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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

The Folk of Gloucester

Name: The Folk of Gloucester
Address: The Folk of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL12PG, GB
Telephone: +441452207101
Price range: Not Applicable

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The Folk of Gloucester

An exquisite 16th Century Tudor timber-framed townhouse that was once the Folk Museum. It is now a Heritage Community Centre.

We have bookable meeting rooms, a cafe, a peaceful garden as well as fun events. Our building is free to visit and look around.

05/09/2026

The Sealed Knot Society Official will be back at the Folk at 3:45 this afternoon for another musket demonstration!

03/09/2026

Ways to get your history fix at Gloucester Day at The Folk (FREE!) this Saturday: meet English Civil War re-enactors from The Sealed Knot Society Official. Learn how they used swords, pikes and muskets in battle and have a got at 'firing' one (imitation only!).

Listen to live historical music from Bygonz and The Waites of Gloucester. Discover amazing finds from GlosArch and Taynton Detectorists. And have a look at our new exhibition on elvers upstairs!

Itinerary (all times are approximate):
9:30am: Sealed Knot re-enactors arrive at The Folk and give a display of combat and musket firing
10am - 3pm: Make your own coat of arms or pocket Cavalier with Ally Goff
10.45am: Re-enactors leave The Folk to join the Mock Mayor of Barton Parade and ceremony at 11am
2-3pm: Main parade through the city centre
3:45pm: Sealed Knot re-enactors return to The Folk with another display of combat and musket firing. Afterparty begins!
The bar is open until 6pm.

Hope to see you there!

02/09/2026

UPDATE: Robert Dixon's talk at 11am is postponed - all other talks are going ahead as planned!

Continuing with our brilliant programme of talks and music for Heritage Open Days at The Folk of Gloucester 2026, here are our speakers for Saturday the 12th of September:

CANCELLED: 11am – The Story of Imjin River and the 75th Anniversary

This talk by Robert Dixon is a tribute to the men of Gloucestershire and beyond who served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. From Robert's perspective as a fellow serviceman, it acts as both a memorial and an inspiration for present and future generations. Includes book signing.

12:30 – Songs from the Workhouse

Local Folk choir Shepherd's Crook sing songs collected at Winchcombe workhouse by Percy Grainger and Cecil Sharp at the turn of the 20th Century, and talk about what life was really like in these institutions.

2pm (main building) – Nethra Academy of Performing Arts

Nethra Academy of Performing Arts - NAPA was founded in January 2018 as a cultural organisation to promote Indian classical performing arts - Bharatanatyam (Dance), Carnatic Vocal, and Instrument (Mridangam), and to support the local communities in Gloucestershire. We're delighted to welcome them back for another performance this year.

2pm (Ed Shed) – “A Walk through Time”: Stories of the Victorian Docks

This talk by Tony Conder delves into the everyday life of the docks in Victorian times, as seen by the dock’s policeman. From murder to the mundane, we follow the stories ranging from lack of health and safety to trouble with 'foreigners’. Drawn from the pages of the Citizen.

3:30 – Touchwood: the origins of sayings and traditions

Why have we always muttered phrases to ourselves or repeated actions to explain the unexplainable? Actions or words not based on reason, logic or science have always guided our lives and hopes, helping us foretell and dispel bad luck. They are as old as the mists of time and will never cease to fascinate us - touch wood! A talk by Katherine Kear.

This year, there's no need to book for talks, so just make a note in your diary and come along on the day! The Folk of Gloucester's historic building will be open to look around, and our cafe will be serving delicious freshly-prepared lunches, homemade cake and hot and cold drinks.

01/09/2026

Kids got the back to school blues? Bring them along to Gloucester Day at The Folk (FREE!) this Saturday the 5th! They can design their own coat of arms or make an adorable pocket cavalier with local artist Ally Goff, and enjoy hilarious hands-on historical hijinks with the Time Travelling Granny (AKA Sarah Snell-Pym Writer and Artist).

There will also be historical re-enactors, stalls, displays, live historical music and delicious food and drink. So why not bring the family to The Folk of Gloucester on Westgate Street for a grand day out!

28/08/2026

Gloucester Storytelling Cafe is back and ready to bring you a new season of wonderful story nights! Join us on Thursday the 3rd of September at 7.30pm to hear Andy Johnson tell a set of legendary tales starring Wēland the Smith.

As always, we'll have our open mic slots and refreshments from The Folk cafe. We'd love to see you there!

27/08/2026

Gloucester Goes Retro at The Folk - 1960s is this Saturday! And if the DJ, film reels, food and drink and memorabilia weren't enough, we've also got vintage motorcycles! Come along to this free celebration of our most swinging decade at The Folk of Gloucester's historic building.

26/08/2026

There are some fascinating free talks lined up for Heritage Open Days at The Folk of Gloucester 2026! First up, four great speakers for Friday the 11th of September:

11am – Shire News: The Future of Local News?

Will Luker (AKA Call me Will - Journalism Page) is a Gloucestershire journalist who writes his own local independent newsletter called The Shire News, inspired in part by J.R.R Tolkien's depiction of the quintessential "Shire". Join Will as he talks journalism, the current challenges for local news, its future and what makes a good local news story.

12:30pm – The Regal, Gloucester: Now and Forever

Join Ross Campbell on a journey through the cinema / theatre's fascinating history, from opening night of 19th March,1956, to singing sensations like Tommy Steele and the Beatles, to King's School speech days, the glory of the G.O.D.S' stage shows, and the sun-filled fun of Gloucester Carnival. Books will be available to buy at the talk.

2pm – Our Heritage of Song

Local folk singer Robin Burton looks at our English heritage of traditional song and the process which creates "traditional" song. He also covers how we so nearly lost this heritage and how it was rescued from oblivion.

3:30pm – Gloucestershire Observed

Local historian Tony Conder looks at 500 years of diary entries on life in Gloucestershire. From drinking and pay, to the local take on National news and worries about potholes, they offer an inside view of the city.

This year, there's no need to book in advance, so put it in your diary and come along to The Folk of Gloucester Ed Shed on the day!

25/08/2026

Are you coming to Gloucester Goes Retro this weekend? If so, keep an eye out for Gemma around town and she'll give you a voucher for 10% off food and drink at Gloucester Goes Retro at The Folk - 1960s!

The Folk of Gloucester on Westgate Street is celebrating everything 60s with a live DJ, film reels, vintage motorcycles, and the chance to play your own vinyl singles on our decks. Come along to our sunny b**r garden to celebrate this revolutionary decade!

19/08/2026

It's not just about the parades - there's loads going on at Gloucester Day at The Folk (FREE!). Come along to The Folk of Gloucester on Westgate Street to meet Civil War re-enactors from The Sealed Knot Society Official and watch their amazing musket displays at 9:30am and 3:45pm.

Make your own heraldic banner or pocket Cavlier with local artist Ally Goff from 10am - 3pm, and listen to live historical music from Bygonz and The Waites of Gloucester.

Look at amazing archaeological finds from the Taynton Detectorists and GlosArch, and enjoy delicious food and drink from our cafe and popup bar.

Bring the whole family along for a brilliant, free day out!

18/08/2026

This Saturday, come and make one of these beautiful willow creations at our Willow Workshop with Rosie! From 10am to 12pm at The Folk of Gloucester, local willow weaver Rosie Hart (not pictured!) will show you how to make a butterfly or flower ornament that can go on display in your home or garden.

The Folk of Gloucester's historic building, cafe and bar will be open, as well as our tranquil, shady garden.

At the time of writing, there are just five tickets left, so make sure to book here to avoid disappointment: https://www.ticketsource.com/gloucester-civic-trust/willow-with-rosie/e-yraexa

Address

The Folk Of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street
Gloucester
GL12PG

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441452207101

Website

https://www.gloucestercivictrust.org/the-folk-home/

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