Athelstan Museum — Attraction in England

Very helpful and friendly staff as we came in, with lots of answers to questions we had! Lots to read and see here about the history of Malmsbury - which is particularly interesting as it’s the 1st for a lot of things- 1st Burrough, 1st king of all England! Fascinating also to see how lace was made, all the different coins and metalwork found from the time of the Romans. King Althestans half sister’s remains were identified in France from strontium isotopes in her teeth, where they were able to geo locate her whereabouts in the formative years of her life and identify who she was, a whole 900 years later, which is just mind blowing! Highly recommend a visit, it’s free/donation and there’s a lovely, reasonably well priced...

Nicely laid-out museum of local history, interesting people and trades from lace to lineoleum, not to mention radar. Friendly welcome, lots of little interactives, study area. Don't forget to feed the tiger after following the tiger trail (he roars). Art gallery, cafe with enticing cakes, toilets all in the same building and parking right outside (if you're early or patient). What more can you ask? The town is beautiful and worth investigating, including the Abbey next door, so it's worth parking in the Long Stay Car Park - signposted from the centre - and taking the short walk up from the river to...

What a great little museum.

Some real gems here. I'm a huge history fan and so anything on Athelstan is enough for me but this place surprised me with other quirky and interesting stories from the past.

From Eimar the flying Monk, a Charles I letter asking for protection during the Civil War through to a local who came a cropper at the hands of a touring tiger - its just a really interesting place. It's also free and has a great car park outside from which to explore the rest of Malmesbury.

Be sure to check out the grave of the poor tiger victim...