Step into the story of the world’s first Garden City at the Museum at One Garden City, a friendly, interactive micro-museum in the heart of Letchworth. Located on Broadway, the museum brings the town’s history to life through fascinating objects, photographs and hands-on displays that explore how a bold idea became a thriving community.
Opened in 2019, the museum showcases objects from the Garden City Collection, cared for by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation. From local industries and everyday life to the visionary ideas of Ebenezer Howard, visitors can discover how Letchworth grew from an experiment in town planning into a place that influenced communities around the world.
Highlights to explore
Step into a mid-century Letchworth home furnished by Meredew, one of the UK’s most important contemporary furniture makers. Here you can admire stylish 1960s pieces such as a retro sideboard and telephone table that capture the look and feel of post-war British design.
The museum also celebrates other Letchworth success stories, including elegant Chater-Lea bicycles and the famous Everyman's Library, created by publisher J. M. Dent, who built Temple Press in Letchworth to print the affordable one-shilling editions that later became collectable classics.
Fun for younger visitors
The museum is designed to be welcoming for visitors of all ages. Younger children can play at a full-size shop display complete with counter and original working till, while a smaller market stall invites young shoppers to explore nostalgic scents such as carbolic soap and pear drops - small details that help bring everyday life from the past vividly to life.
Plan your visit
Museum at One Garden City
One Garden City, Broadway
Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3BF
- Free entry
- Located in the centre of town
- Easy to combine with a walk around Letchworth’s historic streets, parks and gardens
Whether you’re discovering Letchworth for the first time or looking to learn more about its unique heritage, the museum offers a welcoming introduction to the Garden City story.
