Market Hall Museum

The Market Hall Museum stands in the centre of Warwick beside the old market square. Built late in the 17th century, it was designed as a sheltered place for traders to sell their goods. The ground floor was left open with wide arches so carts could pass through easily. Upstairs a row of small rooms was rented out for meetings after 1694. One of these rooms served as a lock-up for prisoners until 1848, when it was condemned as too small and unhealthy. The museum is worth visiting because it is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the country. In 1836 local naturalists formed the Warwickshire Natural History and Archaeological Society and began to collect objects for public display. By 1932 the society handed its entire collection to the county council, making Warwickshire the first council in Britain to run its own museum service. The building itself became a protected ancient monument in 1936 and was later given Grade II* listed status. Inside, visitors find a stuffed bear standing by the entrance in the pose of the Bear and Ragged Staff. Nearby is Oisín the Giant Irish Deer, whose antlers once spanned four metres. The Sheldon Tapestry Map of Warwickshire hangs on one wall, showing towns, roads, woods and church towers in coloured wool. Cases of taxidermy by the Spicer family line the galleries, recalling three generations of skilled local craftsmen. The first-floor rooms still carry the word MUSEUM above the new front door added in 1905.