Vale and Downland Museum

The Vale and Downland Museum occupies a converted chapel and courtyard in Church Street, Wantage, close to the market place, and tells the story of the Vale of White Horse from prehistoric times through to the modern era. Entry is free, and the collections include local archaeology, geological finds, rural crafts and the social history of the area. There are always free gallery trails for children, and several of the displays include hands-on or interactive elements.

The programme of changing exhibitions and events runs through the year, with family workshops, craft sessions and toddler activities during school holidays adding structure for younger visitors. The museum is compact and manageable in a couple of hours, and it sits naturally alongside a walk around Wantage, whose market place, the statue of Alfred the Great and the church of St Peter and St Paul are all within easy reach. Wantage was the birthplace of Alfred the Great, which gives the local history some added weight.

There is a coffee shop with an outdoor terrace and garden on site. Being closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays is worth knowing before you set off; the rest of the week it is an easy, free stop in a market town that rewards a slow explore.

Good for: history, rainy-day, sensory. Ages: 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.