Market Hall Museum, Warwick
About This Museum
People often step into the Market Hall Museum first for the grand building itself, a stunning timber-framed structure that has dominated Warwick's market square since the 1670s. Once inside, you're immediately drawn into the rich tapestry of Warwickshire's past, from its geological beginnings to the stories of its people. The star attraction for many is the famous 'Warwick Bear,' a massive Ice Age creature whose skeleton dominates one room, but there are also intimate tales told through everyday objects found in local attics and fields. It’s a wonderfully layered experience that feels more like exploring a fascinating old house than a formal museum.
Collection Highlights
You can't miss the complete skeleton of the Warwick Bear, an Ice Age cave bear that once roamed the area. Equally compelling is the Gibbet Cage, a chilling relic from a darker period of local justice, displayed alongside beautiful Anglo-Saxon jewellery and historic shop fronts reconstructed inside the hall.
Visitor Information
After soaking in all that history, you can grab a coffee and a slice of cake in their lovely café tucked away upstairs—a perfect spot to look out over the square. Don't forget to pop into the gift shop on your way out; it's full of lovely local history books and unique souvenirs.
Architecture & Building
The museum is housed in a magnificent 17th-century timber-framed building, originally built as a market hall, with its characteristic black-and-white façade and an open-arcaded ground floor.
Contact & Location
Address: Market Hall Warwickshire Museum, Market Place, Cliff Hill, Warwick, Warwickshire, England, CV34 4SA, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1926 412501
Website: Visit Website
