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 May 4th

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    5th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape and 1 other event
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    6th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

    Life in Wantage Workhouse Talk

    Life in Wantage Workhouse Talk

    –
    6th May 2026

    "I'd sooner die in a ditch"

    Sem Seabourne will be telling us the story of how the poor and unemployed inhabitants of Wantage have been dealt with over the years, particularly since the building of the final workhouse in 1834, and sad tales of human misery.

    Wednesday 6th May  1.30pm

    £7.50 per person

    Please book in advance online here or in person at the museum

    Suitable for people aged 16+

    This talk is part of our Adults Gallery Talks Programme for Autumn 2025 - Summer 2026.

    The Museum Coffee Shop will be open with refreshments available to purchase before and after this talk. Last orders at 3pm. Please note food and drink are not permitted in the Museum galleries, so please allow enough time to visit the Coffee Shop.

     

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    7th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    8th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    9th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

  • - Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape
    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    Artweeks Exhibition - Light and Landscape

    –
    10th May 2026

    Light and Landscape

    Local artists Jill Smith and Patsy Jones are returning to the museum for Oxfordshire Artweeks 2026 with their latest exhibition Light and Landscape.

    Tuesday 5th - Saturday 23rd May

    This exhibition will showcase beautiful vibrant paintings, linocuts, prints, and cards featuring Oxfordshire landscapes, coastal scenes, and more!

    Open during normal museum opening times: Monday* - Saturday 9.30am - 3.45pm. Last admission 3.30pm.

    Free admission but please consider donating to the museum and supporting the Museum Coffee Shop during your visit.

    *Please note the museum is closed on Bank Holidays

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Here is a little sneak peek of some the artworks you will see:

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Artweeks venues 39 and 40

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.”