The Elgar Birthplace Museum

The Elgar Birthplace Museum
The Elgar Birthplace Museum gives a fascinating insight into the life and music, family and friends, development and inspirations of Sir Edward Elgar, one of England's greatest composers, whose masterpieces include Pomp and Circumstance Marches, Salut d'Amour, Nimrod and the other Enigma Variations, the cello concerto symphonies, The Dream of Gerontius, The Apostles.......

A new Elgar Statue

On Friday 13th March 2009, Sir Mark Elder CBE, Music Director of the Hallé
Orchestra unveiled a new Bronze sculpture of Sir Edward Elgar. The sculpture by Shropshire sculptor Jemma Pearson, was commissioned by The Elgar Foundation to commemorate in 2007 the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Elgar. Not the Edwardian gentleman as most people know him, this statue depicts a younger Elgar, aged about 40 relaxing on a bench looking out toward his beloved Malvern Hills. The statue was designed very much with its setting in mind which is an intimate and secluded space at the bottom of the cottage garden.

Jemma Pearson was also responsible for the sculpture of the Elgar, which stands near Hereford Cathedral.


The country cottage
The country cottage where Edward Elgar was born on 2nd June 1857 is set in the heart of his beloved Worcestershire countryside, with views towards the Malvern Hills. Following his father's wishes, Elgar's daughter Carice set up a Museum here, after his death in 1934.

With the growth of world wide interest in Elgar's music, and the addition of many more treasures to this unique collection, the museum expanded in 2000 by the opening of the Elgar Centre, providing more display space and better facilities for visitors.

The Museum shop
The Museum shop has an unrivalled range of Elgar's CD's, books, sheet music and scores as well as Cds of music by Elgar contempories. There is also an attractive selection of souvenirs, greeting cards, and gifts for adults and children. Discounts are available on bulk sheet music orders for choirs and groups.

The Carice Elgar Room.
Events, refreshments, educational activities and talks for groups take place in this attractive room, which can also be hired for meetings, concerts, courses and other events.

Elgar the Musician
Following the fascinating story of Elgar's musical development and inspirations; his early music making; how he learned from what he could in his father's music shop; his struggle for recognition and his subsequent rise to fame; his involvement in the pioneering days of recording; and his many honours and awards. See his desk, laid out how it was when he was composing; his music scores and manuscripts; concert programmes; letters; photographs; books; and his gramophone.

Elgar the Man
Explore the man behind the familiar face on your £20 note, and get a glimpse of the Victorian and Edwardian society in which he lived. Through his family photos, postcards, letters, and many personal possessions, trace the story of his childhood and family life, his marriage to Alice and his devoted support. Discover his many hobbies (golf, cycling round country lanes, scientific experiments, puzzles; his travels in the United States and Europe; and his final years revisiting childhood haunts.

Accessibility

We aim to be as accessible as possible to all. The Carice Elgar Room, shop, toilet, Elgar Centre displays and the Cottage ground floor are fully accessible to wheelchair-users but steep narrow stairs to the Cottage's upper floor restrict access for less agile visitors. Guide/Hearings Dogs Welcome.