Plan your Visit

Regular Opening Hours
The Museum is open every Wednesday - Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Last entry 3.30pm.
Entry to the museum is free, but donations are most welcomed.

How to find us

The Wharf, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG14 5AS. T: 01635 519562 E: museum@westberks.gov.uk

www.what3words.com  ///pull.shadow.beam

Download a central Newbury and walking map.

On foot
The museum is located on the Wharf just off Newbury Market Place and close to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

By car
We are just off the main road through Newbury - A339, follow the brown tourist information signs to the Corn Exchange, Newbury Library and Museum. There is plenty of pay and display parking near the museum.

The nearest car parks are;
Newbury Corn Exchange (Bear Lane) Car Park (Three spaces reserved for Blue Badge Holders.)
Newbury Library Car Park (Two spaces reserved for Blue Badge Holders.)

By bus or train
We are only a short walk from the town centre bus stops and Newbury Railway Station.

By boat
We are close to moorings in Victoria Park and about 10 minute’s walk along the towpath from the marina.

Museum App
‘Blaze’s West Berkshire Museum Adventure’ is a family orientated augmented reality guide, designed to encourage children to explore the museum in a brand new way, features the museum mascot, Blaze the dragon, as a virtual tour-guide.

The app, which works on iPads and iPhone 6 and later, is free to download from the Apple appstore in advance of your visit, or families can borrow the iPad provided at the museum.

Accessibility
The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. There are lifts at each end of the building. Floors are tiles or hardwood and galleries are designed to allow a wheelchair user free movement around the displays.

The Welcome area is accessible by a ramp. The shop has a step but level access is available by entering and exiting through the same door and entering the rest of the Welcome area by the ramp.

Our panels and exhibition labels are printed in accordance with readability guidelines. We can also provide large print versions for most exhibitions. If there isn’t one in the gallery, please ask.

We have a set of evacuation procedures and should you require it someone will assist you with evacuation either out of the building or to a refuge. We have evac. chairs to assist.

If you would like somewhere quiet to sit, please ask our staff. There are seats in most galleries.

We welcome assistance dogs. See details about Blue Badge Holders parking above.

Access for visitors with autistic spectrum conditions
A sensory map of the museum is available to download here.

Sensory bag
A sensory bag is available at the museum reception, which is free for visitors to borrow. Inside a drawstring bag is a pair of universal ear defenders, wraparound sunglasses, magnifying glass and a selection of fidget/sensory toys to enhance a visit to the Museum. Please return the bag to reception at the end of your visit and, if possible, give some brief feedback on its contents, as we’re always looking to improve our offer.

The JOY app
You can also find information about the Museum on a social prescribing website called Joy. Click here to find out more if you would like to contact us please click ‘Make a referral’.

Photography and filming
You are welcome to take photographs for personal use. Feel free to share them on social media. Please do not use a flash or tripod. We can accommodate professional filming and photo shoots. These must be booked in advance and a charge will be made. Please contact us to discuss museum@westberks.gov.uk

Research Enquiries
If you have an enquiry about your family history, local heritage, the museum collection or about identifying an object, please download and complete an enquiry form and email to museum@westberks.gov.uk