Vale & Downland Museum
Vale & Downland Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 3:45 PM
About
The Vale and Downland Museum is located in the busy market town of Wantage in Oxfordshire, UK. The museum has been nationally acclaimed as an outstanding example of community partnership. The range of services is very broad ranging, from galleries interpreting the cultural heritage of the Vale of White Horse region, to a cafe with a delightful terrace and garden. It also acts as a springboard for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside around Wantage.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
105 reviews
Excellent
74
Very good
30
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Marion M
5 contributions
Jan 2023
Popped into this lovely local museum this morning to get out of the rain! What a super place. Excellent exhibits and explanations and a very good cafe. We will be back - quite new to the Wantage area so pleased to find somewhere to take our visitors if they are not able to enjoy the local countryside because of the weather or mobility issues.
Written 10 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
juliaandadam123
Ashford, UK1,705 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We were visiting family who have recently moved to Wantage. We’ve never been to Wantage before so whilst wandering around decided to pop into the cafe for lunch. The lunch was delicious and very reasonably priced, so at the end of our meal we decided to look around the little museum too.
Pleasantly surprised to find this was free! It’s a great little museum and the 18month old and 11 year old (as well as 3 adults) enjoyed learning a little about the town and local history.
Pleasantly surprised to find this was free! It’s a great little museum and the 18month old and 11 year old (as well as 3 adults) enjoyed learning a little about the town and local history.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5* review. We are so pleased you all enjoyed your visit to our museum and café.
Written 14 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mark R
Telford, UK321 contributions
Mar 2022
Literally popped in for a coffee and so had a cheese scone at the same time. Luckily it was quiet (just 4 others) and so plenty of room. Service was very good & very friendly. Coffee was hot (many others are just pathetic lukewarm offerings) and scone was good.
A happy Bunny of a customer.
A happy Bunny of a customer.
Written 11 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we really appreciate it.
I will make sure to pass on your lovely comments to our café team and hope to see you again.
Written 14 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LouL
Slough, UK32 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Excellent visit again. We love visiting this museum, always try make time to visit. My favourite part are the videos and the light up section. The lady who was talking us is always helpful and informative, a real asset to the museum!
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5* review. We are so pleased you enjoy visiting the museum, I will pass on your lovely comments to all our front of house team.
We hope to welcome you back again soon.
Written 17 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GaryC
Oxford, UK22 contributions
Dec 2020
Went here with family friends to have a warm chocolate during the Wantage Dickensian Evening in 2019. Really lovely place! Run by volunteers and what a great job they do. Also nice to see the little shop still running. Will try the museum at the back next time I'm there as I know it's been renovated.
Written 18 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindakjps
Huddersfield, UK57 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This was a fantastic experience and an unexpected find. It works on donations for the visit and we felt it was more than worth the money requested. There is lots to see and learn about and everything is displayed fantastically. The museum was spotless and excellent covid procedures in place. Staff very friendley and food in cafe lovely and good value. Will return one day with a bit more time and to see the new exhibition.
Written 10 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5* review and for visiting the museum. I am glad you enjoyed your visit and we hope to welcome you again very soon.
Written 12 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
richard b
Wendover, UK67 contributions
Sep 2020
Pleasant welcome and a cup of coffee before enjoying an hour looking at the well organised displays.
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are glad you enjoyed your visit to the museum.
Written 30 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LouL
Slough, UK32 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Lovely little museum, we always visit when we're in Wantage! We love the videos and the 'lights' at the start of the museum!! The staff are always friendly and very helpful! Excellent for families!
Written 27 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5* review and continuing to support the museum. We are so pleased that you enjoy visiting us.
Written 29 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brenda B
Swindon 21 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Great museum ,well presented .very friendly staff .Quizes very interactive .Booked talk on how Anglo Saxons brushed their hair well delivered and fun .
Well worth the trip . Excellant cake and tea .
Well worth the trip . Excellant cake and tea .
Written 25 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your 5* review. We are so glad that you enjoyed visiting the museum and taking part in our Summer Discovery Session about Anglo Saxons.
Written 29 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Abdy A
4 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Delicious coffee served at out table in the small gallery, just off the main cafe area. The lovely museum staff have gone out of their way to make you feel safe, including taking contact details. It feels a little stark with all the usual shop items and books missing, but the museum is one of Wantage's treasures and deserves support.
I'm glad it is back with us!!
I'm glad it is back with us!!
Written 28 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your 5* review and for visiting the museum and cafe.
We are so pleased that you felt safe within the museum and look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Written 24 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Albert B
Thame, UK
do you have parking on site
Vale and Downland Museum
Wantage, UK
Hi Albert, unfortunately we do not have any parking on site but there are a number of car parks not far from the Museum, the closest is at the Beacon where there is 2 hours free parking this is only a couple of minutes walk away, there is parking in the Market Square but this is limited to 30 minutes, alternatively you can park at either Sainsbury's or Waitrose which is then a short walk of around 5 minutes to the Museum.
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Claim your listingVALE & DOWNLAND MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Vale & Downland Museum
- Vale & Downland Museum is open:
- Mon - Sat 09:30 - 15:45
- Hotels near Vale & Downland Museum:
- (0.06 mi) Bear Hotel
- (0.07 mi) The Bell Inn
- (0.18 mi) Comfortable and Private House, 2 Bed, Central, Perfect for Harwell & Williams F1
- (1.27 mi) The Greyhound Inn
- (0.44 mi) B&B in Wantage
- Restaurants near Vale & Downland Museum:
- (0.00 mi) Vale and Downland Museum Cafe
- (0.10 mi) Yummy Thai
- (0.06 mi) The Bear
- (0.10 mi) Bay Tree Coffee House
- (0.09 mi) Buzz Cafe