Athelstan Museum
The Town Hall
Cross Hayes
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9BZ
England
Website
Telephone
Museum
01666 829258
Website Admin
01666 829258
Malmesbury is a beautiful hilltop town on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, built to a Saxon road plan round a Norman abbey. Archaeological digs have shown there was a Neolithic fort here around 2,500 BC - people have lived here for four and a half thousand years, so Malmesbury may be the oldest town in the country.
This small local museum has an interesting tale to tell, full of lots of fascinating people: Athelstan, first king of all England; Eilmer, our flying monk of a thousand years ago; Thomas Hobbes, the famous philosopher; Walter Powell, the M.P. who vanished at sea in a hot air balloon - and lots more.
Artefacts on display include bicycles, a Roman coffin, wonderful pictures of the area and our renowned Malmesbury lace collection.
Venue Type:
Museum
The Town Hall
Cross Hayes
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9BZ
England
Website
Telephone
Museum
01666 829258
Website Admin
01666 829258
The Athelstan Museum is noted for its costume collection and exhibition of Malmesbury Lace and lace making.
Collection details
Archaeology, Archives, Coins and Medals, Fine Art, Land Transport, Medicine, Music, Personalities, Science and Technology, Social History, Toys and Hobbies, Industry, Trade and Commerce, Costume and Textiles
Key artists and exhibits
- Malmesbury Lace
- Bikes
- Coins
- Fire Engine
- Posted Frame Clock
- Tom Girtin Drawing
- Robin Tanner
- Images of Malmesbury
- Aldhelm
- St. Aldhelm
- St Lullus
- John Scotus
- Athelstan - First King of All England
- Eilmer
- William of Malmesbury
- William Stumpe
- Thomas Hobbes
- Hannah Twynnoy
- Charles James Fox
- Joseph Addison
- Walter Powell
- Richard Hatchwell
Collections services
- Public access available to collections information
The Town Hall
Cross Hayes
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 9BZ
England
Website
Telephone
Museum
01666 829258
Website Admin
01666 829258
Getting there
Malmesbury is situated just five miles north of Junction 17 of the M4 motorway. The museum is located within the Town Hall to the rear of the Tourist Information Centre, at the northern edge of the Cross Hayes short stay car park.
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