Displays
Featured Displays
Permanent Displays
Geology
Investigating some of the geological aspects of the locality. Glacial erratics, dinosaur fossils and the Chediston Stones.
The de Argenteins, Lords of Halesworth Manor
The life and times of the de Argentein family, including the main characters, artefacts from the period and an explanation of the Ancient House carvings.
Ancient House Display Board
An intriguing interpretation of the carvings on this building
We have published “The de Argentein Family; Cup-bearers to Medieval Kings” by David Wollwebber, the de Argenteins were Lords of Halesworth Manor in the medieval period. Priced at £13.50, copies can be purchased at the Mueum or at the Halesworth Bookshop.
The Wissett Hoards
An internationally significant find of palstave axeheads, spear heads and parts of a sabre. Dating back 3,500 years, these items were purchased from the British Museum and are shown less than two miles from where they were found. The palstve axeheads are reputed to be the best collection in England.
The Bramfield Hoard
This remarkable hoard of middle Bronze Age axe heads, discovered in 1830, has been stored in the Royal Armouries Museum, for many years. The hoard is of the same period as the Wissett Hoards but whereas the Wissett objects are in excellent condition. The Bramfield items are much worn and were possibly bound for the melting pot.
These two hoards provide an interesting comparison. As far as we know they have never been on public display.
Local Treasures
A display of the recently acquired Cookley hoard of Roman silver coins and the Blythburgh Iron Age gold coin hoard.
Lincolne Letters
The Lincolne Letters exhibition includes audio visual excerpts from the letters based on recordings that were done at the book launch by Circle 67 actors. There is also a display of the letters and other objects from the Lincolne archive.
Short Run Displays
There will be a number of short run displays in the museum extension, including:
Memorabilia from the Middle School
Now on Display
A cornucopia of memorabilia from the former Halesworth Area School (now Edgar Sewter Primary School), Halesworth Middle School and Halesworth Secondary Modern School takes pride of place in one of our brand-new display cases. Together, these institutions represent nearly nine decades (1923–2012) of education for local children. They also provide a chronicle of educational reforms and reorganisations across much of the 20th century.
For more information click here.
We need more Friends!
The Friends of the Halesworth and District Museum have provided help to our Museum over many years with support in the form of ideas, practical effort and resources. Membership of the Friends runs from April to March. To download an application form click on this link. Friends application 2023-24.
Halesworth Museum – Opening Times
Winter Opening Times
The Museum will be closes over the holiday period from Saturday 14th December to Tuesday 14th January.
The museum will have restricted hours until March 2025 as follows:
- Mondays Closed
- Tuesdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Wednesdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Thursdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Fridays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Saturdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Sundays Closed
Summer Opening Times
The Museum is open five days a week. The opening hours are:
-
- Mondays Closed
- Tuesdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Wednesdays 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Thursdays 10:00am to 12:30pm
- Fridays 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Saturdays 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Sundays Closed
More information Information for Visitors
When you visit Halesworth make sure you visit the Museum, housed in our Victorian Railway Station. For more than twenty years volunteers have been collecting and researching the history and archaeology of this fascinating corner of Suffolk. Spend some time with the displays which will take you across 10,000 years, from the earliest settlers in the Blyth Valley to the busy hub of malting, brewing and agriculture which was the town in Victorian times.
In the lobby there is a special emphasis on the railway, with its unique moveable platforms. Come and see how they worked and learn about the history of the two historic railway lines in Halesworth.
From the lobby entre the museum through the door with Waiting Room above it. (don’t be confused by the small office, this is the local community bus office and is often full of drivers!).
Once in the museum you will see a sign to the Local History Room, where there is research material for anyone interested in exploring local social or family history in the area, collections of historical photographs and much more for you to peruse at your leisure.
There are activity trays for the young and reminiscence boxes available for loan for the not so young. Groups are welcome by appointment and the Museum is keen to take its wares out into the community.
After you visit us, go the The Cut to see:
In 2015, New Cut Arts (the charity which runs The Cut) formed a partnership with the Halesworth & District Museum with the intention of bringing this industrial heritage back into public consciousness: re-presenting the MALT Story through the combination of historical research and creative thinking that has become the Trail & Experience.
Note . . . . .
If you are planning to visit the Museum for a specific purpose, for example to research your family history, it will be best to contact us first to ensure that the best volunteer is available.
The defined collection area of the Museum is the town of Halesworth and the villages and hamlets of its hinterland that have historically looked towards Halesworth as the nearest market town; the villages and hamlets being:
| Bulcamp | Blyford | Blythburgh | Bramfield | Chediston |
| Cookley | Henham | Holton | Huntingfield | Linstead Magna |
| Linstead Parva | Rumburgh | Sotherton | Spexhall | Thorington |
| Walpole | Wenhaston | Westhall | Wissett |