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
MALMESBURY IN WORLD WAR TWO EXHIBITION
30th September 2025 to 23rd March 2026
To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two our exhibition features the many aspects of the war which affected everyday life in wartime Malmesbury.
Exhibits cover rationing, civil defence, evacuees, prisoners of war and much more. Items are from our own collection or loaned by local contributors. All shed a light on how World War Two affected the lives of the townsfolk of Malmesbury.
ROMAN TILE DISPLAY
We are excited to have a new exhibition of a group of Roman clay tiles found in Minety. This was a large production centre for the area.
We are grateful to Peter Lavery for the loan of the tiles uncovered during the archaeological excavations managed by Cotswold Archaeology over the past three years.
According to experts the three kilns that were found were crucial in the building of Roman Cirencester (Corinium).
Our Collection
What’s On
Athelstan Museum
Malmesbury and World War Two
Rausing Building
Annual General Meeting
Rausing Building
Lace Making Workshop
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.