Alexander Keiller Museum at Avebury
Explore Britain’s prehistoric heritage through the remarkable artefacts and stories at the Alexander Keiller Museum in Avebury’s ancient heartland.
Nestled in the heart of the Avebury World Heritage Site, the Alexander Keiller Museum offers a captivating glimpse into Britain’s prehistoric past. Housing one of the most important archaeological collections in the region, the museum showcases artefacts from Neolithic and Bronze Age excavations, including pottery, tools, and a rare 5,300-year-old child's skeleton. Located within the Old Farmyard, the museum is part of a larger cultural landscape featuring the famous stone circle, gardens, and visitor amenities.
A brief summary to National Trust Museum
- High St, Marlborough, Avebury, SN8 1RF, GB
- +441672539250
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Tuesday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Wednesday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Thursday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Friday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Saturday 9:30 am-6 pm
- Sunday 9:30 am-6 pm
Local tips
- English Heritage and National Trust members often enjoy free entry, so consider membership for cost savings.
- The museum is small and intimate; allow about 1 hour to fully appreciate the exhibits.
- Check seasonal opening hours before visiting, as they may vary or change for special events.
- Dogs are generally welcome inside the museum, making it a pet-friendly cultural stop.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
- Visitor Center
Getting There
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Bus
Take the Stagecoach No.49 bus connecting Swindon, Avebury, Trowbridge, and Devizes. The bus stop is near the Old Farmyard, with frequent daily services. Journey times vary from 30 to 60 minutes depending on your starting point. Tickets cost approximately £5-£10 one way.
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Car
Drive to Avebury via the A4361 or A4 routes. There is a large National Trust car park in Avebury with free parking for National Trust and English Heritage members. Parking fees apply otherwise, typically £5-£8 per day. The car park is about a 5-minute walk from the museum.
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Train and Taxi
Arrive by train at Swindon or Marlborough stations, then take a taxi to Avebury. Taxi rides take about 20-30 minutes and cost around £25-£40, depending on time of day and taxi service.
National Trust Museum location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
Discover more about National Trust Museum
Unearthing Avebury's Ancient Past
The Alexander Keiller Museum stands as a vital repository of prehistoric artefacts uncovered in the Avebury landscape, one of the world’s largest and most significant Neolithic sites. Named after the pioneering archaeologist Alexander Keiller, who conducted extensive excavations between 1925 and 1939, the museum preserves thousands of objects that reveal the lives and practices of early farmers and communities from over 5,000 years ago. Its collection includes flint tools, pottery shards, animal bones, and rare Beaker pottery vessels, shedding light on the cultural transitions of the Neolithic and Bronze Age eras.Exhibits and Atmosphere
Housed in the historic stables of the Old Farmyard, the museum offers an intimate, thoughtfully curated experience often described as compact yet rich in content. Among the most poignant exhibits is a complete child’s skeleton dating back approximately 5,300 years, displayed openly to provide a direct connection to the distant past. Seasonal displays in the adjacent Great Barn and Dovecote complement the permanent collection, often exploring different facets of prehistoric life and archaeological discoveries.The Old Farmyard: A Cultural Hub
The museum is part of the Old Farmyard complex, which serves as the National Trust’s hub within the Avebury World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the surrounding gardens featuring herbaceous borders, topiary, and an orchard, offering a peaceful retreat amid the ancient landscape. The Circles Café provides refreshments, while the National Trust shop offers sustainable products and local crafts. Nearby, the wildlife pond and visitor facilities enhance the welcoming environment.Avebury’s Living Landscape
Avebury is not just a museum site but a living landscape where prehistoric monuments like the stone circle and henge banks coexist with farmland and grazing sheep. This continuity of land use since the Bronze Age adds a unique dimension to the visitor experience, inviting reflection on the passage of time and human interaction with the environment. The museum helps contextualize this vast heritage, making the ancient world accessible and engaging.Preservation and Access
Efforts to maintain and interpret Avebury’s archaeological treasures continue, with the museum playing a key role in education and conservation. While the museum is small, its significance is immense, offering insights that complement the wider exploration of the stone circles and manor house nearby. Accessibility improvements have been made despite the historic nature of the buildings, and the site welcomes visitors year-round, with the garden open in all seasons.Connecting Past and Present
The Alexander Keiller Museum invites visitors to step back into prehistory, bridging thousands of years through artefacts and stories. It is a place of discovery, reflection, and connection to early human history, set within one of England’s most evocative archaeological landscapes. Whether you are a history enthusiast or a curious traveler, the museum enriches the Avebury experience with depth and authenticity.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Location Audience
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