24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
Gateway to Over 3,000 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions
Skip to navigation

Museum Details

Vale and Downland Museum

Image: The Vale and Downland Museum

Vale and Downland Museum
The Old Surgery
Church Street
Wantage
OX12 8BL
Oxfordshire
England

Collection details
Archaeology
Archives
Coins and Medals
Costume and Textiles
Land Transport
Religion
Science and Technology
Social History
Trade and Commerce
Weapons and War

Facilities

Food: yes
Shop: yes
Baby changing facilities: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Hearing disability facilities: yes

Public car park (pay and display) by Civic Hall, about 5 minutes walk away. Buses from Oxford and other nearby towns and villages stop in the Market Place, about 3 minutes walk away. Museum is signed from car park and Market Place via finger-posts.
The Museum has another site, Lains Barn, at Ardington, just outside Wantage. This is used for functions, including civil weddings and receptions.

Contact details
General enquiries and administration (Tel) : 01235 771447
Tourist information (Tel) : 01235 760176
General information (Fax) : 01235 760991
general queries : museum@wantage.com
curator : curator@wantage.com
tourist information : tourism@wantage.com
Website : www.wantage.com/museum

Open
Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00
Closed on Bank Holidays and Sundays except for private bookings at £15 per hour.

Closed
Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays
except for occasional special events and private bookings

Admission charges
Entry to the main galleries is by Admission Ticket
Annual tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of issue

£2.50 adult annual
£2.00 adult concessionary annual
(state pensioners & registered disabled)
£1.00 young person annual
(ages 4 to 25 in fulltime education)
£7.00 family annual (2 adults and up to 5 children)
Pre-school children are free

Description
The Vale and Downland Museum and Visitor Centre
is located in the busy market town of Wantage in Oxfordshire, UK. The museum has been nationally acclaimed as an outstanding example of community partnership. It was runner up in Tourism South East's small visitor attraction awards for 2004. The range of services is very broad, ranging from galleries interpreting the cultural heritage Vale of the White Horse region, to a cafe with a delightful terrace and garden. It also acts as a springboard for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside around Wantage.

Collections description
Archaeology, social history, interactive relief map of the hinterland, specially produced films on the area narrated by David Attenborough, Wantage Tramway exhibit, rural arts and crafts, tanning and cloth making exhibits, agricultural machinery, Dean Butler and the Oxford Movement, Williams F1 racing car, discovery gallery for children.

Articles
Vale And Downland Museum Remembers Local Oxford Canal Heyday
The Fascinating History Of Basketmaking In Oxfordshire
Vale & Downland Museum Launches Jubilee Appeal
Berkshire Barns Explored At The Vale And Downland Museum
How Have Museums And Heritage Sites Responded To Gift Aid?
Museum Visitors To Reap Benefits Of New Gift Aid Rules
Things To Do Over Christmas In Museums And Galleries In The South East

Events
Ceramics by Roger Price - a place where art and science can meet  Exhibition (temporary)
A Gift to Delight - an exhibition of quality prints, paintings and crafts  Exhibition (temporary)
From Felt to Stitch - bags and more by Ruth Howard, Simone Hunter and Jan Osbourne  Exhibition (temporary)

General Information
Brochure or leaflet available with directions to museum
Pre-booking service for groups
Foreign language leaflet or brochure available
Information point provided Collections
Specialist publications on collections available
Object identification and/or written enquiry service
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance) Disability Access
Induction loops in lecture theatres
Large print information and/or interpretation
Parking for disabled available
Toilets for disabled
Touch exhibits and/or handling sessions
Wheelchair access to some public areas
Wheelchairs available for loan Children and Families
Baby changing facilities
Children's play area
Events and resources for children and families
Picnic area General Education
Academic publications and resources available
Adult lectures and courses held
Education facilities available
Member of staff available with responsibility for education Schools Education
Primary school education service available Facilities
Auditorium
Cafeteria
Facilities for private functions and events
Library
Meeting room available
Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Picnic area
Refreshments
Research facilities for academics
Restaurant
Shop Search this site

Advanced Search
Map Search

Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version

Skip to body

Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Skip to navigation
Go to top