Chertsey Museum

About the museum

Chertsey Museum is the local authority museum for the Borough of Runnymede. It opened in 1965 in the Old Town Hall in Chertsey and was first run by volunteers under Chertsey Urban District Council. In the early 1970s the council went into partnership with the Olive Matthews Trust and the museum moved to its present home, The Cedars, a house dating from 1810. Chertsey and Egham councils then merged into Runnymede, and the museum became the museum for the whole borough. An extension built in 2003 provides an education space.

The museum is funded by Runnymede Borough Council with support from the Olive Matthews Collection Trust. The Runnymede Room tells the story of the borough, with Bronze Age and Iron Age finds, medieval tiles from Chertsey Abbey and a tenth-century Viking sword. The Olive Matthews Collection of dress and textiles is shown with a gallery of fashion accessories, and the museum also holds clocks, ceramics, silver and fine and decorative art. A free audio guide covers six display spaces.

Highlights

• Runnymede Room with Chertsey Abbey tiles and a tenth-century Viking sword
• Olive Matthews Collection of dress and textiles
• Accessories Gallery of bags, fans, shoes, hats and lace
• Free izi.Travel audio guide for adults and younger visitors
• Garden suitable for picnics

Permanent exhibitions

• Runnymede Room – A local history gallery with over 100 objects, including Bronze Age and Iron Age finds, Chertsey Abbey tiles and a tenth-century Viking sword, plus a computer interactive on local people and places.
• Accessories Gallery – A purpose-built gallery showing fashion accessories from the Olive Matthews Collection, such as bags, fans, shoes, hats and lace, regularly re-displayed.

Founded

1965

Operated by

Runnymede Borough Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free; donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 has flat access throughout and a lift to the upper floors. Adapted toilets offer disabled access and baby changing. There is one blue badge bay outside the museum. The free audio guide has a version for blind or partially sighted visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

The museum runs a Young Archaeologists' Club and school sessions, and the audio guide has a version for younger visitors. Adapted toilets include baby changing.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 20 miles from central London, just off the M25 at junction 11.

Amenities & dining

The museum has a garden that is suitable for picnics.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit