Market Lavington Museum

About the museum

Market Lavington Museum is a small village museum in the old schoolmaster’s house, tucked away beside the churchyard and behind the Old School. It records the working and social life of Market Lavington and the neighbouring village of Easterton, mainly from Victorian times to the present day. The collection reaches much further back, however, from a Saxon settlement found at Grove Farm to recent recollections of the pandemic.

Market Lavington grew as a market town around local farming and market gardening, and the displays reflect this. They are grouped into five themes: trades, clothing, a family home, agriculture and military matters. A Victorian kitchen and objects from the village’s historic trades are among the favourites with visitors.

The museum is a registered charity run by volunteers and relies on visitor donations. It also offers a 360-degree virtual tour and a curator’s blog on its website, and welcomes school groups and other organisations by arrangement.

Highlights

• Victorian kitchen and objects from old village trades
• Five themed displays: trades, clothing, a family home, agriculture and military matters
• Local history from a Saxon settlement to pandemic memories
• Free entry, with dressing-up clothes and traditional games for children
• Online 360-degree virtual tour

Permanent exhibition

• Village collections – Displays on trades, clothing, a family home, agriculture and military matters, telling the story of Market Lavington and Easterton.

Founded

1984

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free. Visitors can leave a donation during their visit or online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The direct route to the museum includes steep steps behind the Old School. Wheelchair users are advised to use the stone path from the car park around the back of St Mary’s church. There is no disabled access to the upper floor, but stewards can bring objects downstairs on request. One disabled parking bay is in the car park, reached from St Mary’s Road. Only assistance dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children are particularly welcome. They can dress up in period clothes and play traditional games.

Getting there & parking

The museum stands behind the Old School in Church Street, beside St Mary’s church.

Amenities & dining

Visitors can use the toilets in the Old School next door.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit