Guided Walk: “God, Gossip, Scandal & Riots”

Discover some of the lively, outrageous and shocking events in the town’s past!

Whether you’re new to the area or a resident of long-standing, you’re bound to discover lots you didn’t know about Thornbury’s history on this FREE guided walk, led by museum volunteers on this Heritage Weekend.

Numbers are limited, so please book early by emailing the museum or by ringing the museum on 01454 857774 or by calling in Tues to Fri from 1-4pm or Sat from 10am to 4pm.  Participants should be aged 16 and over.   The guided walk will begin at 2pm and finish at approx. 4.30pm.

The walk will start outside St Mary’s Church, Castle Street, Thornbury.

Our Town: A Walk through Time

Are you new to Thornbury or one of the neighbouring villages?   Maybe you’ve lived here a while but don’t know much about the town’s history?

In either case, do join museum volunteers for an evening stroll around the town to find out how it has grown and changed over the centuries. We’ll be telling stories about the buildings and streets and the people who have lived here.

The walk will last around two hours and is suitable for wheelchair users.  (We would ask you not to bring dogs, please, except for guide dogs.)

Come and enjoy a midsummer evening stroll – and learn something (painlessly) along the way!

The cost is £3, with all profits going towards the upkeep of the Museum.

Tickets need to be booked in advance, either in person from the Museum in Chapel Street, or by telephone on 857774, or email.  (There won’t be an instant response to your email but you will get a response.)  If you’re booking in person, museum opening hours are Tuesdays to Fridays 1-4pm and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.

SORRY – THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. 

Let us know if you’d like to be put on the reserve list, in case anyone drops out.

For Whom the Bell Tolled… Stories Behind the Stones

Take a guided walk with us around St Mary’s Churchyard, Thornbury.  In 1879 a young woman called Lucy Derrick was brutally murdered on the road just outside the town. She was laid to rest in the churchyard. Soon her tale was forgotten by all but a few people and over time her headstone became dilapidated and displaced.

Last autumn, volunteers at Thornbury & District Museum decided to try to get the stone restored and with the generous assistance of Thornbury Town Council, this project was achieved earlier this year.

On Wednesday 20 September, local historian Meg Wise will relate Lucy’s tragic story and point out the graves of some of the other fascinating townspeople from the past.

Meet at the Church for a 6pm start. The walk will take about 1½ hours. We regret that the walk is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Tickets priced £7.50 must be purchased in advance from the Museum, by telephone (01454 857774) or email or you can visit the Museum on Tuesdays-Fridays 1-4pm, Saturdays 10am-4pm.

The money raised will go towards the restoration costs of Lucy’s headstone.

Thornbury Castle Grounds

SORRY – THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED!

Volunteers from the museum invite you on an evening walk strolling around the exterior of Thornbury Castle’s walls and looking inside the courtyard and the gardens of this Tudor castle. This is a chance to learn something of the history of the site.

We start outside St. Mary’s Church at 6.30pm and the walk will take about one and a half to two hours.  Suitable for wheelchair users.  No dogs please, except for guide dogs.

Tickets cost £3 for adults (free for accompanied children of 10 and over) and should be booked in advance from the Museum.