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Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

West Berkshire Museum

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West Berkshire Museum

Exploring and sharing the heritage of West Berkshire from the pre-historic to today. FREE ADMISSION
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23/06/2026

Those who have tickets for Friday's (26 June) Swifts in Newbury talk and walk, please look for the email (that was sent last week and again today) with details on the event -- please also respond to confirm receipt of the email and its contents.
Ticketholders: please arrive at West Berkshire Museum between 6.15pm and 6.30pm on Friday; you need only give the family name that the tickets were booked under.
Ailsa Claybourn, a local bird expert, is the talk speaker and walk leader for this event.
Here's hoping there's a swift screaming party on Friday!
Swift Awareness Week is from 27 June to 5 July
Poster image courtesy of Roger Wyatt.

22/06/2026

answer. Did you guess this portrait is of John Winchcombe (1489-1557), sometimes called ‘Jack of Newbury’? In the 1500s Newbury’s woollen cloth gained an international reputation. The leading local producer was clothier John Winchcombe. Winchcombe grew very wealthy and became one of the Berkshire gentry by buying the manors of Bucklebury and Thatcham. He also became a Member of Parliament and was responsible for rebuilding a large part of St. Nicolas’ Church in Newbury, which features his merchant’s mark in the nave roof.

21/06/2026

It's the summer solstice today (Sun 21st)! To mark this occasion, drop by West Berkshire Museum between 10am and 4pm (last entry 3.30pm) and complete the *free* summer solstice museum detective trail. Available from the activity trolley in room 1 of the permanent exhibition (downstairs), explore the Museum to discover more about five of the objects on display, and find out five fun facts about the summer solstice. Free entry to the Museum as usual.

20/06/2026

We're offering ARTS AWARD DISCOVER at West Berkshire Museum this summer. It is a self-led arts and crafts project aimed at 6-12 years.
To sign up, come to the museum reception during opening hours (Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm) to buy an introduction pack (£14 per pack/child) including a Discover map, ticket to two Museum Creative Craft Mornings of your choice (July/Aug), a craft kit and a certificate (subject to successful completion and submission of the map by mid-September).
Discover is the entry level for the Arts Award and aims to support young people's creative development. It is administered by Trinity College, London: www.artsaward.org.uk
For more information about this specific Arts Award Explore, please email: [email protected]
Image: A few creations from past family craft events. We will be decorating a ceramic item (choose from one of a small selection of different shapes) at the Museum's Creative Craft Morning (Porcelain Perfection) on Fri 7 August, 10am-1pm. Remember that an entry ticket to two Creative Craft Mornings (July/Aug) is included in the fee for the Arts Award Discover introduction pack (£14).

19/06/2026

Can you name the person in this portrait? He's a well-known local person and his portrait is hanging in room 2 of the permanent exhibition at West Berkshire Museum. To find out who he is and his connection to the area, why not visit the Museum at the weekend (Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm both days) and see if you can spot his portrait and the exhibition panel telling you about his story. If you can wait until Monday, I'll reveal who he is and his story then

18/06/2026

DON'T MISS OUT on the Newbury Pride Family Craft Morning at West Berkshire Museum on Saturday 11 July, 10am-11.45am. It is a *free* drop-in event (no need to book) where we'll be making a rainbow hanging decoration (similar to the one pictured). Take home to display on a wall or in a window to celebrate Newbury Pride 2026! Last entry to the event is 15 minutes before the end time.

17/06/2026

If you're seeking a volunteer role on a long-term basis working with children and families, please look no further. At West Berkshire Museum, we're seeking Museum Family Activities Volunteers to help the Learning and Participation Officer deliver the family activities and events in the school holidays as well as to help with occasional activities and events in term-time. If you are interested, please see the poster below for contact details on how to find out more.

15/06/2026

answer. This is a Roman object, a small dish or bowl dating from around 130AD to 150AD. The glossy red pottery originated from Gaul (modern-day France) and is often referred to as Samian ware. This example was found in a Pyle Hill gravel pit. It is broken (with a chip missing from its rim) and has been visibly repaired.
Imported Samian ware, despite being expensive and viewed as a luxury item, was not uncommon and was brought into the country in large quantities until local potteries were established, although the local pottery was often thought to be much inferior.

14/06/2026

SAVE THE DATES! It's going to be a crafty summer at Shaw House (Weds, 10am-2pm) and West Berkshire Museum (Fridays, 10am-1pm) starting on 29th July and 31st July respectively.
For five fun-filled weeks at both venues, we'll be making and decorating a whole host of crafts. To give you a taster, please see the pictures of two of the family crafts on offer.
Craft activity cost: £2.50 per child (per activity). No need to book, just drop-in (last entry 15 minutes before the end time). (If you wish to explore the rest of the interior of Shaw House, house admission prices will apply, please see: www.westberkshireheritage.org/shaw-house/plan-your-visit)
Image: Shaw House Family Activity Day, Beautiful Beasts (make the animal or bird of your choice from polystyrene shapes and other materials), Wed 29 July; Museum's Creative Craft Morning, Wooden Wonders (choose from one of a selection of wooden craft kits, make and then decorate), Friday 14 August.

12/06/2026

Here’s another mystery object for you to identify. We’ll provide the answer on Monday but, if you cannot wait, please feel free to pop by the Museum at the weekend to find it (open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm, last entry 3.30pm, free entry as usual). Our clue is that this is a particular type of pottery recognisable by its glossy surface and distinctive colour. It’s in room 2 of the Museum’s permanent exhibition telling the story of West Berkshire.

Address

The Wharf
Newbury
RG145AS

Opening Hours

Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

01635 519562

Website

http://www.westberkshireheritage.org/

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