The Corinium Museum, Cirencester
Visitors can trace the story of the Cotswolds from Prehistory to the late 19th Century, with hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and a wealth of precious artefacts. There are animated and practical games, and audio-visual screens to bring the past to life for everyone from schoolchildren to grandparents.
Special emphasis is placed on the town’s Roman heritage, reflecting Cirencester’s importance as the second biggest Roman town, Corinium, outside London. The Roman collection is now spread over two floors and includes marvellous mosaics, tombstones and sculpture as well as room and shop reconstructions and objects from everyday Roman life.A dramatic new Anglo-Saxon gallery has been created to house the finds – including rare gold pendants - from the cemetery uncovered at Butler’s Field, Lechlade, in 1985. Here, visitors will come face to face with their ancestors in the shape of a forensically-reconstructed Anglo-Saxon man and child who were among the 219 bodies.
The centrepiece of this new gallery is the reconstruction of the grave of ‘Mrs Getty’, the 6th Century Anglo-Saxon princess so nicknamed because of the 500 treasures buried with her.
As well as new galleries and exhibits, the museum also has a re-designed entrance and reception area, a new, bigger shop and a fully-equipped Lifelong Learning Centre for school use, talks, seminars, lectures and community functions.
Corinium Museum Events
This October holiday why not take part in some fun hands-on activities at the Corinium Museum? There will be two activities on offer: Toys and Games and Tudor Life.
Toys and Games, on Friday 27th October, is a drop-in activity for families. There will be the opportunity to play with toys and games from the past and even make some of your own. The activities start at 11.00am and finish at 3.00pm. There is no need to book and the activities are included in the cost of admission.
Tudor Life, on Wednesday 25th October, is a two-hour workshop starting at 10.00am, suitable for 7 – 12 year olds. Children will be able to find out what life was like in Tudor England by dressing up as Henry VIII or one of his wives, looking at great Tudor inventions and making a Tudor ball mask. These popular workshops book quickly and spaces are limited so to avoid disappointment please contact the Museum to make a booking. This workshop costs £4.00 or £2.00 for annual season ticket holders.
Look out too for our Christmas activities in December to get you in the mood for the festive season!
For further information on any of these activities or to make a booking please contact the Corinium Museum on 01285 655611.
Classic Pottery Comes To The Corinium Museum
Go potty over pottery at the Corinium Museum this winter and come and feast your eyes on a wide range of family wares.
The Eeles Family Pottery exhibition will be on display at the Park Street museum from November 3rd until January next year, and will showcase a vast collection of pottery dishes, platters, vases, jars, cooking pots, cheese dishes and wine jars.
All the pottery is available to buy, and is decorated individually using a wide range of techniques. It is mainly the Stoneware type, which is primarily made from clay, as well as Porcelain and Raku types. Inspiration for the patterns are mainly drawn from nature, with grasses, leaves, flowers and shells usually illustrated onto the items.
The Eeles family – who are David and Patricia, and their sons Benjamin and Simon - work from a 17th Century coaching inn in west Dorset. In the past fifty years, David and his family have shown their pottery at over two hundred exhibitions across Great Britain.
Anyone wanting further information on the museum and any events going on should contact Jane Bovenizer or Helen Arbon on 01285 655611 or email museums@cotswold.gov.uk to find out more.
Corinium Museum - Admission Charges
Adults £3.90
Senior Citizens £2.90
Children (5 to 16) and students £2.00
Families (2 adults and 2 children) £9.00
Entrance to Temporary Exhibition only £1.00
Annual season ticket (valid for 1 year)
Visit the Corinium Museum as many times as you like! A season ticket is
valid for a whole year from the date of purchase and entitles the holder to
free entry to the museum and temporary exhibtions.
Adults £11.00
Senior Citizens £8.00
Children £6.00
The season ticket is a bargain. It allows you to make the most of our busy
programme of events and exhibitions. Plus, it also gives you great discounts
on lectures and workshops.
Group Rates (a group equals 10 or more people)
Adults £3.50
Concessions £2.50
Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm and 5pm
The Corinium Museum is also open 10 to 5 on Bank Holidays
The Oxfordshire Museum is set out with displays over three floors of the historic Fletcher's House building (a 16th century merchant's house). The exhibits in the Oxfordshire Museum illustrate a wealth of local history and many interactive exhibitions give you a hands-on experience.