Museums and Theatres in the Cotswolds
Chipping Norton Theatre
Hidden along the narrow streets of the old market town, it has been host to a great variety of theatrical performance. Film, theatre, music, dance and art. The Theatre has a varied programme of films, live shows and a Gallery where local artists can display their work.
Open seven days a week, The Theatre also offers a variety of activities to take part in for ages ranging from 18 months up to adults. The Theatre is a unique venue situated in the heart of the Cotswolds. Surrounded by an abundance of restaurants and traditional English pubs, visiting The Theatre in Chipping Norton is the perfect recipe for a perfect evening’s entertainment.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1860 as the centre for scientific study at the University of Oxford, the Museum of Natural History now holds the University’s internationally significant collections of geological and zoological specimens.
Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the Dodo, and the swifts in the tower.
The Museum of Natural History is a family friendly museum, the building is spacious and light, so perfect for little ones to explore and discover the wonders of the natural world.
Ashmolean Museum
Founded in 1683 the Ashmolean is the world’s oldest public museum with incredibly rich and diverse collections ranging from Egyptian mummies to Pre-Raphaelite paintings to contemporary art.
The Ashmolean’s collections include the world’s greatest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of Egyptian pre-Dynastic sculpture and ceramics outside Cairo, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, outstanding Anglo-Saxon treasures, and the foremost collection of modern Chinese painting in the Western world.
Royal Shakespeare Company
One of the world’s best-known theatre ensembles, the Royal Shakespeare Company performs the works of Shakespeare, his contemporaries and new writing, throughout the year in Stratford-upon-Avon.
With both the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Swan Theatre gives the best possible setting to experience live theatre.
If you don’t have time to see a performance then why not simply enjoy the stunning views from the Tower, discover theatrical secrets on a Theatre Tour, spend time exploring the free exhibitions or simply relax by the River Avon with a coffee or kick back with a divine cocktail in the Rooftop Restaurant.
Hook Norton Brewery Museum
Located in the original malt house buildings our Brewery and Village museum houses some of the old equipment that has been used across the years at Hook Norton, alongside many fascinating records and photographs from the era.
See the original steam engine, learn about the history of the brewery and how the beers are made. After a tour of the stables, if they are in residence you’ll be able to see the lovely Shire Horses who still deliver beer to our local pubs in the traditional way. Upon completion of the tour, it’s back to our sampling bar in the Visitor Centre for a beer tasting.
Cotswold Motoring Museum
Located in the picturesque village of Bourton on the Water which makes a great day out with the kids, the Cotswold Motoring Museum is a truly fascinating journey through the 20th Century.
The Motoring Museum is overflowing with vintage car collections, classic cars and motorcycles, caravans, original enamel signs and an intriguing collection of motoring curiosities, it is a genuinely captivating experience and a fun day out in Bourton on the Water.
The Oxfordshire Museum
A large 18th century house in the historic town of Woodstock provides a home for the County’s collections. Touring exhibitions, a stunning garden, Museum shop and café complement the permanent displays.
The museum is bigger than you might think with eleven galleries displaying art, archaeology, local and natural history. Explore the County’s innovative industries from nanotechnology to nucleur power and its past from the Jurassic to the Victorian period and beyond.
Cotswolds Distillery
The Cotswolds Distillery is the first-ever full-scale craft distillery within the Cotswolds. With a wide range of outstanding natural spirits, including the first-ever Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky as well as producing the award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin, featuring local lavender from Snowshill, along with a range of small-batch brandies and liqueurs.
Located in the unspoilt North Cotswold village of Stourton, the beautiful rural distillery and shop was designed to offer visitors tours of the working distillery. There is also a shop on the premises that offers all of their spirits, along with a great collection of glassware, clothing, books and other merchandise.
Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
Renewed gallery spaces allow visitors to explore highlights from the Museum’s collections – including a new gallery space dedicated to the internationally renowned Arts & Crafts collection, The Paper Store, our open archive showing tales of local heroes, including the great Edward Wilson (one of Scott’s key men on his 1912 expedition to Antarctica) and temporary exhibition spaces filled with varied programming including fun shows for families.
Corinium Museum
Visit the Corinium Museum and step back in time. Learn what the Romans did for us, and how life wouldn’t be the same without them!
For the children their is hands on activities to bring history to life, fun computer interactives, holiday drop-in activities and flexible family tickets.
