Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum

The Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum occupies the former Gilbert factory building and displays international rugby memorabilia spanning different eras of the sport. The collections include historic rugby balls, equipment, and gear that trace the development of how the game has been played over time.

William Gilbert opened his rugby ball making workshop at this location in 1842, creating the start of industrial production for the sport. The tradition of manufacturing continued without stopping for more than 180 years, making the place a living part of rugby's story.

The museum shows how rugby grew from a school game into a sport played around the world and how this location was central to that story. The exhibits reveal how the game brought people together and became important to different communities.

The museum is open throughout the year during standard hours and you can explore the collections at a comfortable pace. Visitors can observe the working spaces and learn about the craftsmanship techniques that have been used in this building for generations.

Handmade rugby balls are still produced in this building using traditional methods that have barely changed since the 1800s. Visitors can watch this specialized craft in action and see how modern production connects directly to the building's past.

Location: Rugby

Address: 5 St. Matthew's Street, Rugby, CV21 3BY

Website: https://webbellisrugby.co.uk/history

GPS coordinates: 52.37105,-1.26435

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:45