John Taylor Bellfoundry Museum, Charnwood

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What is recorded here

The Bellfoundry Museum at John Taylor's Loughborough works explains a craft still practised around it. John Taylor moved his foundry to the town in 1839, and the firm later occupied the purpose-built 1859 works that remain Britain's last major working bell foundry. Alan Berry founded the museum in 1986 as demand for visits and knowledge grew.

What this place is

The museum occupies part of Taylor's historic bell foundry and combines displays of bells, patterns and tools with guided access to a continuing industrial process.

People and events

John Taylor brought the business to Loughborough in 1839; managing director Alan Berry created the museum in 1986, and supporters saved the works in 2009.

How it was used

Visitors learn how moulds, molten metal and careful tuning create bells, while the adjoining company continues casting and restoring bells for places worldwide.

What survives

The museum collections, archive and purpose-built foundry buildings survive under a trust established in 2016, beside the last working bell foundry of its kind.

Why it mattered

Unlike a collection removed from its source, this museum preserves tools and records where the same skilled craft continues, linking industrial evidence to living work.