Thornbury & District Museum

We're just a small museum and don't have room for a caf but there are plenty of pubs and cafs and restaurants nearby. Our friendly volunteers can advise you. There are no public toilets in the museum itself but toilets in the Armstrong Hall complex next to the museum are available for public use, as part of the Thornbury Community Toilet Scheme.

Our museum is a former cottage, with fairly small rooms, so access isn't as easy everywhere as we would like. There is level access at the front entrance into our Reception area and Bookshop and into the hall and the room telling the story of the Thornbury Roman Coin Hoard.

There is a downstairs computer which gives access to rolling slide shows of the history of Thornbury and district, as well as to our sister website, Thornbury Roots, where you can explore local and family history.Downstairs, there are Browsing Files containing information on many aspects of Thornbury history.

The core of the museum at that time was a collection amassed by local Oldbury resident Mary Bruton, pictured here at the age of 20. She had a passion for collecting items of local historical interest. Since then, the collection has expanded, thanks to the interest and generosity of our local community.

We like to think the relationship between the museum and the local community is a two-way one. It's great when you come in with information, share what you know, maybe show us your local historical photos. Some people have worked on exhibitions with us. Many, many people contribute time, friendship and ideas.

Our collection includes objects, documents, photographs and digital images, which all help to tell the story of Thornbury and the surrounding villages. Some of the collection is in store here in the museum. Items from the store are used for exhibitions and can also be accessed, by arrangement, for research.