Banbury Museum & Gallery

02/06/2026

Volunteer Week 2026

The reality is without our amazing 'Volunteer Outfit', Banbury Museum & Gallery wouldn't be open. Without them we wouldn't be able to run exhibitions, whether they are wielding a paintbrush, helping a build or manning a gallery. We couldn't offer schools our learning resources and sessions. From reminiscence sessions and outings, to supporting our school holiday craft sessions, they support us all the way.

So this special week and for every week they turn up rain or shine, thank you from the whole team for sharing your time, experience and expertise with us.

COULD THIS BE YOU!

We are always on the look out for help and support. This summer we have an amazing brick building experience opening at the museum and we are on the hunt for Volunteer Gallery Hosts who would be keen to get stuck in with a bit of LEGO®️ construction and doesn't mind a bit of brick clearing up. Over the summer this might particularly suit older teens, students and school leavers.

If this might be you or someone you know, do get in touch.
[email protected]
https://www.banburymuseum.org/support-us/joinourteam/

28/05/2026

Meet Your Museum: In this new series, we would like to share with you a bit more from behind the scenes at the museum and a little bit about who works here.

First up is Sue!!

🏛️ Role: Front of House Assistant
📅 At the Museum since: June 2015
⭐ Museum Superpower: Has in the past transformed into an elf, reindeer and Mrs Christmas..!
🧩 Favourite Exhibition: LEGO (definitely LEGO!!)
🏠 Dream museum visit: The Weald & Downland Living Museum
👑 Dream historical dinner guest: Anne Boleyn (I want the inside goss on Henry VIII!)
🧸 Object she'd save from a fire: The old doll from the dolls cabinet (She has obviously been through a lot already and I just feel that she deserves to be saved!)
🎁 Object she'd take home: The dolls house (if she could carry it!)

💬 Best part of the job?

“That every day is different. I never quite know what is going to happen next.”

📚 Most niche museum fact:
Damon Albarn was inspired by signs in the Banbury Gallery when writing his album Gun To The Head for The Good, The Bad & The Queen.

❓Strangest question ever asked at work?
Whether we would barter groceries in exchange for exhibition entry…

25/05/2026

What's On this week at Banbury Museum & Gallery

🧙‍♂️ Bank Holiday Monday: The Magic of Middle Earth exhibition is open today and all week

🎪 Tuesday: Make a Circus Tent

🤡 Wednesday: Tumbling Clowns

🎪 Thursday: Clown Creations

🤡 Friday: Clown Dress Up

🤩 Tues-Friday: Brick Madness - Mornings this week excl Bank Holiday Monday.

For more information and to book head to our website

https://www.banburymuseum.org/whats-on/events/

23/05/2026

May Half Term

We throw together our WHOLE Lego collection for a massive free-play session.

Join us every morning Tues 26th May - Fri 29th May 2026
10.30am-12pm

Booking essential - for more information and to book, see our website

https://www.banburymuseum.org/events/brick-madness-2/

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

Friday 29th May 2026
10.30am & 1.30pm
£4 per child
Ages 3+

Get ready for the circus! In this dress-up craft session, children will create their own circus accessories including a performer’s tie, clown mask, and circus ticket.

Booking Essential

https://www.banburymuseum.org/events/clown-dress-up/

20/05/2026

Banbury Museum & Gallery is partnering with Bridge Street Community Garden to deliver 4 sessions exploring recollections of the great outdoors as a child and what has nature meant to you in adult life.

We invite you to join us!

Sessions are free to attend.

Over 55s-Refreshments will be served

There are 4 sessions to attend starting on 1st June. See our website for more information and to book your free place.

https://www.banburymuseum.org/events/nature-inspired-reminiscence-project/

19/05/2026

May Half Term Activities @ Banbury Museum & Gallery

Clown Creations
Thursday 28th May
10.30am & 1.30pm
£4 per child

Mix and match colours and shapes to create colourful paper clown characters with big smiles, funny noses, and bright hair.

Booking Essential-Head over to our website for more
https://www.banburymuseum.org/events/clown-creations/

18/05/2026

It's International Museum Day!

At Banbury Museum & Gallery we see every day how museums bring people together through shared stories, creativity, learning, conversation and community.

After a tumultuous few months and with challenges that will continue to come in the future, we’re proud to be still open, still welcoming visitors, schools, families and local groups, and still working hard to make culture and heritage accessible to as many people as we can.

Museums are more than buildings or collections. They are places where communities connect, where local stories are preserved, and where everyone can learn, reflect and feel inspired.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us. By visiting, bringing school groups, volunteering, supporting our museum shop, sharing our posts or simply championing the value of museums in our community, you are helping to keep our doors open.

Your support matters.

This International Museum Day, we celebrate the power of museums to unite people and we remain committed to serving our community for years to come.

If you are able, please consider a donation to Banbury Museum & Gallery today!

https://www.banburymuseum.org/support-us/make-a-donation/

15/05/2026

Our Kidlington Reminiscence Group are a very adventurous lot! Last month they took a trip to the Theatre!

John Chipperfield (Kidlington group member) tells us all about their experience..

Members of our Kidlington Reminiscence Group spent an enjoyable afternoon trying to unravel a murder mystery.

We put our detective skills to the test at the New Theatre in Oxford to discover the suspects in a production of The Killings at Badger’s Drift.

In a stage spin-off of the popular TV show, Midsomer Murders, detectives Tom Barnaby and Gavin Troy work their usual magic to solve the puzzle. They investigate the death of Emily Simpson in the seemingly tranquil village of Badger’s Drift but, as expected, there are plenty of twists and turns before we know ‘Whodunnit’.

The Kidlington party joined in rapturous applause at the end.

Afterwards, we adjourned to the nearby White Rabbit restaurant to enjoy a tasty post-show meal, amid plenty of laughter and chatter.

Do we want to do it again? The answer was a hearty ‘Yes’.

If you want to find out how you can get involved in one of our two Reminiscence Groups in Kidlington and Banbury, you can find out more here:

https://www.banburymuseum.org/learning/reminiscence/