Castle Cary and District Museum

About the museum

Castle Cary and District Museum is on the first floor of the Market House, a mid-Victorian building in the centre of the town, made of local Cary stone. Local people proposed the market hall in 1853 so that corn, cheese, butter, meat and other produce could be sold under cover, and it was completed in 1856 to a design by F. Penrose. The venture never paid a dividend to its shareholders, but the hall has served the town ever since.

The museum's displays are spread over two floors. They include local fossils, among them ammonites and the story of an ichthyosaurus discovered at Alford, and a collection of domestic items, agricultural implements and tools. A section is devoted to Douglas Macmillan, who was born and died in Castle Cary and founded Macmillan Cancer Support, and the diarist Parson James Woodforde also features. Horsehair weaving, once big business in the town, is shown through the story of John Boyd Textiles, whose works still weaves horsehair fabric.

The museum also keeps an archive of original documents from the mid-eighteenth century onwards and a library on Castle Cary, Ansford and the surrounding district. These can be consulted by arrangement with the museum archivist.

Highlights

• Local fossils including ammonites and the Alford ichthyosaurus
• Display on Macmillan Cancer Support founder Douglas Macmillan
• Horsehair weaving and the John Boyd Textiles story
• Domestic and agricultural implements
• Archive and library on Castle Cary and district

Permanent exhibitions

• Fossils and geology – Local fossils, including ammonites and the discovery of an ichthyosaurus at Alford.
• Douglas Macmillan and local notables – A display on the founder of Macmillan Cancer Support, who was born and died in Castle Cary, with other people from the town.
• Local industry and horsehair weaving – Domestic and agricultural objects, plus the story of horsehair weaving and John Boyd Textiles.

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 on the first floor of the Market House and is reached by a stone spiral stairway. Toilet facilities are available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Market House in the centre of Castle Cary.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit