📍 Tewkesbury
The John Moore Countryside Museum
Small natural history museum in Tewkesbury's medieval Church Street with wildlife displays, live animal days and three historic buildings to explore.
✦ We visited
If a Live Animal Day is running when you visit, it transforms the experience for children. The three buildings on Church Street make the visit feel like a proper exploration rather than a single room.
The John Moore Countryside Museum sits in a row of medieval timber-framed buildings in Tewkesbury's Church Street, close to the Abbey. Founded in 1980 in memory of the writer and naturalist John Moore, who wrote warmly about Gloucestershire's fields and wildlife, it holds an extensive natural history collection covering the mammals and birds of local woodlands, wetlands, gardens and farmland. The medieval setting is part of the appeal.
One admission ticket covers three historic Church Street buildings: the Countryside Museum itself, the adjacent Merchant's House and the Old Baptist Chapel, each with its own character and displays. The museum runs Live Animal Days on certain dates, when live creatures are brought in for visitors to meet, which draw the most interest from younger visitors. There are occasional living history events and seasonal displays through the year as well.
It suits primary-age children and older for the wildlife displays and historic rooms, though Live Animal Days work for younger ones too. The town-centre location makes it a natural companion to a visit to the Abbey, the riverside or a walk around Tewkesbury's historic streets. Note that the museum closes between 1pm and 2pm, so plan your visit around the morning or afternoon session.
Good for: animals, history, rainy-day, sensory. Ages: 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.
Good to know
What does admission to the John Moore Museum cover?
One ticket gives access to three historic Church Street buildings: the Countryside Museum, the Merchant's House and the Old Baptist Chapel.
Are there live animals at the John Moore Museum?
On designated Live Animal Days, real creatures are brought in for visitors to meet; check the website for upcoming dates before travelling.
How long do you need at the John Moore Museum?
Around a couple of hours covers all three buildings at a relaxed pace, with time to look at the natural history displays.
