Athelstan Museum

Capturing the history of Malmesbury

Plan your visit

Entrance to the museum is free!

Donations are most welcome, as the museum does not receive government funding. You can also help by feeding our TYGER, when you visit the museum, put a coin in his mouth and he will roar! Children will also enjoy counting the many tigers hiding around the museum.

Normal opening hours:
The Museum is open 6 days a week:
Tuesday – Friday from 10.30am – 4.30pm,
Saturday from 10.30am – 4.00pm,
Sunday 11.30 am – 3.30pm.
Closed on Monday.

Children aged 16 and under must be
accompanied by an adult.
Dogs on a lead are allowed in the museum.

Accessibility

Our museum welcomes all visitors. There is a wheelchair lift to the mezzanine floor and a wheelchair is available. Disabled toilets are near by. 

How to find us

Malmesbury is situated just off the A429, five miles north of M4 junction 17, Postcode SN16 9BZ. The museum is in the Town Hall, by the Cross Hayes short stay car park in the centre of town. There is disabled parking at the near end of the car park.

The museum is located within Malmesbury Town Hall, and is accessed through the Tourist Information Centre. 

The Town Hall also contains a Café, a small local art gallery and public toilets.

Inside the Museum

Entering the museum is through the large archway. The volunteers’ desk is in front of you. If you have any questions please talk to one of the volunteers.

We are able to discuss making an appointment to view items not currently on display, e.g. for research purposes. Please contact us at: info@athelstanmuseum.org.uk


Immediately in front of you is a large topographical model of the town. This overview illustrates what an ideal place Malmesbury was to fortify. There are buttons to press that show the location of key features in the town, and if you are new to the town it will help you orientate yourself.

The museum is laid out around a time line which links Malmesbury with national and global events.

DOWNSTAIRS
Don’t miss the archaeological drawers nor the Romano British coffin which can be found underneath the topographical model of Malmesbury.
There are features of Iron Age Malmesbury, the Saxon influences and especially  King Athelstan who had a soft spot for the town and its Abbey. Find out about Eilmer the flying monk and Walter Powell the ill-fated balloonist and MP for Malmesbury; learn about Thomas Hobbes the famed philosopher; look at our Roman Coin hoard and see this impressive collection of 1266 roman coins found locally.

MEZZANINE FLOOR
After that go upstairs and enjoy the wonderful Turner painting of Malmesbury Abbey, and
listen to the award winning collection of Malmesbury Voices by local people talking about life in the past. Then go to the touch screen for a detailed explanation of the enlarged copy of the Bird’s Eye View painting of Malmesbury surrounded by it walls, painted c1646. Check out the Victorian Penny Farthing bicycle as well the hand driven, foot steered Tricycle.

Upstairs you can also find a small children’s area where activity sheets and crayons are provided.

The mezzanine floor is used to present temporary exhibitions with specific local themes. These change from time to time. Look out for information on our What’s On page.

The museum shop


While you are visiting our museum we hope you will enjoy browsing our shop, and find something to buy as a memento of your visit.


The shop sells many books relating to the long and varied history of the town and these can also be ordered online.

Other places to visit

Explore Malmesbury is an interactive website ideal for use on a mobile phone that tells Malmesbury’s stories at the places they happened. People have lived on this hilltop for over 2,800 years and we have a lot to share!

Follow a themed trail, enjoy an immersive Explore! tour or make up your own self-guided journey.


Keep in touch with everything that’s going on in Malmesbury via the Discover Malmesbury website.

Opening Times

The Museum is open 6 days a week:
Tuesday – Friday from 10.30am – 4.30pm,
Saturday from 10.30am – 4.00pm,
Sunday 11.30 am – 3.30pm.
Closed on Monday.

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Charles James Fox

Charles James Fox, 1749 – 1806, seems to have been a larger than life character. His father, who eloped with Lady Caroline Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond was addicted to gambling but in spite of this amassed a large fortune as Paymaster General to the forces. He spoilt his son, Charles, and actively encouraged him in gambling and debauchery.

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John Scotus

William of Malmesbury records that In the late 9th century a monk – John Scotus – came to Malmesbury. He was a teacher but apparently held controversial religious views.

He was stabbed to death by his pupils with their styli; but whether it was the knives used to cut the quills or the containers for the quills is not clear. Neither is the reason for his murder. Was it the controversial theology or did he set too much homework? It may comfort teachers today to know that it has never been an easy profession.

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Hannah Twynnoy

Three centuries have passed since the shocking death of a young woman in Malmesbury, yet Hannah Twynnoy is remembered here in Malmesbury each day. Walk through Malmesbury Abbey Churchyard with the Market Cross behind you and you will see to the right Hannah’s small headstone with the sad epitaph:

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Turner Painting

The artist simply known the world over as ‘Turner’ needs no introduction. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented artists this country has produced. His connection to Malmesbury is not so widely known but in fact he visited the town three times, first in 1791 aged just 16, and made several sketches of the Abbey and its setting above the Avon.

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