Stockwood Discovery Centre
This December, our festive light trail returns to Stockwood BIGGER and BETTER. we invite you to join us for our winter light celebration set against the backdrop of our beautiful gardens from 12 Dec - 4 Jan. Click here to learn more.
Santa will also be making a festive visit with his elves to Stockwood Discovery Centre from 12 Dec - 24 Dec. Click here to find out more.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD
1ST December – 11th December
As we prepare for our annual Illuminated Light Trail, Stockwood Discovery Centre will be CLOSED from Monday 1st until Thursday 11th December due to the installation of lights. We re-open on the 12th December at 9:30am with Santa in residence (9:30 until 5pm) and our Illuminated Light Trail in the evenings (4:30 to 8pm). Please book online at www.culturetrust.com/christmas-culture-trust
Wardown House, Museum and Gallery is open throughout this period, excluding Fridays and Saturdays, and will be fully decorated with our usual Victorian Christmas style and flair. It really is worth a visit and this Christmas in the café, we’re offering a free mince pie with every purchase of a speciality coffee or hot chocolate throughout December. Find out more online www.culturetrust.com/wardown-house-museum-gallery.
12th December – 24th December
The Stockwood cafe is open during the day for anyone who wants to use it, but the rest of the site is closed unless you have a ticket for Santa. From 4pm the site is closed to everyone unless you have a ticket for Illuminated or Santa.
27th December - 4th January
The Stockwood site is only open for Illuminated ticket holders as Santa will be back at the North Pole!
To book for Illuminated or Santa, please visit www.culturetrust.com/christmas-culture-trust
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT STOCKWOOD
Experience an ideal family outing at Stockwood, offering captivating gardens, engaging interactive exhibitions, and Europe's largest carriage collection. Our museum galleries vividly portray the narratives of local inhabitants spanning from prehistoric eras to the contemporary age. Delight in the diverse attractions, including a dynamic exhibition lineup, an acclaimed display of carriages, a scenic outdoor play area for children, and stunning walled gardens. Admission is free, inviting you to explore this expansive offering.
Our Garden Café operates daily, offering delectable homegrown cuisine crafted from fruits and vegetables sourced from our garden, as well as hosting our Afternoon Tea tea offer.
Please note Scooters, Ball Games, Vaping and Smoking are not permitted anywhere in the Discovery Centre Grounds.
More at Stockwood
The Garden Café
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get there?
Parking: Our spacious car park offers complimentary parking facilities. Additionally, we provide dedicated parking spaces, including two for coaches and six for individuals holding disabled badges.
Train: Our location lies approximately 1.5 miles from both Luton and Luton Airport Parkway stations. Should you prefer not to walk, a taxi rank is conveniently positioned outside Luton Station.
Bus: To reach us via bus, board the 321 from Luton Town Centre, Church Street, Stop C9.
Is cash accepted as a form of payment?
At Stockwood Discovery Centre, we are a cashless venue. Therefore, we kindly request that all payments made at the door, shop, and cafe be via electronic methods. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
What facilities do you have available?
Toilets: Fully accessible toilet facilities are available on site. Baby changing facilities are also available.
Food and Drink: The Garden Café offers a delicious menu of light bites and lunch options. We also offer pre-bookings for our delightful Afternoon Tea.
Gift Shop: Our gift shop combines traditional museum merchandise with unique goods from local craft makers across the Home Counties region. Whether seeking a seasonal keepsake or a distinctive present for a loved one, our selection caters to diverse preferences.
All proceeds from the gift shop contribute directly to the preservation of our heritage sites, ensuring continued accessibility without admission fees.
Do you allow pets?
No, pets are not allowed at the Stockwood Discovery Centre. Our Discovery Centre is a family-friendly venue, but pets are not permitted for the safety and comfort of all visitors, with the exception of service animals.
What accessibility measures do you have in place?
Access to Information
- Free site maps are available from the reception desk, as well as friendly advice from our staff
- Induction loop available at the reception desk, shops, learning suite and a portable one is available
Pathways
- All buildings, including the café and shop have level access
- Wheelchair, pushchair and scooter access to most galleries. Please note there is restricted access for wide pushchairs and wheelchairs, and mobility scooters in the Discovery Galleries, and Period Gardens. Some routes in the Period Gardens have steps.
- Sloping paths in some areas of the gardens
- Wheelchair, pushchair and mobility scooter accessible route via main pathways
Gardens
- We have large outdoor gardens for visitors of all ages to enjoy
- Discovery Gardens including Sensory and Medicinal gardens which were designed to incorporate the opportunity for sounds, touch and also plants with scents.
Visitors with visual impairments
- Guide dogs are welcome
- Audio description tour of The Hidden House is available
- Audible fire alarm system throughout site
- Our displays have been designed to be hands-on and multi-sensory
- Audio-visual points with British Sign Language throughout the Discovery Galleries and Life’s Journey Gallery
Visitors with hearing impairments
- Hearing and assistance dogs are welcome Induction loop available at the reception desk, shop, in the Visitor Centre and Learning Centre only
- Our displays have been designed to be hands-on and multi- sensory
- Audio-visual points with British Sign Language throughout the Discovery Galleries and Life’s Journey Gallery
- Audio and multimedia tours in British Sign Language (BSL) are available
- The introductory films to Discovery Galleries and Discovery Hall include British Sign Language and subtitles
Visitors with mobility impairments
- Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome
- Wheelchair, pushchair and mobility scooter accessible route via main pathways
- All buildings, including the café and shop have level access Wheelchair, pushchair and scooter access to most galleries
- Please note there is restricted access for wide pushchairs and wheelchairs, and mobility scooters in the Discovery Galleries, and Period Gardens
- Sloping paths in some areas of the gardens
- Stockwood Discovery Centre is a large site and visitors who find walking difficult or tiring might consider bringing along a wheelchair, stick or walking frame if they have them. However, self-propelled wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are available to borrow if required. Contact the reception desk on arrival or give us a call beforehand to book in advance: 01582 548610
Audience Feedback
"It is a great place. To illustrate this I will use a little equation: Free parking + free entry x (playarea/good cafe) = brilliant for families! It gets very busy on sunny days but that is to he expected. I think it is probably the best place to go in Luton."
"Beautiful well-maintained place to visit with family. It has a discovery centre and the garden inside with a climbing frame and coffee and toilet facilities.lots of sitting area are available for picnic as well. Overall, good day out with children."
