Thanks to significant grant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Art Fund, the museum has been able to purchase a fine watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey by J M W Turner. Our recently refurbished venue, The Julia & Han Rausing Building (formerly The Moravian Church) is available for hire throughout the year for talks, concerts, workshops, meetings or conferences.
School visits can be tailor made in discussion with teachers to suit the age group and number of children visiting. Group visits (eg Brownies, Clubs, UA3, Nadfas, exchange students) can be tailor made to your groups requirements. Hannah Twynnoy is possibly the first person to be killed by a tiger in England, but why was this possible?
School visits can be tailor made in discussion with teachers to suit the age group and number of children visiting. Group visits (eg Brownies, Clubs, UA3, Nadfas, exchange students) can be tailor made to your groups requirements. Hannah Twynnoy is possibly the first person to be killed by a tiger in England, but why was this possible?
Services
Friends of Athelstan Museum rely heavily on donations to allow us to continue our invaluable work in the community and surrounding villages. After that you are then given an option to page via Paypal or Debit/Credit card if you do not have a Paypal account. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify.
We have many lovely things for sale in our shop located in the reception area. Our policy is to purchase from local authors and artists where possible. There is a wide range of local history books, greetings cards, postcards, gifts including bags, jewellery, and children's items which are constantly being updated.
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 seats up to 80 people on comfortable chairs. The excellent audio-visual equipment includes projector, sound and lighting.
The collection was originally housed in the Town Hall and could be viewed by appointment. Although Malmesbury Borough Council was not an authority empowered to run museums it grew under their care. The Gloucester Street premises were quickly deemed to be unsafe and in imminent danger of collapse (they are still standing) and so early in 1979 the museum moved back to the Town Hall.
Friends of Athelstan Museum started life in 1981 as a supporters' club for the museum. Very quickly we became known as FOAM or 'froth' or even 'Bubbles' to our more frivolous friends. Right from the word go we had four main objectives; to enjoy ourselves; to learn more of history and especially local history; to publicise and support the museum and to raise funds to buy things for the collection.
Reviews (12)
Mark Poley
Nov 14, 2021
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M. H.
Oct 23, 2021
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Jack Baxter
Jul 08, 2021
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Susan W.
Jun 24, 2021
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Fabulous museum and the volunteers go above and beyond to be super helpful! We went there to find the book on the Malmesbury witches and had fantastic help to get it. We also wanted to see the Turner painting which did not disappoint! It's a beautiful area of England with some fascinating history, which the museum portrays excellently. Thank you to the volunteers!
Clare Morris
Apr 28, 2021
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Rafa
Nov 13, 2020
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This is a fantastic place run by volunteers, the best place to learn about history of Malmesbury. Whether you are a local or a visitor this is the most comprehensive source of information. A small museum packed packed with objects and interesting stories. It's best asset is the staff, passionate about the town's history and always happy to share their vast knowledge.
Martin Ralls
Jan 03, 2020
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Helena Jaeschke
Sep 02, 2019
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Nicely laid-out museum of local history, interesting people and trades from lace to lineoleum, not to mention radar. Friendly welcome, lots of little interactives, study area. Don't forget to feed the tiger after following the tiger trail (he roars). Art gallery, cafe with enticing cakes, toilets all in the same building and parking right outside (if you're early or patient). What more can you ask? The town is beautiful and worth investigating, including the Abbey next door, so it's worth parking in the Long Stay Car Park - signposted from the centre - and taking the short walk up from the river
Sue Savine
Feb 14, 2019
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Very interesting, but would like to see a bit more of industrial heritage in Malmesbury, like the Railway. I got asked the other day why "Station Yard" was called that ? The people were shocked to know that was site of station. The Abbey of course is famouse and very ancient history, but history of bussiness, shops, people, a bit more from say… 1930's to now would be nice, perhaps as its such a little museum, just a changing display of photos on flick boards would work, e.g. Malmesbury's Railway. We are very lucky to have this Museum in Malmesbury, and i love popping in.
Amanda Tarren
Sep 04, 2018
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Tracey Armstrong
Sep 04, 2018
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Lovely little museum that has a tourist information board in the same building, that both have lots of relevant information & facts displayed about this very historic area, the museum itself has all the facts & details clearly marked in stages clearly written to gain a much better understanding of the relevant history this place has to offer, there is a little gift shop inside too.
Marie Clare Brind
Apr 11, 2017
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