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A School Through Time

101 Top Street, Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, DE12 7AH

  • Multiple dates available
  • | In person
  • | Pre-booking not required
  • | Exhibition

Opened in 1697, this school is one of the only buildings in the Midlands to have been designed by Sir Christopher Wren. New exhibitions look at what life was like in 1697, and feature original documents never displayed before.

This building is the local village school - but it is of national significance. One of only two schools designed by Wren and the only one still extant, much of it has remained unchanged. Our permanent exhibition explores what life was like at the school in Victorian times, with a Headmaster's Office, a classroom, and a dormitory.
Our new temporary exhibition draws on letters and documents from before the school was built, through to the death of the first Headmaster some 20 years later. We examine what life was like for the first pupils and masters, from where they lived, to what they ate, and what they learnt.
Three schools operated in the same building from 1697 to the 1930s - we look at how the original free school worked with the fee-paying schools. What would life have been like for the son of a farmer to have gone to school for free in 1697?

Timings

Sunday 13 September:
1200-1600
Sunday 20 September:
1200-1600

Location & directions

101 Top Street, Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, DE12 7AH

Directions:
The A444 is the best way to get to this venue. Please follow the A444 until the turning for Top Street, which is opposite the Appleby Inn. The Sir John Moore Foundation is on the right, behind a high brick wall and a line of trees. Look out for signage. Car parking space is limited due to site restrictions. Please be considerate to our neighbours!
Contact on day:
Sally Lowe
Telephone number:
+447789238945

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

As a Grade 1 listed building, there are a lot of stairs rather than lifts or ramps. Visitors should note that there are six steps up to the Great Hall, and a further three staircases up to the museum itself. The temporary exhibition will take place in the Great Hall.

Additional information

On Sunday 13th Sept, there will be a car show which will run concurrently with the Heritage event. Entrance to the Heritage event and the museum is free, but cars submitted for display at the car show will be charged £2. There are two pubs in the village, and the Appleby Inn. All of them serve food - please check their websites for details.

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