Location: Cotswolds
Top Things to do in Cotswolds
Top 9 History Museums in Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds (/ˈkɒtswoʊldz/ KOTS-wohldz, /-wəldz/ -wəldz) is an area in south central England containing the Cotswold Hills, a range of rolling hills which rise from the meadows of the upper Thames to an escarpment, known as the Cotswold Edge, above the Severn Valley and Evesham Vale. The area is defined by the bedrock of Jurassic limestone that creates a type of grassland habitat rare in the UK and that is quarried for the golden coloured Cotswold stone. It contains unique features derived from the use of this mineral; the predominantly rural landscape contains stone-built villages, historical towns and stately homes and gardens. The population of the District is about 84,000.
Restaurants in Cotswolds
1. Snowshill Manor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 709 reviews
Reviewed By St4ple - Redditch, United Kingdom
We visited Snowshill Manor after joining the national trust, myself, my partner and my 14 year old son. It was raining heavily on the day we visited, so didn’t spend too long in the gardens and made a quick dash to the house, although even from the short time we were in the gardens, they looked interesting and and well kept, with little outhouses and workshops to visit. The manor house is a large beautiful house, housing the amazing life long collection of Charles Paget Wade. Every room is a feast for the eyes, filled with interesting and quirky items he spent his life collecting and the National trust staff are very knowledgeable and on hand to talk to you about the wonderful items you discover in each room. This is a great place to visit on a rainy day as you can spend so long looking at the many items. I would definitely recommend visiting with plenty of time as there is a lot to look at, there is even a costume section where you can dress up!
2. Cotswold Countryside Collection
3. Museum in the Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
The Museum in the Park is set in the beautiful grounds of Stratford Park in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Situated in a Grade II listed 17th Century wool merchant’s house; our collection tells the fascinating story of the Stroud District’s rich and diverse history. With over 4,000 objects on display, including dinosaur bones, historical paintings and even one of the world’s first lawnmowers, there is something to spark the interest of all of our visitors! In addition to the main displays in the mansion house, we have our modern extension which houses a small gift shop and café area, alongside a modern, purpose-built art gallery showing a varied programme of exhibitions. Behind this is Stroud’s ‘secret garden’ - a contemporary Walled Garden that will amaze and may well cause you to say 'wow'!
Reviewed By ksgoodwin169
We read about a craft fair being held in Stratford Park so decided to pay them a visit a good job we did as we came across the museum. When we went in it was absolutely magic and as we are in our 60s it brought back a lot of memories, well worth a visit. There is a lift which was very handy as I am partially disabled and struggle with stairs, on certain days there is a pop up cafe in the garden and can be accessed via a gentle winding ramp.
4. Holst Birthplace Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Explore Cheltenham’s historic house, the Holst Birthplace Museum, where composer Gustav Holst was born in 1874. The house is a time capsule of 19th century life with a working Victorian kitchen, Victorian bedroom, scullery and nursery. Visitors can also experience a Regency Sitting Room, of the type popular when Cheltenham was a fashionable spa town. It is the only Regency domestic room open to the public in the town and contains an impressive art collection. Composer Gustav Holst’s life and times can be discovered in his Music Room, complete with the piano on which he composed The Planets. The museum hosts a range of exhibitions, events and children’s activities throughout the year; including the popular ‘Bake Back in Time’ events which use the working coal-fired range.
Reviewed By angelacQ2478IH - London, United Kingdom
This is the 19th century house where Gustav Holst was born in 1874 and is now a museum with exhibits on Victorian life in England. It has a working Victorian kitchen, bedroom, scullery and nursery as well as a Regency sitting room. The composer's life and times can be seen in the Music room with the piano on which he composed the Planets. At the top of the house there is a room with toys. There is a 30 minute video which is definitely worth watching and very informative. We came to see the exhibition ' A Victorian Childhood' which is on until 14th December 2019. They advertise Bake back in Time events using the working coal-fired range. There is a shop where they have guidebooks in French, German, Spanish and Japanese. The staff are all very enthusiastic and friendly. Entrance is £6.00 and £2 for children but you can get a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 3 children for £14, and all entrance tickets are now annual passes - you can come back as many times as you like in a year. It is closed on Sunday and Monday, otherwise open from 10.30am until 4pm.
5. Dr Jenner's House, Museum and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Situated in the historic market town of Berkeley, The Chantry is the striking Grade II* listed house where Edward Jenner lived for 38 years until his death in 1823. This is the house from which he pioneered vaccination against smallpox and it is now a museum celebrating his life and legacy. Discover how his work here eventually led to the eradication of smallpox and find out more about his other achievements before relaxing, as Jenner did, in an acre of peaceful gardens.
6. Tetbury Police Museum & Courtroom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By robins_den - London, United Kingdom
The museum is housed in a building that was the original police station, police house and courtroom. It now houses a council office also who acts as a curator. Despite being small it is still very original and they have tried hard to collect artefacts of interest to many people. As an ex police officer and with a son in law who is still serving it was good to go back to see items that we used in earlier days. They have used speaking models including snoring drunk prisoner. The court room is still intact and has models for magistrates and witness's. Visit is free but donations welcomed. Thank you to all concerned in keeping this exhibition going.
7. Chipping Campden Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By highlander88
We were in CC for a week, and dropped by the CC Visitor Information Center to find that it was chock-full of excellent ideas for local walks, and carried detailed maps. The ladies who were on that day were warm and friendly, and told us about the RAF concert that would be on at the church on Friday night. We bought tickets and had the most wonderful evening listening to The Blockley Blokes Male Voice Choir and The Shipston Town Band. Excellent musicians all round! Thank you to Chipping Campden for having such an extensive collection of information for your visitors!
8. Museum of Gloucester
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 81 reviews
The Museum of Gloucester tells the story of the city’s origins as a Roman settlement and its subsequent development through the Dark Ages and Medieval period. This fine Victorian building also has a significant collection of art including paintings by Richard Wilson, Thomas Gainsborough, John Atkinson Grimshaw and Thomas Dibdin. The Archaeology collection includes the world-famous Birdlip Mirror, impressive Roman tombstones and the Gloucester Tables Set, the oldest complete backgammon set in the world. The museum has ever-changing exhibitions and events, so keep your eye open for these and much much more... The museum also features ground floor exhibitions and exhibits that promise a much more interactive experience. Highlights include a Roman kitchen playhouse and medieval street and part of the original Roman wall can also be viewed within the museum. Visit our café, serving a range of tea, coffee and cakes, crisps and biscuits as well as an exciting gift shop.
Reviewed By thejonpage - London, United Kingdom
The museum consists of two floors. PERM EXHIBITION (G/F). This floor is all about history. But as per local museum convention (Warwick's Market Hall is particularly at fault here), you're not starting anywhere near the town. Which means we have to travel back to the Palaeozic, play games with the dinosaurs, then dive 65000000 years into the Romans. You get to revise world history with Gloucester's all at the same time. TEMP EXHIBITION (1/F). Upstairs you'll find two temporary exhibitions - William Simmonds' puppeteering and the life stories of people of colour. HOW TO GET THERE. Closest station: Gloucester Station. Walk out of the station, cross Bruton Way and keep walking. Turn right until you see Kings Walk Shopping Centre and Car Park. At this point turn left into Clarence Street. Keep on and after two corners the museum is to your right. (Note: the library and the museum are side by side and have separate entrances.)
9. Charlbury Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
