Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy Generator

Market Hall Museum

Market Hall Museum is located in the Market Hall, a 17th-century landmark in the heart of Warwick. Refurbished in 2017 with the help of a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the museum tells the story of Warwickshire, and how the shifting natural, built and human landscapes have shaped the county to the present day. Our popular exhibits include:

  • The Museum Bear
  • Oisin, our tweeting Giant Irish Deer skeleton
  • Our observation beehive, cared for by local beekeepers (On occasion the beehive is taken off display for bee-care)
  • The Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire
  • The historic Wilmcote Plesiosaur skeleton
  • Two Warwickshire Roman silver coin hoards
  • Cross Hands Quarry Dinosaur
  • Historic costume display
  • Fire of Warwick interactive 
  • A real Warwickshire dinosaur from Cross Hands Quarry

NEW Exhibition - Tales from the Riverbank

The exhibition, located on the ground floor, opens on Friday 22 March 2024, World Water Day, and will run until 18 January 2025.

This family friendly exhibition will explore the unexpected and extraordinary stories of life on (and in!) Warwickshire’s waterways, and highlight the increasing importance of the rivers, canals and waterways to us all. The exhibition will explore everything from ancient river monsters to celebrity costumes from the Royal Shakespeare Company!

Kindly sponsored by Warwick Boats and Leam Boat Centre.

More information about upcoming events.

Museum opening times

  • Sunday and Monday - closed
  • Tuesday to Saturday - 10am to 5pm 

Free entry

General admission to the museum is free, donations are welcome.

Market Hall Museum Highlight Tours

Hear about the history of the building and the highlights of its collection, from the infamous Warwickshire Bear to the amazing South Warwickshire Roman Hoards.

Tours last approximately 45 minutes and are provided by our team of Volunteer Tour Guides. Free, no nee to book. Donations welcomed.

Tours on:

  • Tuesday - 12noon
  • Wednesday - 11am
  • Thursday - 11am & 2pm
  • Friday - 12:15pm
  • Saturday - 11am (Not first Saturday of month)

Our tours are run by a team of volunteers, and we are occasionally unable to run a tour at the advertised time. Please call the Museum on 01926 412501 after 10am on the morning you wish to visit, to confirm that a tour will be available on that day.

If you are an organised group/care home and would like to arrange a tour, please email heritagevolunteering@warwickshire.gov.uk

Facilities and access

  • shop and cafe
  • toilet
  • baby changing facilities

The museum has level access on the ground floor and a platform lift to the first-floor galleries.
*Please note that some areas of the first floor are uneven due to the historic nature of the floorboards.

There is a building emergency evacuation plan and procedure for assisted escape for visitors with any type of disability/impairment, if required. If you require evacuation assistance on your visit to the museum please speak to a member of our front of house/reception staff so that we can explain our plan to you or you can contact us beforehand to discuss this.

This visual story provides images and information to help you learn about the layout of the museum and plan your day out.

Market Hall Museum visual story (PDF, 12.2MB)

Address

Market Hall Museum
Market Place
Warwick
CV34 4SA

Telephone 01926 412501

Email: museum@warwickshire.gov.uk

Parking: On street metered parking available in the town centre

Details of car parks

Market Hall Cafe

Serving locally sourced goods, our menu aims to offer our visitors a variety of choice. Choose from:

  • Drink in or take away an award-winning cup of Monsoon Estates Coffee. Or try handpicked Golden Monkey teas, including our in-house exclusives - Market Hall Blend and our warming Warwickshire ‘Bear Hug’.
  • A wide range of cakes, including gluten-free and vegan options
  • Soup and house-made batch rolls (soup is seasonal)
  • Cold drinks and snacks

Opening times

Tuesday to Saturday - 10am to 4pm

Facilities and access

  • Adapted cutlery
  • Bottle warmer and high chairs
  • Toilet with baby changing facilities

Market Hall Shop

Our redeveloped shop stocks gifts and souvenirs to suit all ages and budgets. You will find ranges based on our most popular objects and family favourites, such the Warwickshire Sheldon Tapestry and famous Warwickshire Bear. You can even buy local honey supplied by our Beekeeper, Mike Townsend.

Celebrate Warwickshire with our books and souvenirs featuring famous locations and local places of interest. You can support local artists and shop from our Makers at Market Hall craft case.

For the children, we’ve put together a wide range of toys, gifts, and pocket money spends, including well-known brands Usborne and Papo.

Opening times

Tuesday to Saturday - 10am to 5pm