Athelstan Museum is situated in the heart of the ancient town of Malmesbury. This hill-top site has been occupied since at least the Iron Age period, and the museum displays a large range of items spanning the period from that time up to the present day. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and is a registered charity.
The Museum is named after King Athelstan, first King of all England who is buried in Malmesbury. Much more about Athelstan can be found on our King Athelstan and Athelstan 1100 Exhibition pages.
Some key exhibits are a fine silver penny from the reign of King Athelstan, a hoard of Roman coins, and a watercolour of Malmesbury by J.M.W Turner.
The museum’s collection is on display in the Town Hall building, which can be found facing the Cross Hayes car park in the centre of town. Entry to the Museum is free and donations are welcomed.
The museum also owns the Julia and Hans Rausing Building, a converted Moravian Church, used for special museum events and can also be hired for other purposes.
News
Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury
Our new exhibition opened on 29th April and runs until 30th September 2025.
The Warden and Freemen have played a key role in the history of Malmesbury. We are delighted to host this exhibition that tells their story and their unique, continuing contribution to the town.
Exhibits on display that have been loaned to us, by the Warden and Freemen, have not been seen before outside their own archives.
Come along and discover their story including the origins of the Borough Coat of Arms shown right. Highlights of the exhibition can be seen on our Exhibition page.
OGILBY MAP ON SALE
Copies of the 17th century Ogilby map of the route from Oxford to Bristol are now on sale in the Museum Shop.
To learn more about the significance of this map to Malmesbury have a look at our Roads page.
TURNER 250
2025 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of JMW Turner. Events are planned all over the country as described by the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce9nvl42x2go
Do come and visit our very own Turner painting and read all about it here.
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Our Collection
What’s On
Athelstan Museum
Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury
Rausing Building
The Lost Language of Wiltshire : the everyday speech of Jackdaws and Moonrakers
Rausing Building
History Club for Children aged 6-10yrs
Rausing Building Venue Hire
Our recently refurbished venue, The Julia & Hans Rausing Building (formerly The Moravian Church) is available for hire throughout the year for talks, concerts, workshops, meetings or conferences.
This modern, light and spacious hall provides excellent audio and visual equipment which includes projector, sound (including a loop for the hard of hearing) and variable lighting modes. Tables can be arranged conference, workshop or theatre style for your event. Kitchen facilities are available.