Clare Ancient House Museum
Volunteer-run museum in a Grade I listed, pargeted timber-framed house in Clare, Suffolk, with a permanent display on the town’s medieval history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ancient House in Clare is a Grade I listed timber-framed building, recognised as being of national importance and famous for its decorative pargeting. The west wing on the High Street is thought to date from the fourteenth century, and the more richly decorated east wing may have been built in 1473, a date that appears in the plasterwork. Over the years the house served as a workhouse and a bakery.
In 1938 a local businessman, Charles Byford, gave the house to the town of Clare to be put to a useful public purpose. A museum was established there in 1979, and with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and St Edmundsbury District Council it was completely redesigned and reopened in 1999.
The museum is run entirely by volunteers and trustees and receives no external funding. A permanent exhibition looks at Clare’s place in medieval history, and since 2023 a new themed exhibition has been staged every year with help from local residents and businesses. The 2026 exhibition, which closed on 28 September, showed finds from the area, from fossils to medieval coins. Volunteers sell home-made jams, chutneys and marmalades to raise funds.
Highlights
- Grade I listed timber-framed house with fine pargeting
- West wing from the fourteenth century, east wing dated 1473
- Permanent display on Clare in medieval history
- Archaeological finds from the River Stour, including a Neolithic axe head
- Free entry
Permanent exhibition
- Clare in medieval history – A permanent display on Clare’s place in medieval history, together with finds such as a Neolithic axe head and a Romano-British pot.
- Founded
- 1979
- Operated by
- Clare Ancient House Museum (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free; donations are welcome because the museum is run entirely by volunteers.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Volunteers sell home-made jams, jellies, chutneys and marmalades to raise funds.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
