The Willis Museum & Sainsbury gallery

The Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
Old Town Hall
Market Place
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG21 7QD
England

Website

www.hants.gov.uk/willis-museum

E-mail

musmst@hants.gov.uk

Telephone

01256 465 902

Fax

01256 471 455

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.

Founded by Mr. Willis, a local watch and clock-maker the Willis Museum looks at the last 200 years of Basingstoke and the surrounding area.

Venue Type:

Museum

Opening hours

Tues- Fri 10.00 - 17.00
Sat 10.00 - 16.00

Closed: Sun
Bank Holidays

Admission charges

Admission Free

Additional info

Public car parks within 5 mins.

Travel back in time, and experience some of the major changes that have created the Basingstoke that we know today. Contrast the present with the past, the rich with the poor. Meet Pickaxe, a 19th century farm worker forced to scrape a living from the streets of Basingstoke as a scavenger. Walk into a 1960s sitting room and kitchen and transport yourself back to the days of teddy boys and twin tubs. Beneath our Feet: Discover Basingstoke and Deane's rich archaeological heritage including the unusual Iron Age burial found at Viables, Fred the Roman skeleton and reconstructions of nationally important Saxon buildings at Cowderys Down. Local History: Dig deeper into your town's past in the local studies room - easily accessible old photographs, maps, postcards and much more.

Collection details

Archaeology, Archives, Natural Sciences, Social History

Exhibition details are listed below, you may need to scroll down to see them all.

Alencon Lace

18 May — 25 June 2013 *on now

Since the 16th century, Basingstoke s French twin town Alençon has been home to fine lace-making. Made with needles, the Point d Alençon requires a high level of skills and craftsmanship as making just one square centimetre of lace takes up to seven hours. This exhibition at the Willis Museum provides the opportunity to discover the technique behind the Point d Alençon and to admire unique original pieces. On Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June 2013, two of the seven lace-makers who are the only ones in the wolrd who possess the production technique for the Point d Alençon will be at the Museum to show how Alençon lace is made.
This unique exhibition is brought to you by the Ville d Alençon, the Alençon-Basingstoke Twinning Association and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Thanks to: Ville d Alençon Service Communication

Admission

Free

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

18 May — 27 July 2013 *on now

This world-reknowned annual exhibition provides a spotlight on the rarely-seen wonders of the natural world. All 100 winning and commended images of the 2012 Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition are displayed, selected from thousands of international entries by a panel of expert judges.

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide and is sponsored by Veolia Environnement.

Admission

Free

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

18 May — 27 July 2013 *on now

Suitable for

Admission

Free

Website

http://www.hants.gov.uk/willis-museum

Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.

Creatures Great & Small

28 May — 1 June 2013

Visit our Archaeology Gallery on the top floor for Creatures Great & Small a special range of activities for young visitors and their families all about UK wildlife.

Admission

Free, but a £1 donation would be appreciated.

Creatures Great & Small

28 May — 1 June 2013

Visit our Archaeology Gallery on the top floor for Creatures Great & Small a special range of activities for young visitors and their families all about UK wildlife.