Jump to our latest news

Charlbury Museum & Heritage Centre  1949 – 2024

75 years collecting and preserving the town’s history

This year’s exhibition, Tradition & Tragedy, commemorates the centenary of the Beating of the Bounds walk 1924 when three children drowned

Also: a master beekeeper who supplied honey to Buckingham Palace

We are open Easter Saturday to end September 

Saturdays 10.30 – 12.30, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays  2.30 – 4.30

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

.