Athelstan Museum is situated in the heart of the ancient town of Malmesbury. This hill-top site has been occupied since at least the Iron Age period, and the museum displays a large range of items spanning the period from that time up to the present day. The museum is run entirely by volunteers and is a registered charity.
The Museum is named after King Athelstan, first King of all England who is buried in Malmesbury. Much more about Athelstan can be found on our King Athelstan and Athelstan 1100 Exhibition pages.
Some key exhibits are a fine silver penny from the reign of King Athelstan, a hoard of Roman coins, and a watercolour of Malmesbury by J.M.W Turner.
The museum’s collection is on display in the Town Hall building, which can be found facing the Cross Hayes car park in the centre of town. Entry to the Museum is free and donations are welcomed.
The museum also owns the Julia and Hans Rausing Building, a converted Moravian Church, used for special museum events and can also be hired for other purposes.
News
WEDDING DRESS DISPLAY
Spring is here at last and just the right time to visit our new display of three beautiful wedding dresses worn by brides during the 1920’s.
One of them was made by a dressmaker from Malmesbury and worn by a talented Lace maker, whose daughter wrote the first book about Malmesbury Lace later in the 20th century.
NEW ONLINE ART GALLERY
Launched February 2025
The museum art collection has been built over about 80 years of purchases and kind donations. We are now able to share much of this wonderful collection via the Art Gallery page.
Enjoy the very different way in which Malmesbury has been depicted through the years.
Our Collection
What’s On
Athelstan Museum
Malmesbury Railway Revisited
Rausing Building
History Club for Children aged 6-10yrs
Rausing Building
A History of Malmesbury told by its Buildings 1170-2014
Rausing Building Venue Hire
Our recently refurbished venue, The Julia & Hans Rausing Building (formerly The Moravian Church) is available for hire throughout the year for talks, concerts, workshops, meetings or conferences.
This modern, light and spacious hall provides excellent audio and visual equipment which includes projector, sound (including a loop for the hard of hearing) and variable lighting modes. Tables can be arranged conference, workshop or theatre style for your event. Kitchen facilities are available.