Situated across two floors, the Museum of the Iron Age tells the story of the Danebury hillfort which lies to the south west of Andover. The hillfort was excavated by Professor Barry Cunliffe between 1969 and 1988 and is one of the best-studied sites of the British Iron Age.

Using real artefacts alongside reconstructions based on discoveries made during the excavations, the museum explores life in the hillfort, including defence, home life, farming and religious beliefs.

The Museum of the Iron age is situated in the same buuilding as Andover Museum, which tells the story of the town and surrounding area.

Grade II listed, the museum building started life as a Georgian townhouse in the mid 18th century. Evidence of this can be seen in the fine staircase, wooden panelling and decorative fireplaces. In the 1840s, the building was purchased by local philanthropist Martha Gale who gifted it to Andover Grammar School. The brick extension that houses the Museum of the Iron Age was added in the 1880s.

Things to do

The museum is a great place for the whole family to enjoy. Here are just a few of the things you can do during your visit:

  • Visit the replica roundhouse and handle real Iron Age artefacts
  • Discover the Fullerton Mosaic and learn more about Roman life
  • Explore the Danebury hillfort and imagine what life would have been like
  • Spot the objects around the museum with our fun activity sheets
  • Browse the museum shop and visit our welcoming café selling a selection of hot and cold drinks, cakes, biscuits and crisps. Bring your own cup for 30p off your hot drink!

Fullerton Mosaic

This beautiful mosaic floor decorated the main room of a Romano-British villa in the nearby village of Fullerton. The centre piece to the mosaic is the god Mars in his role as protector of agriculture.

Discovered in 1872, the Mars mosaic was later removed by the landowner, William Cory, and laid in the entrance hall of his nearby manor house. With the help of grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and a number of local supporters, the mosaic was purchased and lifted by a team of specialists. After appropriate conservation work it was installed at the museum during 2009.

Inside the Roundhouse

Wattle and daub walls give an impression of what life was like inside an Iron Age home. Around the walls are some of the artefacts found during excavation, including some of the finer pottery vessels.

Grain storage and daily bread

Reconstructions and display panels give a flavour of the large grain storage capacity on Danebury, from stores on stilts to storage pits dug into the chalk. Our replica quern stone and clay bread oven show the final stages in producing a dietary staple.

Ritual and religion

Discover how ritual and religion played a significant role in daily life.  Who were the Druids and what were sacred groves? How did they dispose of their dead?

Your visit

Admission

Museum of the Iron Age

Pay once, visit all year! With your ticket, you can enjoy unlimited visits to Museum of the Iron Age and return as many times as you like for a whole year!

TICKET PRICE - PAY ONCE, VISIT ALL YEAR
Adult £4.50
Child (5-15 years) £3.00
Concession £4.00
Under 5s Free
Family Ticket (up to 5 people, max. 2 adults)  - discount applied at checkout £14.50

Prices exclude some special events and activities which may be charged separately. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Find out more about our concession and discounted tickets.

Hampshire Cultural Trust is a charity and so, with your help, we’re able to benefit from the UK government’s Gift Aid scheme. Find out more about Gift Aid.

Café

Takeaway snacks and refreshments are available to purchase from the museum. 

Bring Your Own Cup!

Get 30p off your next hot drink in the museum café when you bring your own reusable cup! Simply present your cup to a member of café staff to claim your discount. 

Accessibility

The museum has a free car park with a disabled bay. There are steps to the front entrance with handrails and an accessible entrance to the rear of the building. The ground floor, including the shop and temporary exhibition gallery, is accessible to wheelchairs. There is a stairlift to the first and second floors. There are some restrictions in the building, please contact us on 01264 366283 before making a special journey.

Assistance dogs are welcome, as long as they are clearly identifiable.

Group and school visits

Materials of the Iron Age - KS2 (Wednesdays during term time only)

Led Session length: 2 hours

£85.00 for up to 33 pupils

This session combines elements of KS2 History and Science to explore life at Danebury hillfort and investigate the materials of everyday Iron Age culture. Pupils have the opportunity to build their understanding of Iron Age Britain through drama, life-size historic sets and museum displays.

Hands-on activities using replica archaeology, real artefacts and specially developed resources support pupils as they compare materials, group artefacts and dip into Iron Age culture.

Materials of the Iron Age sessions can be pre-booked on Wednesdays during term time only. 



Please note that the following staff ratios apply:

•    We request a ratio of 1:5 for KS1 visits. For every 5 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.

•    We request a ratio of 1:10 for KS2 visits. For every 10 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.

•    We request a ratio of 1:15 for KS3 visits. For every 15 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.



You are welcome to bring extra adults, who will be charged at the group adult entry rate of £3.00 per adult.



To make a booking for a facilitated workshop of Materials of the Iron Age please enquire here: https://hampshireculturaltrust.typeform.com/to/ip4ynkRS 

 

Self-led - Iron Age school visits (Fridays during term time only)

Visit length: 2 hours

We welcome pre-booked self-led school visits to the Iron Age Museum, where you provide your own learning materials and resources. Please note that self led visits are only available on Fridays during term time. Tickets for self-led visits are £1.50 per child. Please note that the following staff ratios apply:

  • We request a ratio of 1:5 for KS1 visits. For every 5 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.
  • We request a ratio of 1:10 for KS2 visits. For every 10 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.
  • We request a ratio of 1:15 for KS3 visits. For every 15 children you bring, one adult will be admitted free of charge.

You are welcome to bring extra adults, who will be charged at the group adult entry rate of £3.00 per adult.

To make a booking for a self led trip, please enquire here: https://hampshireculturaltrust.typeform.com/to/ip4ynkRS

 

Iron Age Loan boxes for schools

These exciting and inspirational loan boxes contain costumes, artefacts and teaching materials, designed to supplement and support classroom learning. The Iron Age-themed loan boxes available to book are 'Stone Age to Iron Age' and 'Iron Age Celts'.

For more information and to find out how to book your box via our Hampshire Cultural Gosport-based venue SEARCH, please see 'Loan boxes'.

How to get here

By car: from the A303 and inner ring road, follow signs for the town centre and brown signs for Andover Iron Age Museum.  At New Street roundabout, turn into Newbury Street and then first right into Church Close. The museum is the last building on the right. Our car park is next to the museum and pay and display parking is available off Newbury Street.

By rail: the museum is within walking distance of Andover Station. At the end of Station Approach, turn right into Charlton Road. At the roundabout, head right, cross Western Avenue Road then head up Charlton Road into Marlborough Street. At the top of the road, turn left into Newbury Street and then take the first left into Church Close.

By bus: Andover Bus Station is a 10 minute walk away through the Chantry shopping centre. Follow blue signs in the High Street

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