Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre, Educational museum and country house in Stoke St Gregory, England.
Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre is a museum and country house set on around 80 acres of willow fields, processing yards, and workshops dedicated to traditional basket making.The site displays the entire production process, from harvesting willow to finishing handmade baskets.
The Coate family started willow cultivation in 1819 and added basket making to their business in 1904, both remaining on the same land.This blend of farming and craft shaped the area for more than a century.
The centre demonstrates how basket weaving remains embedded in the local way of life, with artisans continuing practices passed down through families.Visitors witness the tools and materials still used today to keep these traditional skills alive in the community.
Visiting works best from Monday to Saturday when workshops are operating and guided tours are available.The grounds are expansive, so comfortable shoes and time to explore at your own pace are recommended.
The centre produces willow charcoal alongside traditional basket items, a dual production method that has continued since the 1960s.This two-track approach shows how the operation adapted to new markets while preserving its craft heritage.
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