Curtis Museum
Free local history museum in Alton, Hampshire, with Anglo-Saxon finds, Civil War objects, the Sweet Fanny Adams story and a children's gallery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Curtis Museum in Alton was founded by William Curtis (1803–1881), a local man with a strong interest in the natural sciences. In 1837 he helped start the Alton Mechanics Institute, a society where he could share his enthusiasm with the men of the town, and he created a museum in the institute's building in Market Street.
Curtis then helped raise the money for the building on the High Street that houses the museum today. As the collection grew, it gradually spread into every room, and it still includes fossils that belonged to him.
The museum now tells the story of the Alton area over about 100 million years. Among its best-known objects is the Alton Buckle, a silver-gilt belt buckle with filigree and garnet inlay that was found in an Anglo-Saxon warrior's grave during excavations at Mount Pleasant in 1959 to 1961. It is considered the finest piece of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship found in Hampshire. Other displays cover a Roman enamel cup, hop growing and brewing, the Battle of Alton in 1643, the writer Elizabeth Gaskell and the botanist William Curtis, who was born in the town in 1746 and founded the Botanical Magazine.
The museum also has a childhood gallery of toys and dolls, a local studies area for research, and a programme of family activities and events. It is run today by Hampshire Cultural Trust with the help of a volunteer team.
Highlights
- Alton Buckle, the finest Anglo-Saxon metalwork found in Hampshire
- Rare Roman enamel cup and Saxon burial finds
- 1643 Battle of Alton with a Civil War helmet, breastplate and sword
- The story of Sweet Fanny Adams
- Childhood gallery of toys and dolls from the 18th century
- Local studies area for research
Permanent exhibitions
- Local history of Alton – Displays on the Alton area, including the Alton Buckle, Saxon burials, hop growing and brewing, the Battle of Alton and the story of Sweet Fanny Adams.
- Childhood gallery – Toys, dolls, games and jigsaw puzzles from the 18th century to the present, shown at a child-friendly height.
- Operated by
- Hampshire Cultural Trust
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free and there is no need to book.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There is level access to the ground floor only. Assistance dogs are welcome if they are clearly identifiable.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum offers children's activities such as dressing-up costumes, trails and workshops, and a childhood gallery with toys, dolls, games and jigsaws displayed at a child's height. Seasonal fact trails and family events are listed on the Hampshire Cultural Trust website.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Alton railway station · 5-min walk
Alton railway station is within walking distance, about a five-minute walk from the museum. Buses from the surrounding major towns all terminate at the station.
By car
Paid parking
Public pay-and-display parking is available nearby.
The museum is near the centre of Alton on the High Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
There is a museum shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Schools can run self-led visits for Key Stages 1 and 2 using downloadable trail packs; a class of up to 34 must be split into groups of six or seven, each with an adult. Slots are arranged with the volunteer team by phone. |
