Museums in England (M-S)
A highly idiosyncratic list of both public and commercial places to visit, based on the exacting criteria of whatever I think might be fun. There are, of course, thousands of museums big and small throughout the UK. What's your favourite?

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Marlipins Museum    Fascinating local history and archaeology museum housed in one of the oldest buildings in Sussex. Peak inside the 12th century walls of the museum building itself! High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England, BN43 5DA Attraction Type: Museum Location: on A259 Website: Marlipins Museum Email: smomich@sussexpast.co.uk Phone: 01273 462 994 Location map OS TQ215050 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mechanical Music and Doll Collection    If it plays by itself, it is probably here. Music boxes, barrel pianos, Orchestrions, and more. Primarily Victorian, and all working (and playing). Dolls of all sorts from Victorian and Edwardian times. Phonographs (remember phonographs? It wasn't all that long ago, or am I getting on?), stereoscopes, and more Victoriana. Church Road, Portfield Chichester, West Sussex, England, PO19 4HN Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A285 and A27 Phone: 01243 372646 Fax: 01243 370299 Location map OS SU875 055 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mevagissey Museum    Explore the rich history of Mevagissey, from the Bronze age through the infamy of smuggling, and the fascinating detail of village life in times past. The museum is housed in a dockside 18th century building used to construct and repair smuggling vessels. East Wharf, Inner Harbour Mevagissey, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Museum Location: right on the harbour Phone: 01726 843 568 OS SX016 448 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mevagissey Sealife Aquarium    Many species of local sealife are featured. Proceeds from the aquarium are used to clean up the harbour. Mevagissey, Cornwall, England Attraction Type: Museum Location: in the old lifeboat house off the quay Phone: 01726 843 305 OS SX016 447 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mill House Cider Museum    The Cider Museum traces the heritage of cider-making in Dorset, with displays of antique presses and other traditional equipment dating as far back as the 18th century. A video in the museum explains the process of cider making, and visitors can shop for cider and other West Country goodies in the museum shop. Owermoigne, Dorchester, Dorset, England, DT2 8HZ Attraction Type: Museum Location: on the A352 Website: Mill House Cider Museum Email: contact@millhousecider.com Phone: 01305 852 220 Fax: 01305 854 760 Location map Details of Mill House Cider Museum OS SY771 868 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Morwellham Quay    Historic copper port restored as outdoor museum: miner's cottage, waterwheel, assay laboratory, smithy, cooperage, lime kilns and other buildings house a fascinating experience of the history of the area. Morwellham, Tavistock, Devon, England, PL19 8JL Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the A390 Website: Morwellham Quay Email: info@morwellham-quay.co.uk Phone: 01822 832 766 Fax: 01822 833 808 Location map OS SX444697 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology    Part of the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University, the museum collections total over 750,000 artifacts of historic and anthropological interest, including over 70,000 photographs. The collections are especially strong in the areas of Oriental and African studies, visual arts, and classics. Downing Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, CB2 3DZ Attraction Type: Museum Website: Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Phone: 01223 333 516 Fax: 01223 333 517 Location map Details of Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology OS TL451 582 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Berkshire Aviation    Located at the historic Woodley Airfield air base near Reading, the museum showcases Berkshire's contributions to the history of aviation through rebuilt aircraft (featuring locally built Miles and Handley Page planes), displays of archival photographs, and hands-on chances to experience the development of aviation techniques. School groups welcome. Mohawk Way, off The Bader Way Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, England, RG5 4UE Attraction Type: Museum Location: off Woodley Junction of the A329(M) Website: Museum of Berkshire Aviation Email: MuseumBerksAv@gmail.com Phone: 0118 944 8089 Location map OS SU778 732 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms    Splendid 18th century buildings houses public staterooms as well as the fascinating museum of costume through the ages, from the 16th century though the present day. Bennett Street, Bath, Somerset, England, BA1 2QH Attraction Type: Museum Location: near town centre Website: Museum of Costume and Assembly Rooms Email: fashion_bookings@bathnes.gov.uk Phone: 01225 477 173 Fax: 01225 477 743 Location map OS ST749 653 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of English Rural Life    A national museum of artifacts related to farming and country living over the past 150 years. Now open in its new location. Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, England Attraction Type: Museum Location: opposite the Royal Berkshire Hospital, just off A4 Website: Museum of English Rural Life Email: merl@reading.ac.uk Phone: 0118 931 8660 OS SU723 727 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Lincolnshire Life    A short walk from the Cathedral Quarter, this museum illustrates the social history of Lincolnshire over the past several centuries, with exhibits focusing on the county's agricultural and industrial past. Prize among the exhibits is a WWI tank, a memory of the importance of Lincolnshire in the development of the tank. Directly behind the museum is Ellis Mill, a working windmill which dates back to the 18th century. The museum is well signposted from the historic centre of Lincoln, and there are paid parking lots within a block or so. Burton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, LN1 3LY Attraction Type: Museum Location: Signposted from Lincoln town centre. Several nearby car parks. Website: Museum of Lincolnshire Life Email: lincolnshirelife_museum@lincolnshire.gov.uk Phone: +44 (0) 1522 528448 Fax: +44 (0) 1522 521264 Location map Details of Museum of Lincolnshire Life OS SK972722 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Modern Art Oxford    Museum features temporary exhibits of innovative contemporary art from all over the world. 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1BP Attraction Type: Museum Location: Oxford city centre next to Marks and Spencer's food hall Website: Museum of Modern Art Oxford Email: info@modernartoxford.org.uk Phone: 01865 722 733 Fax: 01865 722 573 Location map OS SP513 061 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of Oxford    Covers 2000 years of Oxford history, archaeology, and architecture, including extensive exhibits on the University. St Aldates, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 1DZ Attraction Type: Museum Location: 10 minute walk from the train station Website: Museum of Oxford Email: museum@oxford.gov.uk Phone: 01865 252 761 Location map OS SP513061 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Museum of the History of Science    Scientific instruments and devices through the ages, including clocks, cameras, and medical equipment. Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3AZ Attraction Type: Museum Location: in city centre, next to the Sheldonian Theatre and across from Blackwell's Website: Museum of the History of Science Phone: 01865 277 280 Fax: 01865 277 288 Location map OS SP515064 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

National Media Museum    A whole museum devoted to media, from film, photos, TV and radio to the web. You can learn to operate a TV camera, or stand in front of one and read the news. See permanent and changing photography exhibits. IMAX 3D theatre (that's the one with the huge screen and the surround sound that will blow your mind if you haven't experienced it before). Bradford, Yorkshire, England, BD1 1NQ Attraction Type: Museum Location: at junction of A647, A641 and A6181 Website: National Media Museum Phone: 0870 70 10 200 Location map OS SE162 328 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

National Railway Museum    If you're a train buff, this is the place to come: it's the world's largest railway museum. See a replica of Stephenson's Rocket, a section of the Chunnel (Channel Tunnel), Queen Victoria's royal railway carriage (can you say "posh"?), the world's fastest steam engine, and more. The museum is also temporary home to the 200-foot high Yorkshire Wheel, offering fantastic views of the city. Leeman Road, York, Yorkshire, England, YO26 4XJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A19 Website: National Railway Museum Email: nrm@nrm.org.uk Phone: 08448 153 139 Fax: 0870 421 4011 Location map Details of National Railway Museum OS SE594 520 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

National Waterways Museum    Award winning museum housed in a restored Victorian warehouse. Hands-on exhibits follow the history of inland waterways in Britain over the past 200 years. Floating exhibits, and canal boat rides in the summer. Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester Docks Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England, GL1 2EH Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A4301 Website: National Waterways Museum Email: bookingsnwm@thewaterwaystrust.org Phone: 01452 318200 Fax: 01452 318202 Location map OS SO828 183 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Norris Museum    The Norris Museum in St. Ives tells the story of the no-longer extant county of Huntingdonshire. The museum was founded by native Herbert Norris, who bequeathed his collection of Huntingdonshire artefacts when he died in 1931. The museum contains exhibitions of local art, as well as old photographs and memorabilia associated with Huntingdonshire. The Broadway, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, England, PE27 5BX Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the B1040 Website: Norris Museum Email: curator.norris@stives-town.info Location map Details of Norris Museum OS TL312 713 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

North Yorkshire Moors Railway    Steam train journeys, 18 miles through the North York Moors National Park from Pickering to Grosmont. Pickering Station, Pickering, Yorkshire, England, YO18 7AJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A170 Website: North Yorkshire Moors Railway Phone: 01751 472508 Location map OS SE797 842 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Old Gaol Museum    The Old Gaol dates from 1748, but it now houses a wonderful museum which explores the history of Buckingham and the military heritage of Buckinghamshire. Themed rooms in the museum showcase ancient, Tudor, and Georgian Buckingham, as well as an Edwardian shop and mementoes of Florence Nightingale. Market Hill, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, MK18 1JX Attraction Type: Museum Location: in the town centre Website: Old Gaol Museum Email: buckingham.t.i.c@btconnect.com Phone: 01280 823 020 Location map Details of Old Gaol Museum OS SP696 341 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Overbeck's Museum and Garden    The sheltered seven acre garden is home to a range of subtropical plants. Wonderful views out over the estuary. Sharpitor, Salcombe, Devon, England, TQ8 8LW Attraction Type: Museum Website: Overbeck's Museum and Garden Email: overbecks@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01548 842 893 National Trust Location map OS SX728374 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Oxford University Museum of Natural History    Next door neighbor to Pitt Rivers, this collection covers natural history, including gemstones, dinosaurs, and other fossils. Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3PW Attraction Type: Museum Website: Oxford University Museum of Natural History Phone: 01865 272 950 Fax: 01865 272 970 Location map OS SP514069 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Oxfordshire County Museum    The museum is housed in a 16th century house, and contains rural crafts, in addition to a superb "Oxfordshire through the Ages" exhibit. Fletchers House, Park Street Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, OX20 1SN Attraction Type: Museum Location: Woodstock city centre, 7 miles N of Oxford Email: oxon.museum@oxfordshire.gov.uk Phone: 01993 811 456 Location map OS SP444 168 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pallant House Gallery    One of the finest private gallery collections of fine art in the UK. The gallery is based around artwork collected by Dean Walter Hussey when he was Dean of nearby Chichester Cathedral 1955-1977. Included are works by Henry Moore, J Ceri Richards, and Graham Sutherlan, among many others. 9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, England, PO19 1TJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: city centre Website: Pallant House Gallery Email: info@pallant.org.uk Phone: 01243 774 557 Fax: 01243 536 038 Location map OS SU862 047 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Peak District Mining Museum    Located in the former Pavilion Building in Matlock Bath, the former Pump room of Matlock's spa days. In the museum exhibits tell the story of the area's lead mining history from Roman days to the present. There are extensive displays of mining equipment, including pumps, as well as displays showing what a miner's life was like, and models of lead workings. The Pavilion, Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derbyshire, England, DE4 3NR Attraction Type: Museum Location: off the main road, just N of Gullivers Kingdom Theme Park Website: Peak District Mining Museum Email: mail@peakmines.co.uk Phone: 01629 583 834 Location map OS SK293 582 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

People's History Museum    Ever wondered about the real, everyday people who make up our history? The People's Museum is the place to go for the answers; it explores the lives and legacy of the working people of Britain over the last 200 years, from the sweatshops and rebellions to leisure time. Bridge Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, M3 3ER Attraction Type: Museum Location: The museum is closed until late 2009. Website: People's History Museum Email: info@phm.org.uk Phone: 0161 839 6061 Fax: 0161 839 6027 Location map OS SJ832 983 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Petworth Cottage Museum    Located in the centre of the lovely village of Petworth, this small museum is a restored Leconfield Estate worker's cottage, recreated to look as it would have done around the year 1910. Within the house you will see a scullery, living room, work room, attic, and cellar, and the house is surrounded by a cottage garden. 346 High Street, Petworth, West Sussex, England, GU28 0AU Attraction Type: Museum Location: on A283 Website: Petworth Cottage Museum Email: petworthcottagemuseum@yahoo.co.uk Phone: 01798 342 100 Fax: 01798 343 467 Location map OS SU977215 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pickford's House Museum of Georgian Life and Costume    Georgian house preserved as it would have appeared had you visited in the early 19th century. Georgian and Victorian costumes, "below stairs" rooms, restored formal gardens. 41 Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire, England, DE1 1DA Attraction Type: Museum Website: Pickford's House Museum of Georgian Life and Costume Phone: 01332 255 363 Fax: 01332 716 670 Location map Details of Pickford's House Museum of Georgian Life and Costume OS SK347 365 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Pitt Rivers Museum    Prehistory, ethnology, and the arts of all periods and cultures. This is one of Oxford's most popular museums. South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, OX1 3PP Attraction Type: Museum Location: Closed until spring 2009 Website: Pitt Rivers Museum Email: prm@prm.ox.ac.uk Phone: 01865 270 927 Fax: 01865 270 943 Location map OS SP514069 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens    Quex House is a relaxed, genteel building, home to the Powell-Cotton family. There is a fascinating museum of African and Oriental life oin the site. The house itself offers an enjoyable mix of fine furnishings in an informal, setting. Among the many articles on display are antique clocks, English glassware, silver, and paintings. Quex Park, Birchington, Kent, England, CT7 0BH Attraction Type: Museum Location: S of station and church, via Park Lane Website: Powell-Cotton Museum, Quex House and Gardens Phone: 01843 842 168 Location map OS TR309 683 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Primavera    Well established gallery of contemporary British art. 10 King's Parade, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, CB2 1SJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: opposite Kings College Website: Primavera Email: contactprimavera@aol.com Phone: 01223 357 708 Location map OS TL448 584 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Printing House Museum    Trace the history of printing in this hands-on museum located next to Wordsworth House. Learn how type is set, then get a chance to typset your own name. 102 Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, CA13 9LX Attraction Type: Museum Location: off A594 Website: Printing House Museum Email: info@printinghouse.co.uk Phone: 01900 824984 Fax: 01900 823124 Location map OS NY119 307 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Quay House Visitor Centre    An integral part of the transportation system, the Quay House with its overhanging roof was used to store goods destined for canal transportation. Today the building houses exhibits on the history of the Quayside and an audio visual display on the 2,000 years of the city's history. It is also a useful starting point for touring the city, as it provides visitor information (and Quayside treasure hunts!). 46 The Quay, Exeter, Devon, England, EX2 4AN Attraction Type: Museum Website: Quay House Visitor Centre Phone: 01392 271 611 Location map OS SX921 921 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Reading Museum    One of the premier museums in Britain, devoted to archaeology, art, history and natural history from prehistory to the present day. There is an extensive collection of artefacts relating to local history, but the museum also features a recreation of the Bayeux Tapestry, extensive exhibits on the Roman settlement of Silchester, local art and multi-media exhibitions of Roman artefacts and the archaeology of the Thames Valley. The Town Hall, Blagrave Street Reading, Berkshire, England, RG1 1QH Attraction Type: Museum Website: Reading Museum Phone: 0118 939 9800 Fax: 0118 939 9881 Location map OS SU717 736 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

REME Museum of Technology    This museum is dedicated to showcasing the heritage of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (CREME) and their contribution to enduring engineering excellence and society. Displays cover the history of the Corps, REME vehicles from 1942 to the 1990s, a history of electronic training and its uses in the military, and historical tableaux comparing barracks in use in the 1950s and today. Full wheelchair access. Isaac Newton Road, off Biggs Lane, Arborfield Garrison Arborfield, Berkshire, England, RG2 9NJ Attraction Type: Museum Location: 4 miles SW of Wokingham, off the A327 Website: REME Museum of Technology Email: enquiries@rememuseum.org.uk Phone: 0118 976 3375 Location map OS SU770 660 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Riverside Museum    Reading's museum of industrial heritage features reconstructions of a Victorian printing shop, a bakery, barber's shop, gypsy caravan. and turbines dating from the 1920's. Blake's Lock, off Kenavon Drive Reading, Berkshire, England, RG1 3DH Attraction Type: Museum Location: next to the Bel & Dragon Pub Website: Riverside Museum Phone: 0118 939 0918 Location map OS SU725 735 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Roald Dahl Museum    For all kids and wannabe kids out there, this is a must-see. Enter the chocolatey doors of the Roald Dahl Museum for a memorable excursion into the mind of the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and other modern kids classics. Interactive Story Centre. Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, England, HP16 0AN Attraction Type: Museum Website: Roald Dahl Museum Email: