About us

Entirely run by volunteers and funded by visitors to the museum we aim to provide an enjoyable and informative experience. When you visit the museum, you will be able to find out about the rich history of the wool trade in Witney and a lot more.

The Ground Floor

On the ground floor of the museum, there are displays relating to the history of Witney and the surrounding area highlighting the changes that have taken place over the last 1,000 years. These include items from the local brewing industry. The Wychwood (Eagle) Brewery sadly closed at the end of 2023 ending 180 years of brewing in the town.

Shown here are also items relating to the ‘Glove making industry’ in Witney, that sadly no longer features in the town. The glove factory was in the Newland area of Witney. The owner was William Pritchett, a Woodstock glove maker who established himself at the Newland site around 1830.

Other displays include transport, development of education from the early days of private education and the Sunday schools, through the National School movement to the present day. Artifacts include schoolbooks, school reports, slates, pencils and photographs together with a reconstruction of a Victorian schoolroom. The museum’s collection also charts the development of Witney’s religious diversity, from medieval times onwards.

The First Floor

On the first floor is ‘The Bartlett Taylor Gallery’ where we stage temporary exhibitions. The ‘350 years of the Witney Blanket Industry’ display has been retained for 2024, please see our ‘What’s On’ section for further details.

The reconstruction of a 1950s kitchen is not to be missed!