Housed in a former warehouse, the museum has a social history collection which focuses on objects from the 19th and 20th centuries, showing the working and domestic life of local people. A recreated street contains a post office, a chemist, a pub, and ironmonger, cobbler, tobacconist and sweet shops. There is a rich and varied programme of children's activities, events, exhibitions and entertainment, a gift shop, and a coffee shop with riverside views.