Clock face c1770s
This beautiful brass clock face was made in Charlbury by Thomas Gilkes and probably dates to the 1770s. It is engraved with a simple foliate design and is signed ‘Gilkes,…
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Charlbury Museum & Heritage Centre
We are now open until 25 October
Our opening hours are: Saturdays 10.30 – 12.30 & 2.30 – 4.30 Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays 2.30 – 4.30
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
Charlbury Museum inspires the Charlbury Youth Art Group
The museum was pleased to work with the Charlbury Art Society and their Youth Art Group earlier this year. Will Morgan, Roman Kopinski and Leila Craven created lino prints from their sketches of objects in the museum’s collection. A WWWII gas mask caught the imagination of Leila (see photo), while Roman was drawn to the blacksmith’s forge display, and Will took a close look at the collection of watch-making items in the Vic Brackenbury collection. The lino prints can be discovered within the museum displays, in cabinet 11 and the forge display, on view until October 1st.
Latest News
The museum was pleased to purchase this amusing print from Sanders of Oxford with a bequest left to the museum. The print is from an engraving by Joseph Winkelman, who… Among the objects Neil unearthed were coins, badges, keepsakes and buttons. One find that initially puzzled him was a small metal object in the shape of a closed fist. This… Our conservation cleaning team has undertaken specialist cleaning of museum objects during 2026. Key to this has been the purchase of a new ‘Conservac’ museum hoover thanks to a grant… The Playing Close has been at the centre of Charlbury life for hundreds of years. But it wasn’t always the tranquil, green space that it is today. In the past… 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…
Engraving by Joseph Winkelman
Detectorist at work
Conservation
The Playing Close
Museum becomes a charity