Welcome to Leyland's Museum.

The former Leyland Free Grammar School stands at the north-east corner of the churchyard of Leyland Parish Church. Following being established in the church in 1524, the present building was built between 1580 and 1620, the schoolmasters house being added in 1790. The schoolroom being long with oak beams, the present floor level of the room, lowered in the early years of this century, being considerably lower than the churchyard against which it stands.

Following the closure of the school in 1876, the building was offered for sale and was purchased by John Stanning, who then gave the building to the church. The Charity Commissioners gave the proceeds of the sale and an endowment of about Ł20 to scholarships at Balshaw's Grammar School. In the early twentieth century, it was used for meetings, for a Men's Sunday School Class, for a Club Room on three evenings a week connected with the same Men's Class, and for many other useful purposes.

The building then slowly fell into disrepair until the 1970’s when plans to demolish the building to use the space for a car park was overturned and the restoration of the building began, reopening on 7th December 1977 as the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre.

Above - The exterior of the Leyland Museum and Exhibition Centre from the approach off Church Road

Below - The entrance to the Museum is through the Schoolmasters House door with the date 1790 over the door. In front of the picture is the horse mounting steps next to the entry to the graveyard.

OPENING TIMES

Tuesday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Thursday 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Friday 10.00 am – 4 pm

Saturday 10.00 am – 1 pm

ADMISSION FREE

WHEN YOU VISIT PLEASE TELL THE MUSEUM ATTENDENTS THAT YOU SAW THE MUSEUM ON THE INTERNET

The Old Grammar School pictured at the turn of the century from the churchyard.