Museum becomes a charity
After 75 years as part of the Charlbury Society, the Museum has now become a charity in its own right. We are now registered with the Charity Commission as a…
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Charlbury Museum & Heritage Centre 1949 – 2024
75 years collecting and preserving the town’s history
We are now closed for the winter
Thank you to everyone who visited and supported our events this year
We reopen at Easter 2025
Our exhibition in 2025 will look at the history of the Playing Close, how it was used in the past and has changed over the centuries
Welcome to Charlbury Museum. Our five rooms are full of exhibits and information revealing the history of this ancient market town. Through Stone Age arrow heads, the granting of a market charter in 1256, the history of the extensive royal forest of Wychwood, through centuries of farming and the growth of the gloving industry, we tell the story of our streets and buildings and of the people who have lived and worked here through the centuries. As well as items on display, we have a large collection of documents and photographs of Charlbury and its people at work and play.
Towns and communities all need to know the story of their past to foster a sense of belonging and understanding of the place we live in. Small museums can give us glimpse into how people lived their lives in the past, how and why places have changed over the years, and what can be learned from looking at the buildings and environment around us.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers. If you would like to help us in any way, either as a steward when we are open or in any other capacity, we would love to hear from you. Please email
Latest News
On Sunday 25th August, as part of the Charlbury Arts Festival, the museum organised a walk and talk event exploring the history of the Playing Close. A pleasing number… Christopher Bartlett, and his wife Violetta, were famous honey producers who lived and worked in Charlbury. Before the first world war, at the age of 20, he already had over… The revival in 1924 of the tradition of Beating the Bounds of the parish, not held for thirteen years, attracted a large number of people eager to take part. Men,… At Charlbury Museum on Saturday 28th October 2023, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG) presented to the museum a nameplate from a former Great Western Railway High Speed Train. The… Earlier this year, the museum was very fortunate to be given a beautiful antique clock made here in Charlbury by James Street (1799-1836). The longcase clock with its decorative painted…
History of the Playing Close
Christopher Bartlett, Beekeeper
Tradition and Tragedy
Gift of train nameplate
Longcase clock