Museums in England(A-B) A highly idiosyncratic list of both public and
commercial places to visit, based on the exacting criteria of whatever
I think might be fun. There are, of course, thousands of museums big
and small throughout the UK. What's your favourite?
Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal.
Kendal,
Cumbria,
England,
LA9 5AL
A museum detailing the life and work of archeology pioneer Alexander Keillor. Keillor was responsible for much of the early excavating work at the Avebury henge complex, and the museum has one of the best exhibits of prehistoric remains in the country.
Avebury,
Wiltshire,
England,
SN8 1RF
Beautiful thatched manor built in the 17th century contains the obligatory displays on local history, but also recreations of period scenes, including a cobbler's shop, a chemist's, and a Victorian veterinarian's premises.
West Street,
Alford,
Lincolnshire,
England,
LN13 9DJ
An open air museum dedicated to the industrial heritage of south east England. The museum covers 36 acres of exhibits, ranging from transportation to traditional crafts. Visitors can see craftspeople working at their trades, including pottery, blacksmithing, broom-making, and walking stick making.
nr.Arundel,
Amberley,
West Sussex,
England,
BN18 9LT
Built in 1820, Claverton Manor has housed the American Museum for over 50 years. 18 period rooms document the development of American decorative arts from the 1680s to the 1860s. Among the items on display are examples of folk and Native American art, and an extensive collection of quilts. Over 200 quilts are on display, with pieces of traditional Shaker furniture, Native American art, and old maps of the New World.
Claverton Manor,
Bath,
Somerset,
England,
BA2 7BD
The museum is housed in a half-timbered merchant's hall dating from the 15th century. Within the hall are exhibits tracing the history and archaeology of the area, including medieval wall paintings, lacemaking, costumes, fossils, and local crafts.
49 High Street,
Amersham,
Buckinghamshire,
England,
HP7 0DP
A museum of Thetford life, housed in an attractive, half-timbered, Tudor merchant's house. The house, which is Grade I listed, tells the fascinating history of Thetford and the Brecks region, through displays of industrial heritage, archaeology, photos, costumes, arms and armour, social history, fine art, and natural history.
White Hart Street,
Thetford,
Norfolk,
England,
IP24 1AA
Ongoing programme of changing displays detailing the rich history of Arundel and the surrounding area. The museum also operates a History Store, located at the Car Park in Mill Road, opposite the entrance to Arundel Castle.
c/o The Town Hall,
Maltravers Street Arundel,
West Sussex,
England,
BN18 4AP
A small museum standing almost in the shadow of historic Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle. Ashby Museum has exhibits of Ashby's past, with special attention devoted to the castle. There are displays of local archaeology, Roman history, maps, and basically anything related to Ashby's past.
North Street,
Ashby-de-la-Zouch,
Leicestershire,
England,
LE65 1HU
The oldest museum in Britain, dating back to 1683. Exhibits from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Asia, focussing on ceramics, paintings, and silver. The prize exhibit, without a doubt, is the magnificent gold-encrusted "Alfred Jewel", a Saxon relic possibly made for Alfred the Great.
Beaumont Street,
Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX1 2PH
A Grade I listed manor house dating back to the early 16th century, listed as one of Britain's Best 1,000 Houses in the book of the same name by Simon Jenkins, and now used as a museum and art gallery for the Chorley region. Astley Hall is really three houses in one; at the core of the house is a Tudor H-plan manor built by the Charnock family on a site once owned by the Knights Hospitaller. Around 1575 the manor was rebuilt in typical Elizabethan style as a courtyard mansion.
Hallgate,
Chorley,
Lancashire,
England,
PR7 1NP
Attraction Type:
Museum Heritage Rating:? Location: Off Hallgate, Astley Village, 3 miles from junction 8 of the M61. Follow the brown signs from Chorley Hospital or the M61 exit. Or access off Chancery Road and West Way (B5252).
600 years worth of historic buildings rescued from demolition, ranging from a 15th century merchant's house to a 1946 prefab. Working windmill, a Victorian chainshop, and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection (so there's no excuse for not phoning home).
Stoke Heath,
Bromsgrove,
Worcestershire,
England,
B60 4JR
Located in a picturesque park setting, the Batley Museum houses exhibitions of local social history, and objects from Egypt, Asia and Africa, as well as displays of taxidermy.
Wilton Park,
Batley,
Yorkshire,
England,
WF17 0AS
Attraction Type:
Museum Heritage Rating:? Location: TEMPORARY CLOSURE Bagshaw Museum is closed for structural work and gallery developments jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Kirklees Council.
A museum of local history covering the historic town of Alnwick and the surrounding area. The museum is organized into six themed areas, including the Alnwick district history of agriculture, railways, and fishing, Border Riever country, local castles, and a history of the Freemen of Alnwick.
14 Bailiffgate,
Alnwick,
Northumberland,
England,
NE66 1LX
Preserving the history of the Red Cross in Hampshire, the museum offers a comprehensive programme of exhibits and events.
Red Cross House,
Winnall Close, Winall Winchester,
Hampshire,
England,
SO23 0LB
The studio and sculpture garden owned by noted 20th century sculptor Barbara Hepworth are maintained by the Tate St. Ives museum as part of its committment to preserve and offer access to the best of modern British art. Hepworth created the garden before her death, and asked that the sculpture be displayed exactly as she had placed it.
Barnoon Hill
,
St Ives,
Cornwall,
England,
TR26 1AD
1980's discovery of medieval townhouse of the Priors of Nostell, restored to its late 15th century condition, the period when it was occupied by goldsmith Mayor of York, Alderman William Snawsell.
2 Coffee Yard,
Stonegate York,
Yorkshire,
England,
YO1 8AR
Tucked away in the basement of the Faculty of Music, this wonderful museum has 300 year old keyboards, harpsichords, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments on display.
Oxford University Faculty of Music,
St. Aldate's Oxford,
Oxfordshire,
England,
OX1 1DB
The museum traces the history of the postal service, including a recreation of a 19th century post office. The museum not only traces the history of the post within Britain, but looks at postal systems in ancient societies. There are displays on post boxes through the years, and a look at the life and times of key figures involved in the establishment of the British postal system, including Ralph Allen, Thomas Moore Musgrave, and John Palmer. There is a special collection about the earliest British system of post marks and stamps, with late 17th century letters bearing a 'Bishop mark', a stamp named for Henry Bishop, Postmaster-General under Charles II.
An enjoyable museum of local history, with exhibits covering the heritage of Battle, the abbey, and the surrounding area. Diisplays run the gamut from prehistoric, Roman, medieval, Civil War, oral history, and more, with collections of genealogical material, old photographs, agriculture, and local industries.
The Almonry,
High Street Battle,
East Sussex,
England
Housed in a building that was once the office of the author's husband, the museum offers changing exhibits of original watercolour illustrations and sketches from her stories.
Main Street,
Hawkshead,
Cumbria,
England,
LA22 0NS
Just around the corner from the North York Moors Railway station in Pickering is the Beck Isle Museum, which covers the rich local history of the Moors and the Ryedale region. This award-winning museum is housed in the very first Agricultural College in England, a lovely Georgian building created by architect William Marshall.
Beck Isle,
Pickering,
Yorkshire,
England,
YO18 8DU
Beckford's Tower is a striking neo-classical monument designed for William Beckford, a writer, collector, and patron of the arts. In 1825 Beckford called in architect Henry Goodridge to design a 120 foot high tower to house his collection of rare books and art, and to act as a writing retreat.
Lansdown Road,
Bath,
Somerset,
England,
BA1 9BH
Museum of the the geology, archaeology, natural history, and social history of the Bedford area, housed in the former Higgins Castle Brewery.
Castle Lane,
Bedford,
Bedfordshire,
England,
MK40 3XD
A unique museum wonderfully situated in an old historic butcher's 'shambles'. The museum features a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, showcasing the heritage of Bewdley and area through a combination of static displays and hands-on activities for all ages. In addition, there are resident craftspeople in residence, covering crafts such as rope and clay pipe making, stained glass, ceramics, and cabinet making. Adjoining the museum is the lovely Jubilee Gardens, offering pleasant park walks along paved paths.
Load Street,
Bewdley,
Worcestershire,
England,
DY12 2AE
A museum of local social history, with an especially strnog collection of historic costumes. Displays range from the late 18th century to the present day, with collections of toys, objects of everyday life, dolls, embroidery, and hand-made lace.
Egerton Road,
Bexhill-on-Sea,
East Sussex,
England
High quality contemporary crafts in a friendly and informal environment. Visitors are invited to ask questions, bring the children, and enjoy! Many of the works are for sale.
Mount Pleasant,
Bilston,
West Midlands,
England,
WV14 7LU
Heritage buildings relocated from their original Black Country settings form this 26 acre urban living heritage museum. Working craftsmen, exhibition halls, underground coalmine, 1930s fish and chip shop, and much more.
Tipton Road,
Dudley,
West Midlands,
England,
DY1 4SQ
A local history and archaeology museum in a historic house believed to be the birthplace of Admiral Robert Blake.
Blake Street,
Bridgwater,
Somerset,
England,
TA6 3NB
A small museum that tells the often fascinating story of this popular seaside town on the south coast of West Sussex. The museum is operated by the Bognor Regis Local History society, and covers a quite astonishing range of information, from the geology and archaeology of the region, to vintage photographs, cameras, toys, and a wide variety of displays covering every aspect of local life.
69 High Street,
Bognor Regis,
West Sussex,
England,
PO21 1RY
A museum housed in the historic 15th century guildhall, the site where the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned in 1607 before sailing to America (the original prison cells can be viewed). Se a 16th century kitchen, and maritime and rural exhibits.
St Mary's Guildhall,
South Street Boston,
Lincolnshire,
England,
PE21 6HT
This is where the Middle Ages staggered to an end. On this field Richard III lost his kingdom and his life to Henry VII in 1485. There are displays and models of the battle in the visitor centre, along with armour, a theatre for film and live presentations, and battlefield trails.
Sutton Cheney,
Nuneaton,
Leicestershire,
England,
CV13 0AD
This beautifully situated house was the home of influential Victorian poet, artist, writer, and critic John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900. Brantwood is filled with Ruskin's personal effects, drawings, watercolours, and furniture.
Coniston,
Lake District,
Cumbria,
England,
LA21 8AD
The Brighton Fishing Museum is situated right on the seafront, in the heart of the historic fishing quarter. The museum traces the history of fishing in Brighton from the fashionable heyday of the Regency period to the present day. Among the displays are a 27 foot clinker built punt boat - the traditional raft used in this part of Sussex - plus old photographs, oral history exhibits, boating and fishing mementos, and a computer archive of boating records.
201 King's Road Arches,
Brighton,
East Sussex,
England,
BN1 1NB
The largest museum in the region, Bristol's City Museum features a wide range of exhibits covering dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, British wildlife, minerals, fossils, ceramics, fine art and modern artwork. There are plenty of family activities and lots to interests children of any age. An excellent museum, and well worth a visit.
Queen's Road,
Bristol,
Bristol,
England,
BS8 1RL
18th century townhouse offers a glimpse into the life of the times, above and below stairs.
7 Great George Street,
West End Bristol,
Bristol,
England,
BS1 5RR
A local history museum focussed on the rich heritage of hops and hop picking in the Bromyard area since the 15th century. The Centre has displays of old photographs, and life-size displays of scenes from the life of hop pickers. There are exhibits of tools and historic implements used in the process of harvesting and processing hops for the brewing process.
Rowberry Street,
Bromyard,
Herefordshire,
England,
HR7 4DU
The local history society for Bromyard and District have created an enjoyable resource for people interested in learning about the heritage of the town and the surrounding area.
5 Sherford Street,
Bromyard,
Herefordshire,
England,
HR7 4DL
When is a musuem not a museum? When it's integrated into the attractions of a shopping mall! The Brooks Experience is a view of life in Medieval and Roman Winchester, free to be enjoyed by shoppers at Winchester's Brooks Shopping Centre.
Brooks Shopping Centre,
Winchester,
Hampshire,
England,
SO23 8QY
The County Museum and Art Gallery is located in the centre of Aylesbury, in mostly 15th century buildings. The museum exhibits focus on the history and unique cultural heritage of the Buckinghamshire area through 8 themed exhibit areas, including Fossils, Celts and Romans, Jewellery, Clay and Brickmaking, Farming, Wood and Woodland, Lacemaking, and Villages of Buckinghamshire. Separate but sharing the same space is the Roald Dahl Childrens Gallery, lots of fun for the lighthearted of all ages.
Church Street,
Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire,
England,
HP20 2QP
An innovative hands-on exploration of the development of the Georgian city of Bath. The museum, which is housed in the historic Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, interprets the architectural heritage of Bath, tracing the personalities and work of the architects and craftsmen responsible for transforming the mediecval core of the city into the elegant Georgian city we can see today. See how classical designs of the Greeks and Romans influenced the style of Georgian Bath, and get an idea of how a house was constructed from bottom to top.
The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel,
The Vineyards, The Paragon Bath,
Somerset,
England,
BA1 5NA
Learn what village life was like on the edge of the Cambridgeshire fens. Early 19th century working windmill, forge, and lots more.
Mill Close,
Burwell,
Cambridgeshire,
England
A small museum of Victorian life, housed in an historic timber-framed medieval cottage. The cottage used to stand on Ledbury's High Street, but was torn down in 1830 to make way for new development. But the bits and pieces of the cottage were kept intact, and in 1979 the entire building was re-erected on its curent site opposite the Ledbury Heritage Centre.
Church Lane,
Ledbury,
Herefordshire,
England,
HR8 1DW
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