VALE & DOWNLAND

At the Vale & Downland, you’ll discover so much more than a museum! From fossils to a Formula One, we have objects and stories to fascinate all ages.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Our vibrant and frequently changing programme of exhibitions and events ensures there is always something new to see and do for families and schools.

COFFEE SHOP & GIFT SHOP

Enjoy delicious home-made cakes and light lunch served in the Coffee Shop. Our shop also stocks a range of books, gifts, toys and souvenirs.

VALE & DOWNLAND

At the Vale & Downland, you’ll discover so much more than a museum! From fossils to a Formula One, we have objects and stories to fascinate all ages.

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Our vibrant and frequently changing programme of exhibitions and events ensures there is always something new to see and do for families and schools.

COFFEE SHOP & GIFT SHOP

Enjoy delicious home-made cakes and light lunch served in the Coffee Shop. Our shop also stocks a range of books, gifts, toys and souvenirs.

Welcome to the Vale & Downland Museum

We are open Monday to Saturday 9.30am • Last admission to the Galleries is 3.30pm • Admission is free.

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 Coffee Shop with a delightful terrace and garden.

It also acts as a springboard for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside around Wantage.

Admission to the museum galleries is free but we welcome donations. (suggested donation of £5)

We have lots of exciting events taking place at the museum throughout the year.

See below for our upcoming and current events. For a calendar of events, check out our ‘What’s On’ page!

Week of Jul 20th

  • - LEGO® Club and 1 other event
    LEGO® Club

    LEGO® Club

    –
    20th July 2026

    LEGO® Club is back for summer 2026!

    These sessions are perfect for any LEGO® loving child. Each session is an hour of building fun with our vast collection of LEGO®.

    Sessions run throughout the summer on the following dates:

    Monday 20th, & 27th July, and 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th August

    Wednesday 22nd, & 29th July, and 5th, 12th, 26th August

    Thursday 20th August

    Each day has two sessions: 10am - 11am and 11.30am - 12.30pm.

    £4 per child, per session.

    Book in advance to avoid disappointment as we can not guarantee there will be walk-in spaces available.

    Book online here or at the museum.

    Parents/guardians must stay on site but do not need to stay in the room with the children.

     

    LEGO® Club

    LEGO® Club

    –
    20th July 2026

    LEGO® Club is back for summer 2026!

    These sessions are perfect for any LEGO® loving child. Each session is an hour of building fun with our vast collection of LEGO®.

    Sessions run throughout the summer on the following dates:

    Monday 20th, & 27th July, and 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th August

    Wednesday 22nd, & 29th July, and 5th, 12th, 26th August

    Thursday 20th August

    Each day has two sessions: 10am - 11am and 11.30am - 12.30pm.

    £4 per child, per session.

    Book in advance to avoid disappointment as we can not guarantee there will be walk-in spaces available.

    Book online here or at the museum.

    Parents/guardians must stay on site but do not need to stay in the room with the children.

     

  • - Children's Art Workshop
    Children's Art Workshop

    Children's Art Workshop

    –
    21st July 2026

    Get creative at our art workshop for children ages 7+.
    A hands-on workshop full of creativity, making, and fun to take home and enjoy.

    Tuesday 21st July - Children will create an animal on canvas using mixed media.

    £10 per child, per workshop.

    Book online here

    This workshop is strictly for children aged 7 years and upwards. Any bookings for children aged below 7 years will be cancelled.

    This is a taught workshop, so please arrive promptly.
    Our Learning Officer is a fully qualified teacher and DBS checked.
    Parents/guardians please drop off your children at the beginning of the session and then return to the museum to collect your child(ren) at the end of the session. You will not be able to stay in the room with the children because there is limited space available. You are welcome to stay in the museum/café or go home, but please make sure you are here to collect your child at the end of the session. A contact telephone number for the adult that will be dropping off/collecting the child is required.

  • - Hands On History and 2 other events
    Hands On History

    Hands On History

    –
    22nd July 2026

    Get up close with objects from the museum collection and find out about their history.

    Wednesday 22nd July and Wednesday 12th August. 10am - 12pm

    Free to attend and no need to book.

    All ages welcome but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

    Please consider donating to the museum so we can continue hosting these free events for the community.

     

    LEGO® Club

    LEGO® Club

    –
    22nd July 2026

    LEGO® Club is back for summer 2026!

    These sessions are perfect for any LEGO® loving child. Each session is an hour of building fun with our vast collection of LEGO®.

    Sessions run throughout the summer on the following dates:

    Monday 20th, & 27th July, and 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th August

    Wednesday 22nd, & 29th July, and 5th, 12th, 26th August

    Thursday 20th August

    Each day has two sessions: 10am - 11am and 11.30am - 12.30pm.

    £4 per child, per session.

    Book in advance to avoid disappointment as we can not guarantee there will be walk-in spaces available.

    Book online here or at the museum.

    Parents/guardians must stay on site but do not need to stay in the room with the children.

     

    LEGO® Club

    LEGO® Club

    –
    22nd July 2026

    LEGO® Club is back for summer 2026!

    These sessions are perfect for any LEGO® loving child. Each session is an hour of building fun with our vast collection of LEGO®.

    Sessions run throughout the summer on the following dates:

    Monday 20th, & 27th July, and 3rd, 10th, 17th, & 24th August

    Wednesday 22nd, & 29th July, and 5th, 12th, 26th August

    Thursday 20th August

    Each day has two sessions: 10am - 11am and 11.30am - 12.30pm.

    £4 per child, per session.

    Book in advance to avoid disappointment as we can not guarantee there will be walk-in spaces available.

    Book online here or at the museum.

    Parents/guardians must stay on site but do not need to stay in the room with the children.

     

  • - Creative Crafts
    Creative Crafts

    Creative Crafts

    –
    23rd July 2026

    This summer we have a jam-packed schedule of fun craft sessions for children.

    Craft sessions for children who like to get hands-on and messy!
    Let your kids get messy and leave the clearing up to us!

    Thursday 23rd July - Create a tiny treasure box. £2.50 per child. Book here

    Tuesday 28th July - Make some beautiful bunting. £2.50 per child. Book here

    Thursday 30th July - Create a mosaic using air-dry clay*, seeds and pulses. £5 per child. Book here

    Tuesday 11th August - Make a coiled pot with air-dry clay*. £5 per child. Book here

    Thursday 13th August - Make a mandala sun catcher or garden stick. £2.50 per child. Book here

    Tuesday 25th August - Create a collage picture. £2.50 per child. Book here

    Thursday 27th August - To round off the summer holidays we will be doing some mindful colouring. FREE. Book here

    All these craft sessions run from 10am - 12pm and have 4 arrival time slots (10, 10.30, 11, 11,30am). We space out the arrival times to allow each child enough time and space to enjoy the session.

    *Clay sessions can get messy so please come dressed in old clothing or bring an apron.

    Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

    These sessions are aimed at children aged 4-11. All ages welcome but younger children may need more assistance from their accompanying adults.

    Booking in advance is recommended. Book online or at the museum. We can not guarantee there will be space for walk-ins on the day.

     

Hannah

-

“Lovely local museum. Interesting galleries, yummy cafe and good craft activities for all the family.”

Lucy

-

“What a great museum we have in Wantage. It’s the best. Today was a Science exhibition and was totally amazing. Well done. Keep up the great work.”

Sean

-

“A nice Museum for a nice little town and the staff is always happy to help. I recommend all friends and family should visit the museum it’s well worth it.”