Dorchester Abbey Museum

Dorchester Abbey Museum is a small, highly-regarded museum located in the Abbey Guest House in the beautiful village of Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. It is normally open to the public from Easter to the end of September.

The Museum reflects Dorchester’s 6000 years of human occupation through displays of local archaeological finds and social history, supported by a collection of artefacts, documents and photographs.

Clearly presented displays introduce you to prehistoric stone tools, the Iron Age village and earthworks, the Roman fortified settlement at Dorchester, and the important monastic centre located here.

The Abbey Cloister Gallery showcases a fine collection of medieval stonework from the Abbey itself. Moving to more recent times, the Museum includes a display of artefacts and photos from Dorchester’s part in Midsomer Murders and other popular TV series.

We also have a successful gift shop with a range of books on local history and the Abbey, a wide selection of greeting cards, and small gifts for adults and children.  Complete your afternoon with a visit to the famous Dorchester Abbey Tearoom, next door to the Museum, for a selection of home-made cakes and scones.