Seven museums working together to tell the amazing story of Dorset and Wiltshire.
It’s a story of the land and its people. From old bones and carved stone, to ancient treasure and dazzling jewels. Mighty ships to menacing weapons. Paintings, pottery and much-loved literature.
Our partner museums will be swapping ideas, sharing expertise, exchanging objects and hosting joint exhibitions. Our aim is to inspire you to explore and enjoy the fantastic art and heritage of Dorset and Wiltshire… and discover what makes Wessex so special.
Dorset Museum – Explore 250 million years of the county’s history, from fascinating fossils to Roman remains, Victorian life to much-loved Wessex literature.
Lydiard House – Discover the enchanting history of Lydiard House – a striking Grade I listed building at the heart of Lydiard Park.
Poole Museum – Marvel at the unique collection of shipwrecks and seafaring items from Poole’s days as the maritime centre of Wessex, as well as the world’s greatest display of Poole Pottery.
Salisbury Museum – Discover 500,000 years of history – from the archaeology of ancient Wessex to contemporary art – all in a stunning medieval building.
STEAM – Museum of the Great Western Railway – STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway, a network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, set the standard for rail travel.
Swindon Museum & Art Gallery – The Museum holds objects dating from prehistory to the present, including collections in archaeology, geology, palaeontology, natural history, botany, Egyptology, and social history. Swindon Collection of Modern British Art is a collection of nationally-significant 20th century British art.
Wiltshire Museum – Be dazzled by gold from the time of Stonehenge, see Britain’s best Bronze Age archaeology collection, and admire the weapons and jewellery that tell Wiltshire’s Saxon story.
Together we form the charity, the Wessex Museums Trust (Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1171104) and are an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
Wessex Museums has its own website here
