Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery — Attraction in Basingstoke and Deane

The Willis Museum is located in the old Town Hall in the Market Place with a statue of local girl Jane Austen outside. It has an exhibition area (the Sainsbury Gallery) and a cafe on the ground floor. The first floor features more locally relevant material, showing something of the changing way of life in the area, with more recent items a good basis for reminiscing with children and grandchildren. On the second floor are archaeological displays including finds from Roman Silchester - and a mammoth tusk discovered locally!. Good wheelchair access on the ground floor and stair lifts for those unable to climb the stairs. Some rooms upstairs are set aside for activities for school age children. The exhibitions are generally traveling exhibitions and not so big that children will easily get bored. Highlights for children in the past couple of years included a collection of Star Wars models and the Brick by Brick exhibition of Lego-related art. Donations requested but...

EXCELLENT WELL RUN MUSEUM. IT IS WORTH A VISIT. THERE ARE LOST OF VERY INTERESTING ITEMS REFERRING TO THE LOCAL AREA. tHE STORY OF MRS BLUNDEN IS RECORDED HERE. MRS BLUNDEN WAS THE REAL LIFE LADY BURIED ALIVE TWICE. THIS WAS USED BY DICKENS IN THE BOOK CALLED "DAVID COPPERFIELD", AS THE LADY BURIED WITH THE BELL ABOVE THE GRAVE. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. THE REAL GRAVE IS JUST BEHIND BASINGSTOKE RAILWAY STATION, NEAR THE HOLY GHOST CHAPEL. WORTH A VISIT. GREG,...

Great local small museum at the top of town. Permanent displays upstairs about the history of Basingstoke, and frequently changing exhibits on the ground floor, quite often aimed towards children, eg this month is a Michael Rosen exhibition, with kids "trail' to follow, and also crafting workshop. There's also a small cafe and gift shop on the ground floor. There is no admission fee, donations welcome. Currently closed Monday...