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
    • Living Landscape
  • 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
    • Corporate
    • Become a Patron
    • 100 Club

Floorplan

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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 July 2026

MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday SSunday
2929th June 2026
3030th June 2026

1:30 pm: The 'Port' of Wantage Talk

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
1st July 2026

1810 - 1895

Seam Seabourne will tell us why anyone would want to bring boats into Wantage and why did they keep doing it for eight five years. How expensive was  it to do that, and what were the reasons? Find out by learning about the days when Wantage became a 'port' and the best faggots in Berkshire could be bought at the Jolly Waterman in Wantage.

Wednesday 1st July  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.

 
22nd July 2026
33rd July 2026
44th July 2026
55th July 2026
66th July 2026
77th July 2026
88th July 2026

1:30 pm: Anna Dillon Meet the Artist

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
9th July 2026

Join artist Anna Dillon as she introduces her Living Landscape mural and talks us through the process of creating this special commission for the Museum.

Thursday 9th July
1.30pm

£7.50 per person.

Book online here
1010th July 2026

10:00 am: Museum Fundraising Summer Fete

10:00 am – 2:00 pm
11th July 2026

We are really looking forward to our Summer Fete this year. We will have a great selection of games and activities, stalls and chances to win. Tickets for our Big Summer Raffle are on sale now from reception or via the link here. (This will take you to our Stripe payment page).

Prizes include:

Blenheim Palace Family Annual Pass

Tickets to:

Millets Maize Maze

Roald Dahl Museum Fairytale Farm

Oxford Bus Museum

Bekonscot Model Village

Oxford River Cruise

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Didcot Railway Centre

Oxfords Illusion Museum

Loose Cannon Brewery

Snakes and Ladders

Birdland

Roves Farm

Whitchurch Silk Mill

High Score Arcade

Farmer Gows Wellington Country Park

Kennet & Avon Canal Trip Combe Mill

and more!
1212th July 2026
1313th July 2026
1414th July 2026
1515th July 2026
1616th July 2026
1717th July 2026
1818th July 2026
1919th July 2026

10:00 am: LEGO® Club

10:00 am – 11:00 am
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.

 

11:30 am: LEGO® Club

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
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.

 

10:30 am: Children's Art Workshop

10:30 am – 12:00 pm
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.

10:00 am: Hands On History

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
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.

 

10:00 am: LEGO® Club

10:00 am – 11:00 am
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.

 

11:30 am: LEGO® Club

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
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.

 

10:00 am: Creative Crafts

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
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.

 
2424th July 2026
2525th July 2026
2626th July 2026

10:00 am: LEGO® Club

10:00 am – 11:00 am
27th 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.

 

11:30 am: LEGO® Club

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
27th 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.

 

10:00 am: Creative Crafts

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
28th 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.

 

10:00 am: Brass Rubbing

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
29th July 2026

Come along and have a go at brass rubbing, using our collection of brass plates.

Wednesday 29th July and Wednesday 26th 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.

10:00 am: LEGO® Club

10:00 am – 11:00 am
29th 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.

 

11:30 am: LEGO® Club

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
29th 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.

 

10:00 am: Creative Crafts

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
30th 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.

 
3131st July 2026
11st August 2026
22nd August 2026
Awards

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