Hendred Museum
Free village museum in the 15th-century Champs Chapel at East Hendred, with local history, a Second World War exhibition and a horse-drawn fire pump.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Hendred Museum is housed in the Chapel of Jesus of Bethlehem, a Grade I listed building of 1453 built for Carthusian monks from Sheen who had settled in East Hendred around 1415. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s it was closed and sold, and it is known locally as Champs Chapel. The museum is run by the East Hendred Heritage Trust.
It shows a selection of the village's artefacts, pictures, documents, books and photographs, and items not on display can often be viewed on a computer. The current exhibition covers East Hendred, the Second World War and the nearby Harwell site. The museum keeps a reserve store at Snells Hall, where the village's horse-drawn, hand-powered fire pump of 1831 is kept.
The museum opens on weekend afternoons from April to October and by arrangement at other times. It welcomes school groups, and the Second World War exhibition suits the Year 6 curriculum.
Highlights
- Grade I listed 15th-century Carthusian chapel
- Exhibition on East Hendred, the Second World War and Harwell
- Horse-drawn village fire pump of 1831
- Village photographs, documents and books
- Free entry
Permanent exhibitions
- East Hendred, the Second World War and Harwell – An exhibition on village life in the war and the nearby Harwell research site, now in its second year.
- Village fire pump – The village's horse-drawn, hand-powered fire pump of 1831, kept at Snells Hall.
- Operated by
- East Hendred Heritage Trust
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; donations are welcome because the museum relies mainly on public support.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom: not available
- 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 chapel is small. Most of the important items have been moved to the ground floor, and a computer there gives an interactive preview of the first floor, which visitors with mobility difficulties may struggle to reach. Staff can usually help. The museum has no toilets; accessible toilets are available at the Eyston Arms.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Didcot Parkway station
By rail to Didcot Parkway (about 5 miles away), then a taxi or bus X32 or 32A.
By car
The village streets are narrow and parking can be tight; spaces may be found on High Street or Chapel Square.
By car take the A417 west from the Harwell junction of the A34, follow signs to Wantage and turn left as soon as you reach the village. The museum is at Chapel Square in the centre of East Hendred.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | School groups are welcome by arrangement through the contact page. |
