Explore galleries, exhibitions, and local heritage with family-friendly learning activities, a research library, and an on-site cafe serving homemade refreshments.

Vale & Downland Museum offers families a welcoming destination to discover the history and culture of the Vale and Downland region. The museum features multiple galleries with rotating exhibitions and a free digital guide to enhance visits. Visitors can explore collections at their own pace, with dedicated family learning programs and activities designed for children of all ages. The venue provides comprehensive amenities for families, including a cafe serving homemade soup, jacket potatoes, locally made rolls, and treats. The museum is pushchair-friendly and welcomes dogs, making it accessible for visitors with young children and pets. Additional features include a research library, shop, group tours, and talks suitable for school groups and lifelong learners. With free entry and opening hours from 9:30am to 3:45pm Monday to Saturday, the museum creates an inclusive environment for family outings. The Living Landscape program and community links demonstrate the venue's commitment to engaging with local audiences and providing educational opportunities beyond the galleries.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink

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Pete Gee

a month ago

Fascinating local museum with a well structured story line with most relevant exhibits Well presented Audio visual room and great space presentating the Tramway

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Tamsin Baker

3 months ago

A wonderful free museum, so well looked after with an excellent range of exhibits. It caters especially well for children with different activities on clipboards to complete, games, running model trains, interactive elements, colouring table and more. Fascinating local history, a skeleton, videos, interesting artefacts and a cafe.

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Stephen Harness

6 months ago

Much better and bigger than expected, really worth a detour to visit. They’ve made the most of the building with sections being changed to look like period buildings to set the context of the exhibits. There’s lots of online resources too, a nice cafe, welcoming staff, a small shop and an area just for kids. Great.

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Will Topping

a year ago

Great cafe and museum with lots to see. Our toddlers really enjoyed walking around and exploring. Shame the trains weren't working and my falafel panini was a bit dry but otherwise very tasty

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Heather Fuller

2 years ago

Fabulous local museum takes you through time, from pre history to 20th century. Well set up for adults and children a like. The museum cafe has a lovely choice of food and drinks.

Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026