Potters Bar Museum

About the museum

Potters Bar Museum tells the story of how Potters Bar grew from a small village on the Great North Road into a modern town. It opened in 1990 and stands facing the timber-framed Wyllyotts Manor, part of which dates from the 14th century. The site is believed to have been occupied since the Iron Age and certainly since Roman times.

Pottery and other artefacts found during the building of the Wyllyotts Centre are on show, alongside natural history items, fossils, local geological specimens and Mesolithic stone tools. A hoard of Roman silver coins found in the district is displayed with examples of Roman pottery made in a kiln excavated in the 1950s, and finds from the motte-and-bailey castle at South Mimms are also shown.

The largest display covers the Zeppelin L31, shot down over Potters Bar in 1916, with relics of the airship. Other collections include novelty telephones that visitors may touch, Merit toys and photographs of the town’s past. The stewards are volunteers from the Potters Bar and District Historical Society, a registered charity, and Hertsmere Borough Council provides the accommodation and most of the running costs.

Highlights

• Relics of Zeppelin L31, shot down in 1916
• Roman silver coin hoard and Roman pottery
• Finds from South Mimms motte-and-bailey castle
• Collection of novelty telephones, some to touch
• Merit toy collection and historic photographs

Permanent exhibitions

• Zeppelin L31 – The museum’s largest display, with relics and photographs from the First World War airship shot down over Potters Bar in 1916.
• Roman coin hoard and local finds – A hoard of Roman silver coins, Roman pottery from a local kiln and finds from South Mimms castle and the Wyllyotts site.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Potters Bar and District Historical Society (registered charity 1200797)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

The museum is on the first floor of the Wyllyotts Centre and is reached by a public lift to the left of reception; the front entrance has a ramp with handrails as well as six steps, and the entrance doors open automatically. A wheelchair can be borrowed at reception and motorised scooters are allowed. On-street Blue Badge bays are on Wyllyotts Place. The accessible toilet is on the ground floor. There is no hearing assistance system, and tactile signage, Braille signage and touch tours are not available. Music from the adjacent theatre can sometimes be heard.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are in the accessible toilet on the ground floor.

Getting there & parking

By road, take the A1(M) southbound to the B556; the museum is under 10 minutes’ drive from junction 24 of the M25.

Amenities & dining

• Café

The Wyllyotts café downstairs serves coffee and snacks until it closes; no food or drink is allowed inside the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit