Photo: Chris Talbot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Alexander Keiller Museum is a Grade II listed museum in Wiltshire, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Alexander Keiller Museum
The Alexander Keiller Museum occupies Avebury's old farmyard buildings in Wiltshire, adjacent to the great stone circle.
It houses one of Britain's most important Neolithic archaeology collections, much of it recovered during excavations in the 1920s and 1930s.
The National Trust manages the museum and surrounding site.
The exhibition spaces include a 17th-century thatched barn and the former stables of Avebury Manor.
A short walk from the museum leads to the stones themselves.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Alexander Keiller Museum
The museum takes its name from Alexander Keiller, a Scottish marmalade heir and amateur archaeologist who bought much of the Avebury estate in the 1930s and funded extensive excavation and restoration of the stone circles. His finds, including flintwork and pottery, formed the basis of the collection first opened to the public in 1938. The museum is housed partly in buildings that once served as the estate's farm stables.
Architecture of Alexander Keiller Museum
The collection is displayed across two buildings: a 17th-century thatched barn and the former stables of Avebury Manor, both adapted for museum use rather than purpose-built.
Worth knowing
Alexander Keiller was heir to the Dundee marmalade firm and used his fortune to buy and excavate Avebury, saving many fallen stones by re-erecting them on their original sockets. One notable find on display is a medieval skeleton discovered in 1938, identified by coins to the 14th century and found with scissors and a probe beneath a stone.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Alexander Keiller Museum
Address: Avebury, SN8 1RF
Nearest station: Pewsey Rail Station (7.1 miles)
Part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape: see all the National Trust places there, with a map and day-trip routes.
Places to visit near Alexander Keiller Museum
West Kennet Avenue
View West Kennet Avenue on heritage mapWindmill Hill
View Windmill Hill on heritage mapWest Kennet Long Barrow
View West Kennet Long Barrow on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Alexander Keiller Museum (SN8) there are 8 historic properties, including 4 archaeological sites and 3 historic buildings, across English Heritage, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of Alexander Keiller Museum (SN8) there are 13 historic properties, including 4 historic buildings, 4 archaeological sites and 3 historic houses, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and National Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Alexander Keiller Museum (SN8) there are 51 historic properties, including 18 historic buildings, 10 archaeological sites and 10 historic houses, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near Alexander Keiller Museum.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
The archaeology collection behind the Avebury stones, assembled by the marmalade heir who saved them.
- Type
- museum
- Location
- Wiltshire, England
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