City Museum
About the City Museum
Situated in the centre of Winchester between the High Street and the Cathedral, the Museum tells the story of the city through display of its extensive archaeological and local history collections.
These vividly illustrate Winchester's pre-historic origins, its emergence as the fifth largest town of Roman Britain, and its development under Alfred the Great as capital of Wessex and of the Anglo-Norman kingdom.
Its decline in the later Middle Ages began with the creation of a new centre of government at Westminster in London, and was hastened by the Black Death in the 14th century and the Dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII.
A revival of fortunes began with renewed royal interest in the 17th century when Charles II built a palace in the city, enhancing Winchester's reputation as a fashionable market town.
The origins of the City's role as a local shopping centre and tourist destination in the 19th century are well demonstrated by displays and reconstructions of Victorian and Edwardian shops on the ground floor of the Museum.
Period costumes on the Saxon floor. See the Winchester Saxon hanging bowl on dislay.
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Opening Times
April to October:
Monday -Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm
November to March:
Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm
Tel. 01962 863 064
Map and Access Points for Winchester Museums
Admission
Free (School parties should be booked in advance)
Good Disabled Access - Level access from the street and an accessible toilet.
All parts of the museum are accessible with a lift to the upper floors.(Please call to confirm that the lift is working on the morning that you intend to visit)
Guide dogs are welcome.
There is a hearing loop.
Staff are well informed and friendly.
Small gift shop reflecting its collections.
Find out more about the new stock on sale at the City Museum, Winchester
Facilities
Baby-changing facilities
Children's quizzes
Family hands-on activities. You can also download the printed edition of Family fun leaflet (PDF 1Mb) and the Under 5s Guide to the Galleries (PDF 1.5Mb)
Audio Guide telling the story of Winchester. Available in French and Spanish as well as English. The guide costs £2 for adults and is free for under 16s.There is also an audio guide with numbers in Braille and an induction loop in the information gallery.
Take a look at a short video created by the University of Winchester media students promoting this very museum.
Don't take our word for it, a recent quote from a very satisfied customer:
Duing a recent visit to your area I had but a few hours to visit and view the history of Winchester. Having purchased a walk guide from your information centre I undertook to follow all the guide, taking in the museums along the way.
My experience was most rewarding and informative. Your service is to be congratulated on the very high standards of presentation of exhibits and the friendliness and efficiency of staff.
The museums are very well arranged with information readily available and easily understood. The "timeline" approach to presentation of the exhibits works extremely well. As a retired schoolmaster I was impressed with the hands on experiences provided for children.
The walk guide was easy to follow and drew attention to detail that could otherwise be missed.
Thank you for a most enjoyable day. I shall recommend your services to any likely visitors and shall return to Winchester when the opportunity arises.
Peter Hallam
Latest Updates:
Film - Winchester City Museum - where history comes alive!
Students at the University of Winchester have created this advert for the City Museum in Winchester.
04/03/2010
Educational Visits and Information
Winchester Museums’ sites offer hands-on and fun learning opportunities for schools. They are ideal venues for learning outside the classroom.
02/07/2009
Take a virtual tour of the City Museum
Virtual tours of all three floors
12/03/2009
In this section:
History of Hampshire & Isle of Wight in ten objects
The list of 10 objects is part of the wider A History of the World project formed out of a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.
15/02/2010
Gallery of Paintings for Art Fostering
17/09/2009
Museum Art Fostering Scheme
Here's your chance to hang one of Winchester Museums’ topographical art and portrait collection in your office.
16/09/2009
Memories of Winchester
Photographs of shops, then and now
17/08/2009
Museum Volunteers
Become a museum volunteer. Learn more about the heritage of Winchester and the District
19/08/2008
Media Centre:
History of Hampshire & Isle of Wight in ten objects
BBC Radio Solent and museums across the county have revealed the list of 10 objects they have chosen to tell a history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
19/01/2010
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Related Items:
Become a Business Partner of Winchester Museums
Winchester Museums welcomes the opportunity to work with the local business community.
13/02/2007
Map and Access Points for Winchester Museums
Opening hours, maps and disabled access for Winchester's Museum sites.
24/07/2006
Roman Winchester |
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The Victorians in Winchester |
