Banbury Museum & Gallery

About the museum

Banbury Museum & Gallery sits beside the Oxford Canal in the centre of Banbury, next to the Castle Quay shopping centre. A museum was first founded in the town in the 1940s, with the collection initially kept in the town library. It then moved to Banbury Cross, where it stayed from 1980 to 1999.

The present purpose-built building was designed by ECD Architects of London, who won a competition run by Cherwell District Council and RIBA Competitions, and opened in 2002. The museum is run by a charitable trust and supported by Cherwell District Council. A bridge from the shopping centre leads to the museum, where the tourist information centre is also located.

The Banbury Gallery on the first floor covers the town's past, from Bronze Age finds and Saxon jewellery to the Civil War, plush cloth, locally made tools and costume from the 17th century on. The Waterways Gallery crosses the canal and tells the story of people who lived and worked on the Oxford Canal. The Pye Gallery shows a changing programme of paid exhibitions, and the Rosemarie Higham Library holds around 1,000 books on Banbury's history.

Highlights

• Saxon square-headed brooch found at Hornton
• Civil War cannon from Banbury Castle
• Wardington carriers cart and Banbury plush cloth
• 1957 Alcan mural from the Banbury laboratories
• Waterways Gallery spanning the Oxford Canal
• Pye Gallery with changing exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Banbury Gallery – First-floor gallery on Banbury's history, from Bronze Age and Saxon objects to the Civil War, plush cloth and local costume.
• Waterways Gallery – A gallery crossing the Oxford Canal about the people who lived and worked on the waterway.

Founded

1940

Operated by

Banbury Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the museum, including the Banbury and Waterways galleries, is free and needs no booking. Admission charges apply to temporary exhibitions in the Pye Gallery and to events; concessions cover those aged 65 and over, students and unwaged visitors.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is step-free from both entrances and has lift access to all floors. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, and the Castle Quay shopping centre has Changing Places facilities. The education studio has a hearing loop. There is no accessible parking at the museum; the nearest accessible bays are at Castle Quay North 1 off Spiceball Park Road, with level access to the rear entrance, and at Castle Quay South, with lift access to the shop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes itself as family friendly, with baby changing facilities on all floors.

Getting there & parking

The main entrance is in the Castle Quay shopping centre; there is also a rear entrance on Spiceball Park Road. The museum is reached from junction 11 of the M40.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Gwen's Canalside Café serves hot drinks, cakes, pastries and hot meals, with a Sunday roast. The museum shop and welcome centre is in the Castle Quay entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 60 guests.

The Rosemarie Higham Library takes up to 20 guests and the education studio up to 60 theatre style, both with AV equipment. Hire is available during opening hours.

Plan your visit