Oakham Treasures
A privately owned museum on a Somerset farm with recreated old-fashioned shops and a large display of vintage tractors and farm machinery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Oakham Treasures is a privately owned museum of retail and farming history on Oakham Farm at Portbury, near Bristol. It grew out of one farmer's lifelong habit of collecting. He began gathering old farm machinery in the 1960s as a sideline to dealing in used equipment, and over time kept more of what he loved than he sold.
He later turned to shop memorabilia and built up a recreated high street from the 20th century, including a grocery store, a haberdashery, a hardware store, a chemist, a tobacconist and off licence, and a sweet shop. Most of the objects were found at auctions and through word of mouth. The family catalogued and arranged the displays themselves, and the museum is still run by the owner's family without outside staff.
The museum opened to the public in July 2008 and has since won awards. Its aim is to give visitors of all ages a nostalgic look at everyday goods and packaging from the last century. Alongside the shops there is a display of vintage tractors and farm equipment, and a café on site. The museum says it can no longer accept more items for display.
Highlights
- Recreated old grocery store stocked with historic brands and packaging
- Further period shops: haberdashery, hardware, chemist, tobacconist and sweet shop
- Display of vintage tractors and farm equipment
- Thousands of items of 20th-century memorabilia in historic stores
- On-site café and free parking
Permanent exhibitions
- Old high street shops – Recreated shops from the 20th century, including a grocery store, haberdashery, hardware store, chemist, tobacconist and off licence, and sweet shop, filled with original stock and packaging.
- Tractor and farm museum – A display of vintage tractors and farm equipment from the collection that started the museum.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Privately owned (Oakham Farm)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £11 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £10Seniors and carers |
| Children & teens | £8free up to age 5 · Children aged 6 to 16 pay £8; children under 6 are free. |
| Seniors | £10 |
| Visitors with disabilities | £10Carers pay £10. |
| Groups (20+ people) | –Large groups are priced on application; the Saturday discount does not apply to groups. |
Accessibility
- 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
The museum describes itself as fully accessible and provides an access statement on request. Only assistance dogs (with paperwork) are allowed.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
The museum describes itself as suitable for all ages. Children aged 6 to 16 pay a reduced price, and the café has a children's menu.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
A bus stop is at the entrance. For routes and times, the museum advises calling Bristol Bus Station on 0345 646 0707. The X4 service stops on Martcombe Road, about a mile away, but the walk has no pavements and the museum advises against it.
By car
Free parking
Free car and coach parking on site.
A What3Words location is given on the museum website.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Acorns Café serves meals, snacks, cakes and drinks Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm, with a children's menu. There is a small gift shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Photography | Cameras and video recorders may be used for private use only. |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Groups of 20 or more must book in advance. The building is climate controlled. |
