Rugby School & Museum

Visit Rugby School, birthplace of Rugby Football, scene of Tom Brown's Schooldays, home of the poet Rupert Brooke and the school which educated Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland. 

It was at Rugby School in 1823 that William Webb Ellis, a pupil at the school, first broke the rules and picked up the ball and ran with it. The place where it happened - Rugby School's Close - can still be seen today. 

For several centuries, the history of the town and the school have been intertwined. Many famous people have been educated at Rugby School including Thomas Hughes, whose book 'Tom Brown's Schooldays' was based on his own schooldays. 


Rugby School Museum - 10 Little Church Street, Rugby
Tel. (01788) 556109. Tour bookings (01788) 556227 

Rugby School has an award winning museum which has a wealth of memorabilia about this famous school and the game of rugby football. You can even go on a guided tour of the school which will give you a fascinating insight into its history. 

The School Museum tells the story of Rugby, its people and its famous game. Open Monday - Saturday: 10.30 a.m.to 12.30 p.m. & 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Sunday 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Quality gifts, souvenirs and memorabilia are available at the Gift Shop in the Museum.