The Museum of Making in Derby Silk Mill

In Brief.

The Museum of Making is a modern museum, opened in 2021, beside the River Derwent and near the centre of Derby across a small park from the cathedral. The museum entrance is into a grand civic hall that includes a suspended Rolls Royce jet engine and a disassembled Toyota car. The museum has a variety of exhibitions on making and manufacturing, often themed by the material used, though perhaps "making" is rather a broad remit, leading to a somewhat fragmented narrative.

The Museum of Making

What's Here?

The Museum of Making is an ambitious modern museum in a historic silk mill. This is a museum based around objects rather than a central activity such as a particular industry, though there is a small exhibition on silk making and on the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage site, which was supported by a friendly volunteer on my visit.

The entrance opens into the airy Civic Hall, which features a Rolls Royce jet engine and a Toyota car, both suspended from the ceiling, and both made locally. This is complemented by a wall of objects, grouped by what they are made from. This is alright, but reflects a recurring pattern that there may be many things, but not much is said about many of them.  Several specific exhibits do catch the eye, however, including an engine from the first aircraft to fly the Atlantic non-stop. So, while the museum is worth a visit, an opportunity has perhaps been missed to build stories around around the objects, and thus create a museum that is greater than the sum of its objects.

The museum is located on a riverside path, largely past civic buildings and modern flats, and near to the pedestrianised town centre, and thus provides a focus for a visit that takes in the compact and varied city centre.

The River Derwent from Derby River Gardens.

Practicalities.

Distance from Manchester Town Hall: 80 miles

Drive Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Price: Free - donations requested

Parking: There are several nearby carparks, with town centre pricing. I parked in the Darwin Place carpark, that is a short walk away and that has reasonable sized spaces.

Food and Drink: There is a popular cafe in the museum, pleasantly located in the impressive Civic Hall; alas, it was full by the time I was ready for lunch, so I can't comment on the food.

Retail therapy: There are two shops, one fairly standard museum shop in the Civic Hall with toys and souvenirs, and a more distinctive "makers shop" on the third floor with jewellery and gifts from local artists. 

Child Friendly: The exhibits are not specifically aimed at a younger audience, but there are certainly plenty things to see.

Toilets: Yes.

Do it justice in: 90 minutes.

Inside-Outside: 90:10

Location: Derby, UK

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