History

Free guided tours every Wednesday and Saturday

Normal opening hours:
The Museum is open 6 days a week:
Tuesday – Friday from 10.30am – 4.30pm,
Saturday from 10.30am – 4.00pm,
Sunday 11.30 am – 3.30pm.
Closed on Monday.

Children aged 16 and under must be
accompanied by an adult.
Dogs on a lead are allowed in the museum.

Events at Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury Town Hall and the Rausing Building, Oxford Street

Normal opening hours:
The Museum is open 6 days a week:
Tuesday – Friday from 10.30am – 4.30pm,
Saturday from 10.30am – 4.00pm,
Sunday 11.30 am – 3.30pm.
Closed on Monday.

Children aged 16 and under must be
accompanied by an adult.
Dogs on a lead are allowed in the museum.

What's On at Athelstan Museum and the Rausing Building

In 1672 fourteen Malmesbury residents were accused of witchcraft. Why, and what happened next?

Tickets and more information also available from the Town and Tourist Information Centre at Malmesbury Town Hall (T: 01666822143) or turn up. (Pre-booking is advisable to avoid disappointment). £7.00 Adults and £3.50 children. All Guided Walks Around Malmesbury start at Malmesbury Town Hall unless otherwise stated.

 Free interactive workshops for children aged 4-11  

All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Donations welcomed 

Events at Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury Town Hall and the Rausing Building, Oxford Street

Normal opening hours:
The Museum is open 6 days a week:
Tuesday – Friday from 10.30am – 4.30pm,
Saturday from 10.30am – 4.00pm,
Sunday 11.30 am – 3.30pm.
Closed on Monday.

Children aged 16 and under must be
accompanied by an adult.
Dogs on a lead are allowed in the museum.

Join author and Malmesbury resident Paul Fox as he takes on the mantle of King Athelstan to lead a whistle stop tour through time and across Malmesbury to grasp how Athelstan formed the English nation in 927.

You will hear about events dating back more than 20,000 years covering geology, climate change, and waves and waves of migration and invasion leading up 12th July 927, when Athelstan was able to bind together a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural people into a single country. Athelstan chose to be buried in Malmesbury and the route Pail will take us on will provide the perfect atmospheric backdrop to this remarkable story.

Tickets and more information also available from the Town and Tourist Information Centre at Malmesbury Town Hall (T: 01666822143) or turn up. (Pre-booking is advisable to avoid disappointment). £7.00 Adults and £3.50 children. All Guided Walks Around Malmesbury start at Malmesbury Town Hall unless otherwise stated.

Wessex Week is a celebration of the region’s history and culture through the centuries, with a particular emphasis on Malmesbury and the Anglo-Saxon period

What happened after Henry VIII sold the Abbey? A guided walk with Campbell Ritchie Join guide Campbell Ritchie on an entertaining walk across Malmesbury's town centre that will provide an insight into Malmesbury's unique history. (90 minutes)

10.30 -12pm  Meet at the Town Hall   

Supper at The Old Bell followed by a talk by Tony McAleavy

After many centuries of occupation the Benedictine monks of Malmesbury were evicted in December 1539.

Tony tells the colourful story of the last few decades of monastic life and addresses the question: was the community in a state of terminal decline in the lead up to the Dissolution? He will set out to show that, although some of the last monks were badly behaved and  ill-suited to a religious life, many others were highly conscientious and dedicated to their monastic calling.

Follow the ticket link for menu details.

Talk by Tony McAleavy

After many centuries of occupation the Benedictine monks of Malmesbury were evicted in December 1539.

Tony tells the colourful story of the last few decades of monastic life and addresses the question: was the community in a state of terminal decline in the lead up to the Dissolution? He will set out to show that, although some of the last monks were badly behaved and  ill-suited to a religious life, many others were highly conscientious and dedicated to their monastic calling.