Uncovering the history of an ancient village
Eynsham Museum and Heritage Centre (EMHC) was established in 2021. Our aims are: to showcase some of the wonderful objects that bring to life Eynsham’s long and distinguished history; nurture pride in the community for its roots; and provide inspiration for future generations.
In March 2023, Eynsham Parish Council granted EMHC a lease on the Bartholomew Room in the Market Square. In autumn 2023, we held our first exhibition, Eynsham’s Lost Railway, which was so popular that it needed an extended run.
Our next exhibition, Rural Eynsham, ran from 13 July to 27 October 2024, and was very well-received by villagers and visitors to Eynsham alike. Alongside this, our popular photographic exhibition, Eynsham Past and Present, gave a fascinating glimpse into the changing face of the village. We reopened both exhibitions on 5 April 2025, and they ran until the end of August 2025.
At the end of September 2025, we opened our permanent exhibition in the upstairs gallery, Eynsham from Prehistory to the 20th Century. This runs alongside our permanent photographic exhibition, Eynsham Past and Present, in the downstairs gallery. Read more about our current and past exhibitions here.
The museum’s opening hours are weekends and bank holidays from 11am to 4pm. Entry is free; donations are very welcome.
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News
OCTOBER 2026
We are very much looking forward to welcoming children from Eynsham Primary School on 19 and 20 October, when they will be visiting the museum. The enthusiasm of our youngest community members is always such a joy!
Open to all on the weekend of 24–25 October, there will be a mini-exhibition about the Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, Farmoor, in our downstairs gallery. Discover more about Hill End’s 100-year history and heritage. Generations of children have learned about the natural world there – were you one of them?
On 6 November, West Oxfordshire District Council have invited ‘mayors and chairs’ for a private event including drinks and nibbles, and tours of the museum and the site of Eynsham Abbey. Half of all profits raised will be donated to the museum.
On 16 November, we will be giving a talk to people attending Eynsham Day Centre’s Monday Club about the museum’s recent acquisitions.
And on Saturday 21 November, we are holding a fund-raising sale of cards, books, prints, paintings and jewellery in the downstairs gallery of the museum. Do come along and make a start on your Christmas shopping!
The museum will close for winter on Sunday 1 November and will reopen on Saturday 3 April 2027.
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** For previous news items, please go to the News archive. **
Object of the month
For more about Object of the Month, click on the next link (date heading).
- October 2026This month’s Object of the Month is a Roman seal box in its two parts: a base with three circular perforations in it, and a lid. It… Read more: October 2026
