I had passed the paper museum on the way to Sainsburys; how boring I thought. How wrong could I have been. Quite the best museum I went to all year. Really interesting that mass produced paper was first made in Hemel. In its day cheap paper revolutionised communications as much as the internet did a few years ago. Without it no news papers, affordable books etc. Strongly recommend.
Open on Thursdays and the 1st Sunday of each month for groups of less than 10 (no booking needed).
The Apsley Paper Trail at Frogmore Paper Mill is a lovely venue for a fun and educational family day out – truly something for everyone. Paper is a hugely fascinating, yet much overlooked invention. A visit here tends to amaze, and families leave with a new perspective on this humble material, having seen it produced by hand and by machine and had a go themselves. The production of paper is truly magical. We house two Fourdrinier papermaking machines, one originally built in 1895, and a second, smaller machine that was the world’s first research and development paper machine, built in 1902. It is on this smaller, 1902 machine that we make paper nearly every day for visitors to see.
Your visit will comprise a guided tour of approximately 40-60 minutes, which includes learning about the 2000 year history of paper, its transition from handmade to machine made paper production, fibre science, the local paper legacy, canals, heritage fire brigade and the chance to make your own sheet of paper to take home with you.
All tours are conducted by one of our specialist guides because the mill is an active manufacturing location. We endeavour to ensure that the machine is running on open days and when booked groups are present, occasionally this is not possible so do feel free to call and check.
Tours commence at 11.15, 13,00 and 14.45 only.
Fantastic day I discovered so much about how such a simple thing as paper had a profound effect on social and economic development. Highly recommended for all children from 6 to 106!
ADMISSION CHARGES
| Children under 4 | FREE |
| Children 4-16 | £7.50 |
| Concessions (65+ & students) | £9.00 |
| Adults | £10.00 |
| Family (2+2) | £25.00 |
| Family Season Ticket | £30.00 |
| Boat Trip | £3.50 |
In order to manage our wide variety of visitors, we have limited our drop-in tour days to Thursdays and the first Sunday of each month. Tours are at 11.15, 13.00 and 14.45 only.
While you are welcome to visit on any day Monday – Friday and the first Sunday of each month, in order to explore the museum, shop, café and gallery for which there is no charge, visitors cannot tour the working mill independently. The production areas are visited by guided tour only. This is for the safety of our visitors and our staff. Visitors to the working mill, must be with a member of staff at all times. You will also find that you will get far more from your visit with this extra information and opportunity to ask questions.
We try our very best to ensure all visitors can see paper being made by machine. There are however, occasionally days when that is not so. Our heritage machinery sometimes needs repair, or the pressures of production mean other tasks must be undertaken. You will always see a real production experience and in 99% of instances the machine will be running.
We recommend you need at least 3 hours at Frogmore Paper Mill. It does depend on the individual. A tour is approximately 0ne hour with variance caused by levels of interest and questions asked. Both before and after your tour, you are welcome to explore the museum, gallery, shop and café, or take a boat ride. It is a good idea to pay for a full day in the Pay and Display car park as it is very cheap and you can relax! Visitors are often surprised how interesting paper is and stay longer than they anticipated!
You only need to arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. You can arrive much earlier if you want to explore the museum or have a coffee first.
We have ramps and smooth surfaces wherever possible. Toilets including a larger adapted toilet and baby changing area are available. We have a large lift between under and upper pulper floors.
Our café serves hot and cold drinks, plus snacks (crisps, cakes and chocolate bars). We often have artisan beer brewed by our site tenants, Pope’s Yard Brewery for sale. You are welcome to bring packed lunches.
In fine weather you may sit outside by the River Gade. There you may see some of our varied wildlife.
If you have any other questions, please just ask – 01442 234600 or visitors@frogmorepapermill.org.uk
It does very much depend on the child and his or her interests and parents know them best. However, we would say children as young as 4 get something from a tour, and everyone whatever age, loves seeing the paper machine in action. The machine room can be the noisiest spot, if you are bringing a person who dislikes loud noise. You are welcome to bring ear defenders.
There is lots of information on a tour, but tour guides adapt to the audience they have. Often talking at different levels to different individuals. We try to ensure it is interesting for all.
There are items that will appeal to a younger audience as well as a paper scientist.
In school holidays we lay on paper crafting activities and special themed boat trips. A boat ride is always popular with the children!
