Whittlesey Museum
Small volunteer-run local museum in the former town hall and fire engine house of Whittlesey, covering the Fenland town from prehistory to today.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Whittlesey Museum was founded in 1976 as an independent charitable trust to collect and look after the natural and cultural heritage of Whittlesey and the surrounding villages. It later gained Arts Council accreditation and works alongside other small Fenland museums.
The museum occupies the ground floor of the Grade II listed Town Hall on Market Street. The building was completed in 1825 with a fire station below and an assembly room above, and in 1857 it was remodelled in the Italianate style. From 1894 it housed the offices of the urban district council. Today the galleries fill the former caretaker's cottage and the old fire engine house, and a courtyard behind holds outdoor displays.
The collection runs to more than 9,000 objects as well as photographs and documents. It covers archaeology, costume and textiles, natural science, coins and medals, and the social and industrial life of Whittlesey, Coates, Eastrea, Pondersbridge and Turves. Because space is limited, only part of the collection is shown at any time, and seasonal displays bring other items out. The museum also opens specially for local events with themed displays.
Highlights
- Costumes and memorabilia of the Whittlesey Straw Bear festival
- Local experiences of the First and Second World Wars
- Prehistoric and early medieval finds from local excavations
- Courtyard display of brickmaking, railway items and a forge workshop
- Children's toys and books donated by local people
Permanent exhibitions
- Straw Bear Festival – Costumes and memorabilia from Whittlesey's annual Straw Bear festival.
- The World Wars – Local experiences of both wars told through objects and personal stories.
- Agricultural and Industrial History – An outdoor display of machinery, local bricks, railway items and a reconstructed workshop.
- Founded
- 1976
- Operated by
- Independent charitable trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £2.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £0.75 |
Adults £2.50, children 75p. The museum relies on entry fees and donations.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- Accessible restroom
- 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
A ramp can be provided at the entrance and all displays are on the ground floor. Some doorways are not wheelchair accessible, but alternative routes are available. There is an accessible toilet; there are no baby changing facilities.
Kids & families
- Baby changing facilities: not available
The permanent displays include a children's toys and books gallery. There are no baby changing facilities.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Whittlesea railway station
A short walk from Whittlesea railway station; several bus routes serve the town centre.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
No dedicated parking. Free car parks are in the town centre and there are free short-stay bays on Market Street. The Black Bull pub car park is for customers only.
The museum's What3Words address is firewall.roaring.clinking.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café: not available
- Restaurant: not available
No refreshments on site; cafes, tea rooms, pubs and restaurants are nearby.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
