Opening Hours
Our ‘core’ opening hours are:
Summer (March – September incl.)
1.00pm – 4.00pm (Weekdays)
11.00am – 4.00pm (Weekends)
Winter (October – February incl.)
11.00am – 3.00pm (Sat, Sun, Mon)
You are welcome to spend time in the wonderful unspoiled seventeenth century building that is Tewkesbury Museum. Discover Tewkesbury’s rich and diverse history through a collection which ranges from Roman remains through to wartime austerity. Learn about notable Tewkesbury people like Antarctic explorer Raymond Priestley. Study the magnificent diorama of the Battle of Tewkesbury and the unique fairground model.
The building itself is a time capsule. Restored by Abbey restorer Thomas Collins in the nineteenth century and donated to the town as a Museum by an ‘anonymous gentleman’ in the twentieth, it is unique, full of original features, eclectic and eccentric.
The Museum is very child-friendly, with activities to keep them absorbed for hours. Because of its age the building is not disabled-friendly, though the staff are and will do everything they can to help.
As a small independent museum we offer local knowledge, local research and a fascinating glimpse into times gone by.
We’re often open outside our core hours; it’s worth a look to see if we are open.
We also do our best to open for individuals or groups outside these hours, by special arrangement.
Allow at least an hour for a visit
Facebook Posts
Coming soon, Volunteers Week, national recognition of the importance of volunteering to the community. Tewkesbury Museum will be holding Volunteers Day - possibly days - to publicise volunteering opportunities at the museum. Watch this space. But, no need to wait. You can call in during opening hours or contact us, facebook@tewkesburymuseum.org, and we will be very happy to meet you to see how you can help to run this local gem.
Not a steam iron but a coal iron. Hot coals were placed in the box to warm the heavy iron base. Not the chimney to allow, presumably, smoke to escape. Made by Kendricks of West Bromwich in second half of 19th century. Very heavy.
Last of the Sunday alley strolls. Next month they will be on Wednesday evenings.
Tewkesbury museum is on the scrounge. We have two steel plant troughs on our street front which are badly corroded. Does anyone have a couple of metal troughs they don't need, either free or very cheap. The existing ones are approx 24" 11" x 11", but we have room for larger ones. Can collect.
We ask for metal, or maybe wood, to compliment the appearance of our 17th century building. We would prefer one that could be wall hung, as at present.
Thanks in advance.
A good week at Tewkesbury museum.
We had lots of visitors: children keen to do the chick hunt, adults in Tewkesbury for the weekend keen to learn about the history of the town, locals catching up on the progress of the fairground restoration. Lots of interest in the battle and floods too.
Very welcome was Paul from Gloucester, who when a boy in Southampton lived next door to A E Salt, creator of the fairground models. Paul was very young and can't remember much other than the models and a tortoise! But he will ask his Dad.
We were particularly pleased to meet a party from Prior's Park Neighbourhood Project and Greenspace, learning photography.
Volunteer Andrew came in to photograph more of the historic property deeds and other documents held in the museum, including a beautifully handwritten Indenture from the 17th Century.
And on a more mundane, but essential, level, the floors were swept, and the furniture polished. Tea and coffee was drunk, and "fairings" eaten. (Thanks Julie)
All made possible by the efforts of our team of volunteers. We are always looking for more helpers, to meet our guests, maintain the museum, research, record and present the town's history. If you'd like to know more, please get in touch.
