Museums in England (A-B)
A highly idiosyncratic list of both public and commercial places to visit, based on the exacting criteria of whatever I think might be fun. There are, of course, thousands of museums big and small throughout the UK. What's your favourite?

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Abbot Hall    Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal. Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA9 5AL Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A591 Website: Abbot Hall Email: info@abbothall.org.uk Phone: 01539 722 464 Fax: 01539 722 494 Location map Details of Abbot Hall OS SD517 922 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Alexander Keillor Museum   A museum detailing the life and work of archeology pioneer Alexander Keillor. Keillor was responsible for much of the early excavating work at the Avebury henge complex, and the museum has one of the best exhibits of prehistoric remains in the country. Avebury, Wiltshire, England, SN8 1RF Attraction Type: Museum Location: Between the Barn Galleries and Avebury Manor, in the centre of Avebury village. Website: Alexander Keillor Museum English Heritage Location map OS SU099700 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Alford Manor House Museum    Beautiful thatched manor built in the 17th century contains the obligatory displays on local history, but also recreations of period scenes, including a cobbler's shop, a chemist's, and a Victorian veterinarian's premises. West Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, England, LN13 9DJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: on the A1111 Website: Alford Manor House Museum Email: info@alfordmanorhouse.co.uk Phone: 01507 463073 Location map OS TF453 760 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Amberley Working Museum    An open air museum dedicated to the industrial heritage of south east England. The museum covers 36 acres of exhibits, ranging from transportation to traditional crafts. Visitors can see craftspeople working at their trades, including pottery, blacksmithing, broom-making, and walking stick making. nr.Arundel, Amberley, West Sussex, England, BN18 9LT Attraction Type: Museum Website: Amberley Working Museum Email: office@amberleymuseum.co.uk Phone: 01798 831370 Location map OS TQ028123 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

American Museum and Gardens    Homesick for American landscapes? Or curious about the flora of the New World? The gardens at the American Museum are home to a collection of North American trees and shrubs, as well as a recreation of the garden at Mount Vernon, Virginia home of George Washington. Claverton Manor, Bath, Somerset, England, BA2 7BD Attraction Type: Museum Location: 2 m SE of city centre Website: American Museum and Gardens Email: info@americanmuseum.org Phone: 01225 460 503 Fax: 01225 469 160 Location map OS ST784640 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Amersham Museum    The museum is housed in a half-timbered merchant's hall dating from the 15th century. Within the hall are exhibits tracing the history and archaeology of the area, including medieval wall paintings, lacemaking, costumes, fossils, and local crafts. 49 High Street, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England, HP7 0DP Attraction Type: Museum Website: Amersham Museum Email: Curator@AmershamMuseum.org Phone: 01494 723 700 Location map OS SU957 974 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life    A museum of Thetford life, housed in an attractive, half-timbered, Tudor merchant's house. The house, which is Grade I listed, tells the fascinating history of Thetford and the Brecks region, through displays of industrial heritage, archaeology, photos, costumes, arms and armour, social history, fine art, and natural history. White Hart Street, Thetford, Norfolk, England, IP24 1AA Attraction Type: Museum Website: Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life Email: ancienthouse@norfolk.gov.uk Phone: 01842 752599 Location map OS TL869832 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Arundel Museum    Ongoing programme of changing displays detailing the rich history of Arundel and the surrounding area. The museum also operates a History Store, located at the Car Park in Mill Road, opposite the entrance to Arundel Castle. c/o The Town Hall, Maltravers Street Arundel, West Sussex, England, BN18 4AP Attraction Type: Museum Location: Located in temporary accommodation until the construction of new quarters, expected in 2010. Website: Arundel Museum Email: info@arundelmuseum.org.uk Phone: 01903 882456 Location map OS TQ017071 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Ashby Museum    A small museum standing almost in the shadow of historic Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle. Ashby Museum has exhibits of Ashby's past, with special attention devoted to the castle. There are displays of local archaeology, Roman history, maps, and basically anything related to Ashby's past. North Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England, LE65 1HU Attraction Type: Museum Location: Small charge. Free entry for English Heritage members, or ticket-holders to Ashby-de-la-Zouch Castle. Open all year. Website: Ashby Museum Phone: +44 (0)1530-560090 Location map OS SK358169 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Ashmolean Museum    The oldest museum in Britain, dating back to 1683. Exhibits from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Asia, focussing on ceramics, paintings, and silver. The prize exhibit, without a doubt, is the magnificent gold-encrusted "Alfred Jewel", a Saxon relic possibly made for Alfred the Great. Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 2PH Attraction Type: Museum Location: Closed until November 2009 for redevelopment. Website: Ashmolean Museum Phone: 01865 278000 Fax: 01865 278018 Location map Details of Ashmolean Museum OS SP512 066 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings    600 years worth of historic buildings rescued from demolition, ranging from a 15th century merchant's house to a 1946 prefab. Working windmill, a Victorian chainshop, and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection (so there's no excuse for not phoning home). Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, B60 4JR Attraction Type: Museum Location: on A38 Website: Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings Email: admin@avoncroft.org.uk Phone: 01527 831 363 Fax: 01527 876 934 Location map OS SO952 685 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bagshaw Museum    Located in a picturesque park setting, the Batley Museum houses exhibitions of local social history, and objects from Egypt, Asia and Africa, as well as displays of taxidermy. Wilton Park, Batley, Yorkshire, England, WF17 0AS Attraction Type: Museum Location: TEMPORARY CLOSURE Bagshaw Museum is closed for structural work and gallery developments jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Kirklees Council. The museum is due to reopen later in 2009. Website: Bagshaw Museum Email: bagshaw.museum@kirklees.gov.uk Phone: 01924 326 155 Fax: 01924 326 164 Location map OS SE235 258 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bailiffgate Museum    A museum of local history covering the historic town of Alnwick and the surrounding area. The museum is organized into six themed areas, including the Alnwick district history of agriculture, railways, and fishing, Border Riever country, local castles, and a history of the Freemen of Alnwick. 14 Bailiffgate, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, NE66 1LX Attraction Type: Museum Location: In the centre of Alnwick, a short stroll from the main entrance to Alnwick Castle. Website: Bailiffgate Museum Email: ask@bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk Phone: 01665 605847 Fax: 01665 605394 Location map OS NU184136 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden    The studio and sculpture garden owned by noted 20th century sculptor Barbara Hepworth are maintained by the Tate St. Ives museum as part of its committment to preserve and offer access to the best of modern British art. Hepworth created the garden before her death, and asked that the sculpture be displayed exactly as she had placed it. Barnoon Hill , St Ives, Cornwall, England, TR26 1AD Attraction Type: Museum Website: Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden Phone: 01736 796 226 Location map Details of Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden OS SW518 406 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Barley Hall    1980's discovery of medieval townhouse of the Priors of Nostell, restored to its late 15th century condition, the period when it was occupied by goldsmith Mayor of York, Alderman William Snawsell. 2 Coffee Yard, Stonegate York, Yorkshire, England, YO1 8AR Attraction Type: Museum Location: just S of York Minster Website: Barley Hall Email: barleyhall@yorkat.co.uk Phone: 01904 610 275 Fax: 01904 653 848 Location map Details of Barley Hall OS SE603 521 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bate Collection of Musical Instruments    Tucked away in the basement of the Faculty of Music, this wonderful museum has 300 year old keyboards, harpsichords, woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments on display. Oxford University Faculty of Music, St. Aldate's Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1DB Attraction Type: Museum Location: near the Cathedral on A420 Website: Bate Collection of Musical Instruments Email: bate.collection@music.ox.ac.uk Phone: 01865 276139 Fax: 01865 276128 Location map OS SP515 058 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bath Postal Museum    The museum traces the history of the postal service, including a recreation of a 19th century post office. 27 Northgate Street, Bath, Somerset, England, BA1 1AJ Attraction Type: Museum Website: Bath Postal Museum Email: info@bathpostalmuseum.org Phone: 01225 460 333 Location map OS ST751 650 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Battle Museum   An enjoyable museum of local history, with exhibits covering the heritage of Battle, the abbey, and the surrounding area. Diisplays run the gamut from prehistoric, Roman, medieval, Civil War, oral history, and more, with collections of genealogical material, old photographs, agriculture, and local industries. The Almonry, High Street Battle, East Sussex, England Attraction Type: Museum Location: At the top of High Street, a short walk from Battle Abbey. Small entry fee for adults Website: Battle Museum Phone: 01424 775955 OS TQ749168 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Beatrix Potter Gallery    Housed in a building that was once the office of the author's husband, the museum offers changing exhibits of original watercolour illustrations and sketches from her stories. Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, England, LA22 0NS Attraction Type: Museum Location: on B5285 Website: Beatrix Potter Gallery Email: beatrixpottergallery@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 015394 36355 Fax: 015394 36187 National Trust Location map Details of Beatrix Potter Gallery OS SD352 982 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Beckford's Tower    Climb the spiral staircase of the 120-foot neo-classical tower built in 1827 for William Beckford, writer, collector and patron of the arts. Museum houses items from his collection. Set in Victorian Cemetery housing Beckford's tomb. Lansdown Road, Bath, Somerset, England, BA1 9BH Attraction Type: Museum Website: Beckford's Tower Email: admin@bptrust.org.uk Phone: 01225 460 705 Fax: 01225 481 850 Location map OS ST738 676 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bedford Museum    Museum of the the geology, archaeology, natural history, and social history of the Bedford area, housed in the former Higgins Castle Brewery. Castle Lane, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, MK40 3XD Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the High Street, near the Embankment Website: Bedford Museum Email: bmuseum@bedford.gov.uk Phone: 01234 353 323 Fax: 01234 273 401 Location map Details of Bedford Museum OS TL052 499 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bewdley Museum    A unique museum wonderfully situated in an old historic butcher's 'shambles'. The museum features a combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, showcasing the heritage of Bewdley and area through a combination of static displays and hands-on activities for all ages. In addition, there are resident craftspeople in residence, covering crafts such as rope and clay pipe making, stained glass, ceramics, and cabinet making. Adjoining the museum is the lovely Jubilee Gardens, offering pleasant park walks along paved paths. Load Street, Bewdley, Worcestershire, England, DY12 2AE Attraction Type: Museum Website: Bewdley Museum Email: monica.rees@wyreforestdc.gov.uk Phone: 01299 403573 Fax: 01299 405306 Location map OS SO786753 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bexhill Museum    A museum of local social history, with an especially strnog collection of historic costumes. Displays range from the late 18th century to the present day, with collections of toys, objects of everyday life, dolls, embroidery, and hand-made lace. Egerton Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, England Attraction Type: Museum Website: Bexhill Museum OS TQ739078 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bilston Craft Gallery    High quality contemporary crafts in a friendly and informal environment. Visitors are invited to ask questions, bring the children, and enjoy! Many of the works are for sale. Mount Pleasant, Bilston, West Midlands, England, WV14 7LU Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A41 Website: Bilston Craft Gallery Email: bilstoncraftgallery@wolverhampton.gov.uk Phone: 01902 552507 Location map OS SO953 967 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Black Country Living Museum    Heritage buildings relocated from their original Black Country settings form this 26 acre urban living heritage museum. Working craftsmen, exhibition halls, underground coalmine, 1930s fish and chip shop, and much more. Tipton Road, West Midlands, Dudley, England, DY1 4SQ Attraction Type: Museum Location: on A4037, 3 m from M5 Junction 2 Website: Black Country Living Museum Email: info@bclm.co.uk Phone: 0121 557 9643 Location map OS SO951 916 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Blake Museum    A local history and archaeology museum in a historic house believed to be the birthplace of Admiral Robert Blake. Blake Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, England, TA6 3NB Attraction Type: Museum Website: Blake Museum Phone: 01278 456 127 Location map OS ST300103 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bognor Regis Museum    A small museum that tells the often fascinating story of this popular seaside town on the south coast of West Sussex. The museum is operated by the Bognor Regis Local History society, and covers a quite astonishing range of information, from the geology and archaeology of the region, to vintage photographs, cameras, toys, and a wide variety of displays covering every aspect of local life. 69 High Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England, PO21 1RY Attraction Type: Museum Location: Located 6 miles south west of Arundel, on the A259 Website: Bognor Regis Museum Phone: (01243) 865636 Location map OS SZ934989 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Boston Guildhall Museum   A museum housed in the historic 15th century guildhall, the site where the Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned in 1607 before sailing to America (the original prison cells can be viewed). Se a 16th century kitchen, and maritime and rural exhibits. St Mary's Guildhall, South Street Boston, Lincolnshire, England, PE21 6HT Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the A52 Email: enquiries@thehavengallery.org.uk Phone: 01205 365 954 Location map OS TF329 440 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bosworth Battlefield and Country Park    This is where the Middle Ages staggered to an end. On this field Richard III lost his kingdom and his life to Henry VII in 1485. There are displays and models of the battle in the visitor centre, along with armour, a theatre for film and live presentations, and battlefield trails. Sutton Cheney, Nuneaton, Leicestershire, England, CV13 0AD Attraction Type: Museum Location: on B585 Website: Bosworth Battlefield and Country Park Email: bosworth@leics.gov.uk Phone: 01455 290 429 Fax: 01455 292 841 Location map OS SK41381 006 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Brantwood    This beautifully situated house was the home of influential Victorian poet, artist, writer, and critic John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900. Brantwood is filled with Ruskin's personal effects, drawings, watercolours, and furniture. Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA21 8AD Attraction Type: Museum Location: Off the A593 or by regular boat service from Coniston Website: Brantwood Email: enquiries@brantwood.org.uk Phone: 015394 41396 Fax: 015394 41263 Location map Details of Brantwood OS SD307945 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Brighton Fishing Museum    The Brighton Fishing Museum is situated right on the seafront, in the heart of the historic fishing quarter. The museum traces the history of fishing in Brighton from the fashionable heyday of the Regency period to the present day. Among the displays are a 27 foot clinker built punt boat - the traditional raft used in this part of Sussex - plus old photographs, oral history exhibits, boating and fishing mementos, and a computer archive of boating records. 201 King's Road Arches, Brighton, East Sussex, England, BN1 1NB Attraction Type: Museum Location: Located on the seafront. Small parking area, with paid parking nearby. Website: Brighton Fishing Museum Phone: 01273 723064 Location map OS TQ309038 Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery   The largest museum in the region, Bristol's City Museum features a wide range of exhibits covering dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, British wildlife, minerals, fossils, ceramics, fine art and modern artwork. There are plenty of family activities and lots to interests children of any age. An excellent museum, and well worth a visit. Queen's Road, Bristol, Bristol, England, BS8 1RL Attraction Type: Museum Location: Located at the top of Park Street. At the time of writing, entry is free and the museum is open 7 days a week Website: Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery Email: general.museum@bristol.gov.uk Phone: 0117 922 3571 Fax: 0117 922 2047 Location map Details of Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery OS ST580732 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Bristol's Georgian House Museum    18th century townhouse offers a glimpse into the life of the times, above and below stairs. 7 Great George Street, West End Bristol, Bristol, England, BS1 5RR Attraction Type: Museum Email: general_museum@bristol-city.gov.uk Phone: 0117 921 1362 Fax: 0117 922 2047 Location map OS ST581729 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Buckinghamshire County Museum and Roald Dahl Childrens Gallery    The County Museum and Art Gallery is located in the centre of Aylesbury, in mostly 15th century buildings. The museum exhibits focus on the history and unique cultural heritage of the Buckinghamshire area through 8 themed exhibit areas, including Fossils, Celts and Romans, Jewellery, Clay and Brickmaking, Farming, Wood and Woodland, Lacemaking, and Villages of Buckinghamshire. Separate but sharing the same space is the Roald Dahl Childrens Gallery, lots of fun for the lighthearted of all ages. Church Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, HP20 2QP Attraction Type: Museum Website: Buckinghamshire County Museum and Roald Dahl Childrens Gallery Email: museum@buckscc.gov.uk Phone: 01296 331 441 Fax: 01296 334 884 Location map Details of Buckinghamshire County Museum and Roald Dahl Childrens Gallery OS SP818 139 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Building of Bath Museum    Innovative hands-on exploration of the development of the Georgian city. The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, The Vineyards, The Paragon Bath, Somerset, England, BA1 5NA Attraction Type: Museum Location: in city centre Website: Building of Bath Museum Email: admin@bptrust.org.uk Phone: 01225 333 895 Fax: 01225 445 473 Bath Preservation Trust Location map OS ST7506 654 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

Burwell Museum of Fen Edge Village Life    Learn what village life was like on the edge of the Cambridgeshire fens. Early 19th century working windmill, forge, and lots more. Mill Close, Burwell, Cambridgeshire, England Attraction Type: Museum Location: in Burwell, 5 miles NW of Newmarket on B1103 Website: Burwell Museum of Fen Edge Village Life Email: museum@burwellmuseum.org.uk Phone: 01638 605 544 Heritage Rating:   ? Nearest attractions and accommodation     Nearest: hotels - cottages - Bed and Breakfasts

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