West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village

About the museum

West Stow is the site of an Anglo-Saxon settlement that was lived in from about AD 420 to 650, more than 400 years before the Norman Conquest. The remains of the village were excavated, and the finds made it one of the major archaeological sites in England. The West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village Trust was set up in 1976, when three houses had been reconstructed, and it became a registered charity in 1977.

On the excavated site, buildings have been rebuilt using the evidence from the ground. The village now has eight reconstructed buildings, including a hall, a sunken-floored house, a weaving house, a craft building and a workshop. Visitors can go inside the houses and see how the Anglo-Saxon farming community lived and worked.

The village stands in a country park of about 125 acres, and the site also has indoor galleries with finds, a film, and a visitor centre. Rare breed pigs and chickens are kept in the village. The site is owned and managed by West Suffolk Council, whose heritage team runs it day to day for the trust, and it hosts re-enactments, festivals and workshops throughout the year.

Highlights

• Eight reconstructed Anglo-Saxon buildings on the original settlement site
• Museum and galleries with finds from the excavations
• Dressing up in Anglo-Saxon clothing and a children's trail
• Rare breed pigs and chickens in the village
• Country park with a play park and heathland walks
• Re-enactments and living history events

Permanent exhibitions

• Reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village – Eight rebuilt Anglo-Saxon buildings on the site of the original settlement, with rare breed animals and living history events.
• Museum and galleries – Indoor galleries and a film showing finds and everyday life of the Anglo-Saxon community, with child-friendly activities.

Founded

1976

Operated by

West Suffolk Council (for the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village Trust)

Admission & discounts

Day tickets are bought on the door and cover one day's entry to one museum. Entry to living history and event days is free with a ticket unless stated otherwise, though some special events are priced separately. Parking is charged separately.

Accessibility

• Partially 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 museum, visitor centre and café can be reached by ramps and gravel paths and are wheelchair accessible. The village is accessible, but help is recommended because part of the route is unpaved and sloping, and the Anglo-Saxon houses are accessible with assistance. Two park paths down to the river are inclined and also need assistance. Accessible toilets are in the car park, the visitor centre, the museum and the café, and induction loops are installed in the visitor centre and café. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site, and Blue Badge holders pay a flat £2 per day for parking.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum has child-friendly activities and a children's trail, and visitors can dress up in Anglo-Saxon clothing. The country park has a play park and a Beowulf and Grendel trail. Baby changing is available in the accessible toilets in the car park, visitor centre, museum and café.

Getting there & parking

The site is on Icklingham Road in West Stow, Suffolk.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café is just outside the visitor centre and is open to ticket holders and to visitors to the park and playground. The site also has a shop. Food and drink may not be taken into the visitor centre, museum or village.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit