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Mr Straw's House: A Time Capsule of 1920s Domestic Life

Step into a perfectly preserved 1920s grocer’s family home, frozen in time with thousands of everyday treasures.

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Mr Straw's House, located in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, is a National Trust property preserving an Edwardian semi-detached home virtually unchanged since the 1920s. Home to the Straw family, grocers by trade, the house contains around 30,000 everyday objects left exactly as the family lived with them, offering a unique glimpse into interwar British life and domestic heritage.

A brief summary to National Trust - Mr Straw's House

  • 5-7 Blyth Grove, Worksop, S81 0JG, GB
  • +441909482380
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Thursday 9 am-3 pm
  • Friday 9 am-3 pm

Local tips

  • Book your visit in advance as tours are limited to small groups for conservation reasons.
  • Allow 2 to 3 hours to fully explore the house, garden, and exhibitions.
  • Visit on a Thursday or Friday during the open season (March to October) when the house is accessible.
  • Engage with the knowledgeable staff and volunteers who can share fascinating stories about the family and collection.
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Getting There

  • Train and Bus

    From Nottingham, take a train to Worksop station (approximately 40-50 minutes). From Worksop station, catch the local bus towards Blyth Grove; the journey takes about 15 minutes. Note that bus services are limited on weekends. Tickets cost around £5-£8 one way.

  • Car

    Driving from central Worksop takes about 10 minutes. Parking is available in a small lot directly across the street from Mr Straw's House. Parking is free but limited, so arriving early is recommended.

  • Walking

    If staying nearby in Worksop town center, a 25-minute walk along mostly flat, paved streets leads to the house. The route is accessible but involves some residential sidewalks.

National Trust - Mr Straw's House location weather suitability

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An Edwardian Home Frozen in Time

Mr Straw's House is a charming Edwardian semi-detached residence built circa 1905 in a quiet cul-de-sac in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The house became home to the Straw family in 1923 and remarkably, the interior and contents have remained largely untouched since that time. This preservation offers visitors an authentic snapshot of a middle-class British household in the interwar period. The house itself, constructed in red brick with typical Edwardian features, reflects the social standing of a prosperous grocer’s family in a provincial town.

The Story of the Straw Family and Their Legacy

William Straw and his brother Benjamin established a successful grocery business in Worksop in the late 19th century. William married Florence Ann Winks in 1896, and their family home became a repository of their lifestyle and values. After William’s death in 1932, Florence maintained the house with Victorian mourning customs, preserving many personal items. Their sons, Walter and William Jr., lived frugally and avoided modernising the home, which helped keep the house’s original character intact. When William Jr. died in 1990, he bequeathed the house and a vast collection of about 30,000 domestic objects to the National Trust, ensuring the preservation of this unique heritage.

The Collection: Everyday Treasures and Domestic Details

The house is filled with an extraordinary collection of everyday items, from kitchen utensils and groceries to personal effects and furniture, many still stored exactly where the family left them. This trove of objects offers a fascinating insight into the domestic routines, hobbies, and tastes of the Straws. Visitors can explore rooms that reveal the family’s interests, such as Walter’s cacti collection in the greenhouse and the homegrown produce from the garden orchard. The collection also includes items hidden in drawers and cupboards, preserved through meticulous conservation efforts.

Preservation and Public Access

The National Trust acquired Mr Straw’s House in 1990 and opened it to the public in 1993 after essential repairs and rewiring. The property is carefully maintained to protect its delicate contents and atmosphere. Visits are by pre-booked, small-group timed tours to help conserve the house and its collection. The house also features a reception area and tea room in the adjoining semi, where additional objects are displayed. Educational programs and monthly guided walks through Worksop connect visitors with the broader story of the family and town.

Experiencing a Simpler Time

The current interpretive theme focuses on the slower pace of life in the 1920s, exploring how the Straws lived without modern technology and how they spent their leisure time. The house offers a contemplative experience, inviting visitors to reflect on domestic life nearly a century ago. The atmosphere is intimate and evocative, with the preserved rooms and objects telling stories of resilience, frugality, and community in a bygone era.

Gardens and Surroundings

Outside, the garden and orchard are lovingly tended, featuring fruit trees and a greenhouse that once housed Walter Straw’s prized cacti. These outdoor spaces complement the house’s story by highlighting the family’s self-sufficiency and connection to nature. The setting in a quiet residential street enhances the feeling of stepping back in time to a peaceful, domestic world.

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