Amersham Museum

About the museum

Amersham Museum is housed in a 15th-century half-timbered hall house at 49 High Street in Old Amersham, together with a Victorian building and a former post office next door. The hall house is Grade II listed. The museum first opened to the public in 1991 and is an independent charity run almost entirely by volunteers.

In 2001 the front of the building was extended with help from lottery funding. A larger redevelopment finished in 2017 and took in the neighbouring former post office, which allowed an introductory gallery, a space for activities and temporary exhibitions, collection stores, an adapted toilet and a lift to be added, along with a glass reception and shop. In 2024 the museum reopened a new temporary exhibition gallery named after the Austrian émigré artist Marie-Louise von Motesiczky, who lived in Amersham during the Second World War.

The displays tell the town's story through five key dates, 1580, 1775, 1892, 1939 and 1964, and include fossils, Roman and medieval finds and material on local crafts such as chair-making, lace-making and straw plaiting. There is also a medicinal herb garden at the back.

Highlights

• Medieval hall house with a Tudor dinner table, a 1930s living room and a 1960s record shop
• Timeline of the town's history from fossils to dolls' houses
• Local craft displays on chair-making, lace-making and straw plaiting
• Medicinal herb garden
• Objects to touch and discovery bags for visitors with additional needs

Permanent exhibitions

• Timeline galleries – Introduce the history of Amersham through five key dates, with fossils, medieval tiles, maps and everyday objects.
• Medieval hall house – Rooms in the 15th-century house show a Tudor dining table, a 1930s living room and Ron Haddock's 1960s record shop.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Amersham Museum (independent registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Standard adult admission is £7; the Gift Aid price is £8. Free entry for Friends of the Museum, Museums Association members and Young Archaeologists Club members (with card) and for teachers on a pre-arranged visit. Chiltern Society members get 2-for-1 entry and Art Fund Pass holders pay half price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The garden patio gives wheelchair access to the whole garden, and a platform lift serves the first floor of the Victorian building. The 15th-century building has low ceilings, uneven floors and other restrictions. Handrails were added to the stairs in 2024 and the indoor toilet has accessible fittings. There are objects to touch, free sensory discovery bags and a 'Take a Break' box to borrow, and a visual story and virtual tour help with planning.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

The museum runs family events and a Time Travel Trail around Old Amersham, and in school holidays holds SEND-friendly family opening sessions. Free discovery bags with sensory items can be borrowed and many objects can be touched.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the High Street in Old Amersham. Visitor reviews mention free parking nearby, but the museum does not publish parking details.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A modern glass reception houses the museum shop. Information for visitors is also available through the Bloomberg Connects app.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit