The National Football Museum, Preston

At Easter we visited my parents in the North and the weather was wet. No surprises there really, but what was a surprise was how much fun we all had at The National Football Museum. Grandad North is not renowned for his interest in visiting museums, but he does enjoy watching football and Preston North End is the winning team, so when we were looking for a place to visit that would keep us all dry, warm and happy The National Football Museum was the obvious choice.

The museum could so easily have contained very little to interest two toddlers but there was a brilliant mix of displays and information for the football enthusiast, interesting facts and information to engage those of us less interested in football and a wealth of interactives aimed at all ages to provide a fun afternoon for the whole family, football enthusiast or not.

There was a trail for toddlers that helped focus our Little Museum Visitors on the displays. They were asked to look for things of a certain colour, or choose the football merchandise they would most like to take home with them and it was useful to have something to help liven up the exhibits for the children. However, the museum really came into its own with the additional bits they had added for children. There were a number of backpacks around the museum filled with objects for them to discover, from football shirts to rattles and balls to gas masks. They loved opening the bags to see what was inside and enjoyed the opportunity to handle objects. The rattle was a big hit with Garden Boy and they both loved the story of Pickles the Dog. There was lots of colouring in to do, jigsaws and a little game of table football neither of them could play but which they both enjoyed having a go at.

Upstairs Garden Girl made her own film as a Match of the Day presenter while Grandma and Grandad North enjoyed a game of table football. For toddlers there was also a play corner, complete with a football net and ball, dressing up, tent and tunnel, jigsaws, musical instruments and toys. We were only there for a few hours and if I am honest this is all I expected we would be able to manage in a museum dedicated to football but we could easily have spent a whole day there. Our Little Museum Visitors wanted to return the next day and are both eager to visit again next time we are in Preston. The museum has obviously put a lot of thought and effort into attracting younger audiences and the museum should really be commended for this.

Practicalities 

• The entire museum is accessible with a pushchair and wheelchair, however the viewing platform which overlooks Preston's football ground is only accessible to wheelchair users via a lift which must be operated by a member of staff. With no staff nearby to operate the lift and no prior warning that assistance is required a wheelchair user would have to make a trek back down to reception to gain access here. 
• There are numerous activities throughout the museum for toddlers and a free trail which can be obtained from reception, although you need to ask for it as it wasn't just handed over when we arrived. The trail is divided into two parts with different tasks and questions aimed at younger and older children. 
• There are toilets onsite as well as baby changing facilities but be warned, the toilet cubicles are very narrow and fitting myself and a toddler into one cubicle at the same time was a feat worthy of Houdini. Luckily I had grandparents with me who were looking after Garden Boy but had it been the three of us visiting alone, I could not have got in and out of the toilet with two toddlers.
• There is a well priced cafe by the museum entrance offering basic food and refreshment which we didn't try but looked worthy of a visit. 
• There is ample free parking in the football ground car park.
• The number 19 bus from Preston bus station takes less than 10 minutes to reach the museum. 
• There is a museum shop.
• Visit the museum as soon as possible. The museum will soon be moving to Manchester, a poor decision in my opinion. I only hope that the excellent facilities that are provided for toddlers will be recreated when the museum relocates but a move will mean changes so take the opportunity to visit now, just in case.

Admission Prices

• Museum entry is free to everyone.

Opening Times

• Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
• Open Sundays 11am - 5pm
• Open Bank Holiday Mondays 10am - 5pm
• On Preston North End match days the museum closes just before kick off so it is worth checking the fixtures on their website before a visit.
• The museum is closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday.

Learn More

To find out more or to check for updated information prior to your visit, have a look at the National Football Museum Website


Little Museum Visitors Rating
*****