🫙 A jar full of Worksop history

At first glance, the jars sitting on top of the chest of drawers in the Lumber Room might not look particularly remarkable.

But look a little closer and they reveal a fascinating connection to Walter Straw’s life, and to the history of Worksop.

Later in life, Walter taught grocers’ skills at college, and these jars were used as teaching aids. Students could touch and smell examples of products they might encounter in a traditional grocer’s shop.

One of the jars contains a piece of liquorice root which has a story of its own.

The area around what is now Liquorice Gardens in Worksop was once marshy ground where liquorice root grew. Liquorice production became an important local industry, continuing until production finally stopped in Worksop in 1832.

Look out for the jars when you visit.

📷 Tammy Herd

23/09/2026

👣 Follow in the footsteps of the Straw family.

There’s still time to join us this Friday for a special guided walk through Worksop, exploring the places that shaped the lives of the Straws.

Led by our knowledgeable volunteers, the walk takes you beyond Blyth Grove to discover where the family worked, worshipped and spent their time, with stories and connections uncovered along the way.

You’ll also have a chance to stop for refreshments and a comfort break at the Aurora Centre.

🚶 Worksop Walk
📅 Friday 25 September
💷 £5 per person

To book your place, go to: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/mr-straws-house/events/84580383-1d7a-48a9-8898-13ac5bb6de22

Address

5/7 Blyth Grove
Worksop
S810JG

Telephone

+441909482380

Website

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mr-straws-house

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Mr Straw's House NT posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.