Corinium Museum

Corinium Museum to re-open Monday 3 August

Corinium Museum in Cirencester will reopen its doors on Monday, August 3, welcoming back visitors to its famous archaeological collection after almost five months of lockdown. The Museum will be open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 5pm, and Sunday from 2-5pm.  

New hygiene and social distancing measures will be in place to ensure the health and wellbeing of visitors, volunteers and staff. To help with social distancing, the museum will be limiting the number of visitors and tickets will need to be booked in advance online before your visit at coriniummuseum.org. Tickets will be valid for a one-hour time slot. 

Director of Corinium Museum Amanda Hart, says: “I am delighted that the Museum is able to open again. Museums and the role they play in well-being, inspiration and fun are needed more than ever in the current climate. It is quite often the case that local people don’t visit the places on their doorstep, but I would urge people to support their local museum this summer by making a visit.” 

Councillor Jenny Forde, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing for Cotswold District Council, said: “Corinium Museum is one of the ‘must-see’ attractions in Cirencester and the Cotswolds and is nearing the end of a fabulous new refurbishment project.

“It is fantastic news that the museum is now able to open in time for the school holidays, and for those taking their summer holidays in the UK this year. I’ve been inundated with people asking when the museum will be open again and am expecting it to be very popular with locals and visitors alike.

“We have put a number of measures in place in line with Government guidance so visitors can be confident that the journey through the museum will be as pleasant and safe an experience as possible. 

Safety First

The Museum has achieved Visit Britain’s ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard by demonstrating adherence to the respective Government and public health guidance and the implementation of new safety measures.

Limiting visitor numbers will allow visitors to keep a safe distance from people who are not in the same household. Our friendly and trained staff will be on hand to support visitors to have a great time and stay safe.  

Hand sanitising stations will be available throughout the museum and shop, and acrylic protection panels will be in place at the new Welcome Desk. There will be a one-way system with directional signage to guide visitors around the museum and to assist visitors and staff to respect social distancing. The galleries will be regularly cleaned after each group of visitors has exited the building and visitors will be asked to use contactless/card payments to avoid the handling of cash.

Stone Age to Corinium Project

The museum is in the exciting second phase of the Stone Age to Corinium Project which will create new Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Early Roman galleries displaying rare objects for the first time as well as creating an inspiring garden space and a dedicated ‘hands-on’ Discovery Centre for learning about our heritage and connecting with over 10,000 years of archaeology. 

When the Museum reopens on Monday visitors will be able to see the stunning improvements to the Welcome Desk and shop. The final phase of works continue with the new gallery displays being fitted out and the Discovery Centre being prepared for use. 

Visit the Corinium Museum website to find out more about the project https://coriniummuseum.org/support-us/stone-age-to-corinium/

Contact Information

Cotswold District Council Communications Team

press@cotswold.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Media Contact: Sarah Lewis, sarahlewis@slm-ltd.co.uk | 01285 655611

Image: Cllr Jenny Forde (second left), with Museum Director Amanda Hart and two members of the Ermin Street Guard

About the Corinium Museum

The Corinium Museum is located at the heart of Cirencester, the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’. The principal collection consists of the highly significant finds from the Roman town of Corinium. However, the museum today is much more than that, taking you on a journey through time and charting the development of the Cotswolds from its prehistoric landscape to the modern day.