Vale & Downland Museum
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Vale & Downland Museum
  • Visit Us
    • Where to find us
    • Opening times
    • Families
    • Accessibility
    • Group Tours and Talks
    • Coffee Shop
    • Shop
    • Free Digital Guide
    • About Us
      • Mission
      • History
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Policies
      • Contact us
    • Contact us
  • What’s On
    • What’s On
  • Explore
    • Galleries
    • Floorplan
    • Research Library
    • Exhibitions
    • Free Digital Guide
  • Learn
    • Primary Schools
    • Secondary Schools
    • Families
    • Student Opportunities
    • Lifelong Learning
    • Resources
  • Support Us
    • Donate
    • Trusts and Foundations
    • Legacy Giving
    • Volunteer
    • Join the Friends
  • Friends
    • About the Friends
    • Join the Friends
    • Photo Gallery
  • Local Info
    • Community Links
    • Tourist Info
  • 50 Appeal
    • Sponsorship
    • Patron’s Scheme
    • 100 Club

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NEWSLETTER

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Vale & Downland Museum

The museum has been nationally acclaimed & offers a very broad range of services, from galleries interpreting the cultural heritage of the Vale of White Horse, to a café with a delightful terrace & garden.

Tel: 01235 771 447

Email: info@valeanddownlandmuseum.org.uk

Events

Events in February 2026

MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday SSunday

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery

9:30 am: The Wantage Tramway Exhibition

9:30 am – 3:45 pm
20th September 2025 – 31st January 2026

The Story of a Bucolic Road Side Steam Tramway

A special exhibition marking 100 years since the closure of the Wantage Tramway passenger line and the 200th anniversary of the modern railway

Co-curated with Dr Richard Marks
20th September 2025 - 31st January 2026 in the Squires Gallery
11st February 2026
22nd February 2026
33rd February 2026

1:30 pm: Wantage Tales Talk

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
4th February 2026

Step back in time with local historian Trevor Hancock as he brings Wantage's past to life! Through captivating stories of remarkable people and fascinating places, discover the hidden tales that shaped our town.

Wednesday 4th February  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.
55th February 2026
66th February 2026
77th February 2026
88th February 2026

10:00 am: Toddler Tunes

10:00 am – 10:30 am
9th February 2026

A fun and friendly music session of traditional songs and rhymes played on a variety of instruments.
Monday 12th January, 9th February and 9th March.
10am - 10.30am.
£2 per child, adults go free but must book an adult ticket.
Book tickets online here

 

 
1010th February 2026
1111th February 2026

7:30 pm: Friends of VDM Talk - The Harcourt Arboretum

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
12th February 2026

Join the Friends of the Vale & Downland Museum and speaker Timothy Walker for another fascinating talk

The Harcourt Arboretum was founded in 1835 when the Harcourt family started to collect the wonderful conifers that were being introduced into this country from North America.
The soil at the Arboretum is acid (very rare in Oxfordshire) and so, in addition to the mature conifers, the Arboretum houses a fine collection of rhododendrons and other calcifuge plants.
It was annexed to the University of Oxford Botanic Garden in 1963 and this talk looks at the history of the site plus a walk around the 130-acre Arboretum.

Tickets:
Members of the Friends £5 each (requires a password)
Visitors £7 each

How to book:

  • Online www.ticketsource.co.uk/vale-downland-museum
  • Phone 0333 666 3366
  • In person at the museum

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Find out more about the Friends of the Vale & Downland Museum here

Booking online or by phone will incur booking fees
1313th February 2026
1414th February 2026
1515th February 2026
1616th February 2026
1717th February 2026
1818th February 2026

10:00 am: Music and Merriment

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
19th February 2026

Medieval Family Fun

Step back in time for a joyful medieval music day for the whole family! Dance and sing along with medieval band Ghaetta, who’ll lead lively dances and action songs. Get hands-on with crafts as you make your own musical instruments, plus more creative activities. Perfect for children aged 3-11, with fun for all the family!

£6.50 per child.
Must be booked in advance.

Online via Ticketsource
Phone 0333 666 3366
In person at the museum

Thursday 19th February
10am - 12pm OR 1 - 3pm

There are two sessions on this day so please make sure you book and attend the correct session.

This event is aimed at primary aged children but younger and older children are welcome. Younger children will require more assistance from their accompanying adult.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

1:00 pm: Music and Merriment

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
19th February 2026

Medieval Family Fun

Step back in time for a joyful medieval music day for the whole family! Dance and sing along with medieval band Ghaetta, who’ll lead lively dances and action songs. Get hands-on with crafts as you make your own musical instruments, plus more creative activities. Perfect for children aged 3-11, with fun for all the family!

£6.50 per child.
Must be booked in advance.

Online via Ticketsource
Phone 0333 666 3366
In person at the museum

Thursday 19th February
10am - 12pm OR 1 - 3pm

There are two sessions on this day so please make sure you book and attend the correct session.

This event is aimed at primary aged children but younger and older children are welcome. Younger children will require more assistance from their accompanying adult.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

10:30 am: Family Weaving Workshop

10:30 am – 12:30 pm
20th February 2026

Join professional weaver Angela Pawlyn at the Vale & Downland Museum for a fun family weaving workshop, where families will use a small loom to create their own woven creation which they will take home at the end of the session.

£10 per family.

How to book:

  • Online www.ticketsource.co.uk/vale-downland-museum
  • Phone 0333 666 3366
  • In person at the museum

Maximum of 4 people per family and must include at least one adult.
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times within the museum.
Recommended age 7+
2121st February 2026
2222nd February 2026
2323rd February 2026

1:00 pm: Have a go at Weaving

1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
24th February 2026

Have a go at Weaving - On a Rigid Heddle Loom

Weave a sample on a rigid heddle loom set up so the weft completely covers the warp. Interesting patterns can be formed by using two colours for the weft. You could also have a go at techniques that can be used on a frame to weave a picture.

£30 per person.

How to book:

  • Online www.ticketsource.co.uk/vale-downland-museum
  • Phone 0333 666 3366
  • In person at the museum

Space is limited so must be booked in advance.

Booking online or by phone will incur booking fees.
2525th February 2026
2626th February 2026
2727th February 2026
2828th February 2026
11st March 2026
Awards

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