Wiltshire Museum

19/06/2026

On today, dating from the 15th century, is the Lacock Cup is a silver-gilt drinking cup which has been owned by the Church of St. Cyriac in Lacock, Wiltshire, and thought to have been used by its congregation for over 400 years.

The Lacock Cup is a stunning piece of craftsmanship with a unique history. In the medieval period the Cup was used for feasting and dining at table. In the post-Reformation era, the Cup became a sacred vessel: a chalice for communion wine in a Protestant church. This is a replica of the cup.

To find out more about the Lacock Cup, click here:
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/item-record/319e5758-efe3-3425-b13a-1d85058a9990/?s%3D%26filter%5Bmultimedia.%40type%5D%5B%5D%3Dimage%26filter%5Bsubject.summary.title.keyword%5D%5B%5D%3Darchaeology%26filter%5Bsubject.summary.title.keyword%5D%5B%5D%3Dmedieval%26page%3D3&pos=107

18/06/2026

On Friday 26th June at 1pm we have a free, interactive workshop which has been designed for adults (18+) living with disabilities.

The session will provide attendees with an opportunity to develop practical skills, exchange experiences, and explore approaches that can help make day to day communication and access to information more effective.

Please note: parents, carers, support workers, and personal assistants are also welcome to attend the workshops.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore Wiltshire Museum following the workshop from circa 3pm - 5pm.

The event is free to attend, but please book ticket following the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/health-horizons-wellbeing-project-2026-workshops-registration-tickets-1986335858022?aff=oddtdtcreator

Facilitated by Aaron Campbell as part of Disability Equals Ability's National Lottery-funded Health Horizons programme, this workshop focuses on practical skills that can be applied in everyday life.
Participants will explore effective communication techniques, understanding and requesting reasonable adjustments, navigating services and information (such as GP appointments, hospitals, social care services, housing providers, benefits systems, and community support organisations), self advocacy, active listening, and informed decision making.
Through interactive activities and discussion, attendees will gain practical tools, useful knowledge, and real world strategies that can support greater confidence, independence, and effectiveness when engaging with healthcare providers, employers, educational settings, public services, and everyday situations.

18/06/2026

Running for Assizes - Robin Jéquier is running to commemorate Robert Hunt-Grubbe, whom without, the Assize Court Project wouldn't be possible.

In memory of Robert, Robin is raising money for our Assize Court's project by running the Frome Half Marathon in August.

Robert was a key figure in rescuing the Assize Court, providing substantial funding to purchase the building, along with the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust. Robert has been actively involved in the development of the project as a Trustee of the Devizes Assize Court Trust.

Thank you, Robin and thank you, Robert.

If you wish to donate, you can do so by following the link below:

Help Robin Jéquier raise money to support Devizes Assize Court Trust

18/06/2026

Wessex Archaeology have press released the solsticial alignment of two post pits excavated by Phil Harding at his amazing Bulford site. First revealed by Phil, one of our Patrons, in confidence back in March at our Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference.

Radiocarbon dated to around 5,000 years ago, the discovery reveals evidence for the earliest known alignment with the solstice in the Stonehenge landscape.

17/06/2026

Did you know a lot goes on behind the scenes at Wiltshire Museum. Away from our lovely every-day visitors, we also get a lot of pre-booked groups come and visit.
From school trips, to history groups, and all those in between!

They involve presentations, activities, talks and taster tours, and sometimes, some tea & coffee. Here's David WOW-ing the crowds with his very intricate details on the Bush Barrow gold pieces - trust us, it is fascinating!

Find out more about group bookings here:
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/visitors-book/group-visits/

16/06/2026

Thank you to all those who came to our first Create Space session last week!
Create Space is an adult art group, exploring art & craft for your wellbeing.
Our next session will be Tuesday 23rd June at 10:30am
and our theme will be, The Moon!

Come along to discover, connect, experiment and make mistakes.

You can book your tickets through the website here:

https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/event/create-space-moon-theme/?event_date=2026-06-23

16/06/2026

FYI, this event has currently been postponed due to illness.
We will update you with further information soon.

Update: EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS.

Join our online talk about Edward Newall Tuck on Wednesday 17th June.
The online session will start at 7:30pm and be led by Chris Dallimore.

Edward Newall Tuck was the first Headmaster of Chippenham Secondary School. Mayor twice and a local councillor who played an important part in the development of Chippenham between his arrival here in 1893 until his death in 1949.

Chris will look at his family from Bath, their move to Sheffield and Tuck’s life in Chippenham as a teacher, liberal politician, historian and much more!

Book your tickets here:
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/event/online-talk-edward-newall-tuck-son-of-bath-chippenham-educator-of-wiltshire-by-chris-dallimore/?event_date=2026-06-17

15/06/2026

It would be hard not to mention the tale of the Moonrakers when looking at Devizes heritage. A tale from the 18th century, in which a group of smugglers ‘out-witted’ excise men by pretending to be some simple local folk, trying to rake the ‘giant cheese’ (the moon’s reflection) out of the water.

In 1791 smugglers based in Wiltshire were hiding their contraband brandy in The Crammer in Devizes. Excise men had been tipped off about the smuggling activities and took cover nearby, however story has it that the smugglers were also tipped off, about the tipping off and played the officers at their own game. As the perfect decoy, they arrived at The Crammer, pawing at the water’s surface with rakes, pretending to be ‘village-idiots’.

This playful act not only meant the officers laughed and left them alone but led to the coined West-Country phrase of ‘The Moonrakers’, which is often used to refer to those from Wiltshire.

The photos are from two Moonraker postcards in our collection & a photo of The Crammer in Devizes.

You can find more on the Moonrakers by searching our collection here:
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/search-the-collections/?s=moonrakers&page=1

15/06/2026

Update: EVENT SOLD OUT!
Only 1 space left on our Introduction to Reduction Linocut day course on Saturday!
Saturday 20th June - 10:30am to 4pm.

Learn the principles of designing for print, how to separate your design into two colours, the methods for cutting lino, and how to print a two colour reduction print.

All tools & materials are provided on the day!

To find out more, or to book that one remaining ticket, follow the link:
https://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news-articles/event/day-course-introduction-to-reduction-linocut-with-robin-mackenzie-2/?event_date=2026-06-20

We can't wait to see you there!

14/06/2026

When everyone is talking about football, but you can't join in because you got distracted in the museum's costume corner again...