Bradford on Avon Museum

Bradford on Avon Museum Society was founded in 1986, initially in order to preserve the contents of the old Christopher pharmacy. It is a trust that is registered with the Charities Commission and a company limited by guarantee.

Its aims are to collect, preserve, research, display and educate the public about the human and natural history of the town and the area of the former Hundred of Bradford.

Our vision is to explore, understand and share the rich heritage of the Bradford Hundred with its community and with visitors.

Our Mission Statement: To provide an environment that ensures the long-term sustainability of the Museum by:

• Continuing to attract and cultivate scholarship and expertise and promoting innovation
• Encouraging and developing the activities of the Museum’s interest groups, increasing knowledge, participation and creativity
• Interpreting and continuously developing the Museum’s collection and displaying it in am engaging and accessible way
• Engaging in educational projects which share the history and knowledge of the Bradford Hundred
• Seeking collaboration with other organisations to promote and enhance the work of the Museum and benefit the community
• Organising and promoting a broad programme of events, special exhibitions, conferences, talks and activities

After four years of fund-raising and discussions the Museum opened in its present premises in Bradford on Avon’s new library in September 1990. The space is leased from Wiltshire Council, however the Museum is entirely independent of local government and is staffed exclusively by volunteers.

Its funding comes from the subscriptions of Museum Society members, the donations of visitors and occasional grants from Bradford on Avon Town Council, Wiltshire Council, charitable trusts and government agencies.

Bursledon Windmill

Bursledon Windmill is Hampshire’s only working windmill. Built in 1814, it was restored and reopened in 1990 as a working windmill and heritage visitor attraction.

Other buildings on the site include the Chineham Barn, rescued from demolition, which houses the ticket office and other visitor facilities. The Hiltingbury Granary is an 18th century farm building, which stores the grain. The pond, to water the farmers horses, has been re-dug in its original location.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1860 as the centre for scientific study at the University of Oxford, the Museum of Natural History now holds the University’s internationally significant collections of geological and zoological specimens. Housed in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture, the Museum’s growing collections underpin a broad programme of natural environment research, teaching and public engagement. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the Dodo, and the swifts in the tower.

Curtis Museum

One of the finest local history collections in Hampshire, exploring 100 million years of history Displays include prehistoric tools, Roman pottery reconstruction, Saxon burials, the Battle of Alton 1643, the notorious tale of Sweet Fanny Adams and hop picking and brewing.

Eastleigh Museum

Discover Eastleigh’s past, and meet Mr and Mrs Brown a local locomotive engine driver and his wife. There is always something new to see with a regularly changing programme of special exhibitions, workshops, talks and events, plus Family Friendly activities, cafe, and gifts.

Andover Museum

THE MUSEUM IS A FORMER TOWN HOUSE C1750, LATER THE ANDOVER GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Andover from prehistoric times to the present day. Enjoy an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, including art, craft, photography, history and more… visit the museum and then relax in our coffee shop.

NATURAL HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Dioramas, woolly mammoth bones, stone tools and local fossils. Archaeological finds include a Bronze age hoard and Saxon grave goods. Discover the legendary Cockatrice and see a rare Medieval ivory figurine of the Virgin and Child.

AN AGE OF IMPROVEMENT?

Industries such as banking and brewing flourished, making some families prosperous, meanwhile the chronic shortage of work led to riots and swift punishment, as illustrated by our town stocks. Be prepared if you open the cupboard.

FROM VICTORIA TO ELIZABETH II

The 1846 scandal of the Andover Workhouse and the history of Weyhill sheep Fair are just two of the subjects covered, including including Tasker’s Ironworks of Anna Valley. The Shop window has changing displays of objects.

MUSEUM OF THE IRON AGE

In the same building, the Museum of the Iron Age tells the story of Danebury hill fort which lies to the south west of Andover. The hill fort is one of the best studied sites of the British Iron Age.

Gosport Discovery Centre

Gosport Discovery Centre building works

During the period of May – July 2018 building works at Gosport Discovery Centre will commence to transition into a Community Hub. We will therefore have reduced space and will be unable to take new room bookings during this period.

University of Bristol Theatre Collection

Founded in 1951 to serve the first UK university drama department, our collections cover the period from 1572 to the 21st century and our visitors include everyone from international scholars to family historians.

Since 1951, the University of Bristol Theatre Collection has expanded to become a fully accredited museum and theatrical research centre. It also continues to serve its original purpose as a research resource for the members of the University of Bristol and the Bristol community.

Acquisitions

Our acquisition policy focuses on British theatre history, with particular strengths of theatre in the South West, nineteenth-century theatre, Post-Second World War theatre, live art and performance art, scenery and costume design, and other related artwork.

The development of our collections has been dependent on the generosity of others, with a large proportion of the holdings coming from donations and bequests from enthusiasts and professionals who share the desire to preserve a record of theatre in Britain.

The Theatre Collection as a museum

Refurbishment in 1998 improved accessibility, study and storage conditions and in 2001 the Theatre Collection was awarded full Registered Museum status by the Museums and Galleries Commission.

In 2009 it was awarded full Accredited Museum status by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. A major cataloguing programme has computerised information of over 100,000 items. The Theatre Collection was also involved in Backstage, a collaborative project to provide a theatre gateway on the Internet, and the digitisation of images for online access.

Red House Museum and Garden

A charming Georgian building, built as a workhouse in 1764, now filled with a rich variety of displays and a regular and varied exhibitions programme.  The museum is a great place to visit with our expanded shop, cafe and 3 gardens.  The Red House is also available for hire for events, parties, meetings and activities.  We have a range of spaces suitable for most needs.

Step into a bygone age and experience the charm and harsh reality of life in the workhouse when children worked from dawn to dusk making watch parts.

Find unusual presents in our shop. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in our cosy coffee area or outside in the sunny courtyard and beautiful walled Herb Garden.

Relax in the aromatic walled Herb Garden featuring herbs and old-fashioned roses, and stroll through the woodland walk in the tranquil South Garden.

The Cowper and Newton Museum

Welcome to Orchard Side house, which from 1768 to 1786 was the home  of William Cowper, renowned 18th century poet.  Walk back in time through rooms featuring numerous personal artefacts and belongings.  Discover William’s comic sense of humour, the highs and lows in his life and his love of gardening and animals  – especially his pet hares.

Discover how his friend John Newton’s life and personal experience inspired him to write the world’s most famous hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ here in Olney.  Find out about his time as a slave ship captain, as a captive himself; how he became curate of the parish church, his involvement in the abolition of slavery and his spiritual influence on William Wilberforce.