Charlbury Museum

Run entirely by volunteers, the Museum is in part of the Corner House, in Market Street in the centre of Charlbury.  Our aim is to preserve the history of this ancient town and foster a sense of its history among residents and visitors.

We are now open for the 2026 season which runs until 25th October. Opening hours are

Saturday mornings 10.30-12.30 & 2.30 to 4.30

Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays  2.30-4.30

For full details please visit www.charlburymuseum.org.uk

Charlbury Museum is one of the finest small museums in the county.  It’s five rooms are crammed with exhibits revealing the history of this ancient market town, together with documents and photographs charting the lives of Charlbury families at work and play over the centuries.

Our special exhibition on the history of The Playing Close continues this year

For centuries The Playing Close has played a central role in the life of Charlbury.  Our exhibition unravels the story of how it was gifted to the town by Thomas Gifford and charts how its use has changed over the centuries.  Today it is a well-tended green and tranquil space but in the past it housed middens, hovels and sawpits, it rang to the sound of craftsmen making their wares, hosted animal markets and fairs and provided a large space for open air services by visiting preachers.  It was also used as a recreational space for funfairs and shows, and is still used as a place for gatherings, commemorations and celebrations.  Old photographs and imaginative displays capture the spirit of this iconic feature of Charlbury life.

Fascinating objects unearthed around Charlbury

The museum has recently received some fascinating objects unearthed by local metal detectorists.  Last year Neil Pakenham-Walsh was granted permission to survey The Playing Close and kindly donated his finds to the museum.  These include Sweetheart brooch from the Royal Artillery from the Second World War, a Victorian skirt lifter which hitched up long skirts when the wearer climbed stairs or steps, and a Dandy button dating back to the end of the 18th century.  Finds have also been donated from earlier searches, perhaps the finest being an Elizabethan silver sixpence bearing the unmistakable image of Queen Elizabeth I.  All these objects are on display for you to browse through.

Please do get in touch if you have any queries about the history of the town or have queries about relatives who used to live here. Please contact us at curator@charlburymuseum.org.uk

Can you help? Why not join our friendly team of volunteers who help to steward the museum when we are open.  If you are interested, please contact us at info@charlburymuseum.org.uk

Access: Charlbury is accessible by regular trains from Oxford and Worcester. Buses run from Oxford (Stagecoach S3), and the X9 between Chipping Norton and Witney [no buses on Sundays or bank holidays].

Wheelchair users are welcome. Refreshments are available in local cafes and pubs and at the local Community Centre. Toilets are available at the Corner House during opening hours.

Links: To find out about other Oxfordshire Museums contact www.museumsocc.org.uk

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