Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery
Independent museum in Petersfield's former police station and courthouse, with local archaeology, fashion, photography and the Flora Twort art collection.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Petersfield Museum opened in 1999 in the town's old magistrates' courthouse. It was founded by the Petersfield Area Historical Society and is run as an independent, accredited charity.
The museum now occupies the former police station on St Peter's Road, built in 1858, with the courthouse of 1893 standing behind it. A redevelopment costing nearly £4 million, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was carried out between 2017 and 2021 and created the present galleries, shop, courtyard and learning spaces.
The collections reflect the history and people of Petersfield and the surrounding area. The archaeology collection draws largely on a project that excavated Bronze Age burial mounds on Petersfield Heath. Other strengths are social history, a large archive of photographs and postcards, and the Bedales Historic Dress Collection, which includes clothing from the early 18th century.
The museum also looks after the work of the local watercolour and pastel artist Flora Twort (1893 to 1985), whose cottage, studio and paintings passed to the museum's trust in 2009. A separate Edward Thomas Centre in the courtyard honours the poet who lived nearby and holds a large private library of books given by the family of Tim Wilton-Steer.
Highlights
- Flora Twort art collection
- Bronze Age finds from Petersfield Heath
- Bedales Historic Dress Collection (from the 18th century)
- Edward Thomas Centre dedicated to the poet
- Photograph and postcard archive of the local area
- Changing art and local history exhibitions
Permanent exhibitions
- Petersfield Gallery – Displays on the archaeology, social history and photography of Petersfield and the surrounding area, including finds from Bronze Age burial mounds on the Heath.
- Flora Twort Art Collection – Watercolours and pastels by the Petersfield artist Flora Twort, shown alongside the museum’s fashion and textiles collection.
- Edward Thomas Centre – A small centre in the courtyard dedicated to the poet Edward Thomas, built around the Tim Wilton-Steer collection of books and papers.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery Ltd
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £3Art Fund members (bring your membership card) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Under-18s are free. |
| Groups (10+ people) | £4.50 per personGroups of 10 or more pay £4.50 each (contact the museum in advance); groups of 30 or more pay £4.25 each and the organiser is free. |
| Families | –All under-18s are admitted free. |
| Group of 30 or more (per person) | £4.25The group organiser goes free. |
| School group (per pupil) | £3Teachers are free. |
General admission is £5. Members of the Museums Association are admitted free with their membership card, and Friends and Supporters of the museum have unlimited entry. Tickets can be bought online or at the Welcome Desk in the shop. Wednesday visits include a 2-for-1 entry offer under the Meet Me at the Museum programme. Events have their own prices.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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 site is fully accessible to wheelchair users and buggies, although visitors must double back to avoid a few steps at the end of the Petersfield Gallery. Accessible toilets by the Welcome Desk and in the Courthouse. Fixed hearing loop at the Welcome Desk. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free from the Welcome Desk. All service dogs are welcome. Large-print labels in each gallery, free sensory backpacks and Sunflower lanyards are available. One accessible parking space at the front cannot be booked in advance. Benches throughout and more seating in the courtyard.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Under-18s are free. Regular family sessions include Mischief Makers for under-5s on Tuesdays and Creative Saturdays. Buggies are welcome and can be left near the Welcome Desk at the owner’s risk; baby changing is in the accessible toilet by the Welcome Desk and in the Courthouse.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Petersfield railway station · 10-min walk
Petersfield railway station (Portsmouth Direct line) is about a 10-minute walk away. From the station take the Lavant Street exit, turn right onto Chapel Street and continue to The Square; St Peter’s Road is in the opposite corner, between Café Nero and St Peter’s Church.
By car
Paid parking
Nearby pay and display car parks by the Tesco and Waitrose supermarkets allow stays of up to 3 hours; all-day pay and display parking is available at the Festival Hall.
- Accessible parking
Petersfield is reached from the A3 or A272. The museum is in the centre of town in the old police station and courthouse.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum shop sells locally sourced gifts and also serves as the Welcome Desk.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Hireable spaces are the Meeting Room, the Courthouse, the Courtyard and the whole site, suitable for meetings, conferences, workshops and events.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Curator tours take place on Thursdays. There is no audio guide, but tablets in the Petersfield Gallery carry QR codes that give access to interpretation on visitors’ own devices. Learning programmes cover Key Stages 1 to 4, with loan boxes (Time Travelling Trunks). |
