Museums

Absorb history slowly in South Oxfordshire

If browsing through history at your own leisurely pace indoors sounds attractive, then South Oxfordshire has a number of museums well worth a visit.

Henley’s award winning River and Rowing Museum is family orientated and has several permanent exhibitions. Topics include the history of Henley, the history of rowing and Henley Royal Regatta, the history of the River Thames and its influence on the area and ’Neighbours from the Past’, an exhibition which takes a look at people living in South Oxfordshire - from the Stone Age to Saxons.

The popular Wind in the Willows exhibition at the River and Rowing Museum is a must for families. It allows both young and old to enjoy Kenneth Grahame’s wonderful story and engage with Ratty, Toad and Mole.

Train enthusiasts will be delighted by the treasures to be found at Didcot’s Railway Centre. Memories of the Victorian steam age are evoked here and visitors have the opportunity to drive old steam engines.

If you prefer history in miniature, then pop into The Pendon Museum’s indoor model village and railway, where scenes of the countryside from 1920s and 30s are depicted.

There are other delights in the area, such as Wallingford Museum and Thame Museum, which are both dedicated to the local history of their town, and you should not overlook Benson’s Vintage Cycle Museum.