Vale & Downland Museum’s extraordinary offering 

Round & About

Lisa Gale, manager of Vale & Downland Museum in Wantage, invites you all to explore this extraordinary local treasure 

Vale and Downland Museum might look like an ordinary building tucked away behind the Market Place on Church Street in Wantage — but step inside and you’ll find it’s anything but ordinary. 

Push open the door and you’ll discover a lively community hub with a cosy coffee shop, helpful tourist information, and the gateway to a fascinating trip back through Wantage’s rich history. Start by watching our short films, narrated by none other than David Attenborough, then wander through a medieval market, pop into Arbury’s department store, or hop on board the Wantage Tramway. 

Bringing the kids? Perfect! There’s loads for families to enjoy — from the model railway and “hook a duck” to fun trail sheets and hands-on activities that keep little ones happy and busy. 

Visiting as a group? We’ve got you covered with guided tours and tasty homemade treats from our café — our team prepares fresh food every day, from tempting cakes to cream teas and hot and cold drinks. No wonder our coffee shop is a favourite spot for locals to catch up. 

School’s out? We’ve got that sorted too! During the summer holidays, we run a mix of ticketed and drop-in activities — think Lego Club, free storytelling sessions, brass rubbing, and creative workshops inspired by our museum objects. This year you can try your hand at clay art, mosaics, animal painting, and more. You can book it all through our website. 

Want to dig deeper into our collection? Try our new digital guide on the Bloomberg Connects app. You can explore the museum on your phone, at home or on the go. The guide includes a warm welcome from our curator Suzie, stories behind the galleries, audio tours, and personal insights from our team and volunteers. 

Behind the scenes, we’re working hard to care for our environment, too. We’ve installed solar panels that now supply over 75% of our energy, switched to LED lighting, and teamed up with Sustainable Wantage and Wild Wantage to host green community events. None of this would be possible without amazing grant support from the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund with the Vale of White Horse District Council, the Climate Action Fund, and others. 

This year we’re celebrating 50 years since Dr Dick Squires and our community turned the old doctor’s surgery into the much-loved museum we have today. To keep the museum thriving for the next 50 years, we’re launching a new fundraising campaign with ways for everyone to get involved, from our 100 Club and Patron’s Scheme to sponsorship opportunities. 

Every bit of support — whether you make a donation, become a member, or simply spread the word — helps us keep this special place alive for generations to come. Thank you!