Emsworth Museum

About the museum

Emsworth Museum grew out of a trust formed in 1975 by local resident David Rudkin, originally to save an old oyster smack hulk. When that plan failed for lack of funds, the group was renamed the Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust in 1982 and turned to collecting and preserving artefacts, documents and photographs from the town and its harbour.

Havant Borough Council offered the trust the hall of the old council offices above the fire station in North Street. The museum opened there in 1988. The building was put up in 1900 for Warblington Urban District Council and housed its offices and council chamber until the council merged with Havant.

Today the museum is run and funded entirely by volunteers and is an Arts Council accredited museum. It covers the people, businesses and organisations of Emsworth, with a permanent exhibition in the main room, a gallery on the Victorian oyster industry and a display on P. G. Wodehouse, whose Lord Emsworth stories link him to the town. Temporary exhibitions, talks and guided history walks run alongside.

Highlights

• Gallery on Emsworth's oyster industry and its dramatic end
• Permanent exhibition on the writer P. G. Wodehouse and Emsworth
• Items salvaged from the harbour and the town's past
• Local history talks and summer guided walks
• Exhibition rooms in the former council chamber of 1900

Permanent exhibitions

• Emsworth permanent exhibition – The main room shows items and documents salvaged from Emsworth's harbour and town history.
• The oyster industry – A gallery on the oyster trade that boomed in the late 19th century and collapsed after a contaminated-oyster scandal.
• P. G. Wodehouse – A permanent display on the author, linked to the town through his Lord Emsworth stories.

Founded

1988

Operated by

Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The museum is on the first floor of the old town hall. A stairlift and a ramp between the rooms are available; ask a volunteer. A museum wheelchair can be borrowed and the accessible toilet is unlocked on request. Only assistance and guide dogs can be admitted. Some exhibits have QR codes linking to online descriptions.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

A public car park next to the museum is also the drop-off point for visitors with mobility needs. Bus and train services are within walking distance; the museum does not name specific stops.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop purchases; Art Fund members receive a discount.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit