Newent Market House Museum

About the museum

Newent Market House Museum is housed in the historic Market House in Market Square, Newent. Newent Town Council describes the building as dating from 1668, when it was built as a butter market, and its builder left a ball-and-flute mark that can still be seen on the under-beams. In the early 1900s it served as a fire station, and today the council also holds meetings in it.

The heritage exhibition is staffed by volunteer stewards. Printed history boards follow the story of Newent from the Bronze Age through the Roman period to the 21st century, and a display of locally discovered archaeological finds adds to this. The museum also has children’s books, publications from history groups in nearby villages and a room about local music-making, which covers the record producer Joe Meek, who was born in Market Square, and the composer Rutland Boughton, who lived locally.

Highlights

• History boards from the Bronze Age to the 21st century
• Archaeological finds from the Newent area
• Room on Joe Meek and the composer Rutland Boughton
• Historic Market House with the builder’s ball-and-flute mark on its beams

Permanent exhibition

• Newent heritage exhibition – History boards covering Newent from the Bronze Age to today, local archaeological finds and a room on local musicians.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Newent Town Council (volunteer stewards)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Visiting is free; there is a donation box for the upkeep of the building.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Access is by a flight of stairs only, and the museum is not accessible by wheelchair or pushchair.

Kids & families

The museum has a collection of children’s books.

Getting there & parking

Newent is just off the B4215 between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye, and the town centre is well signposted.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There are no facilities in the museum; the town centre has cafes and public toilets.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit