The Priest's House Museum & Garden, 23-27 High Street, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1HR
01202 882533  priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk

About Us - Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get to the museum using public transport?

From Poole bus station there is a bus service approximately every 15 minutes to Wimborne Minster (Wilts & Dorset, route 3). From Bournemouth Square and Bournemouth train station there is a bus service approximately every 30 minutes to Wimborne Minster (Wilts & Dorset, route 13). Alight at Wimborne Square, from where the museum is 1 minute's walk.

Does the museum have a car park?

The museum does not have a car park. See the Maps page for further details.

Is the museum open on Bank Holidays?

The museum is open on all Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of August.

How long will it take to go round the museum?

We recommend that you allow at least 1 to 1½ hours for your visit (not including time to visit the tearoom!).

Do you have wheelchair access?

The ground floor and garden is fully accessible. A film can be viewed of the four exhibition galleries upstairs, along with an information folder of images and copies of the interpretation panels.

Who is entitled to concessionary admission?

The concessionary admission rate is offered to senior citizens, disabled visitors, those not in paid employment and students.

Can I leave the museum and return on the same day?

Yes. Simply show your dated receipt on your return.

What is the difference between a season ticket and membership of the Friends?

A season ticket entitles the bearer to unlimited visits to the museum during the main season (except on certain event days).

The Friends of the Priest's House Museum make a real contribution to the future of the museum. They organise regular social events, including illustrated talks, lunches, trips to sites of historical interest and much more. Membership of the Friends entitles the member to free admission to the museum (except on certain event days). For further information, or to join, please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

Can I take photographs in the museum?

Photography is not permitted inside the building. Photographs may be taken in the garden.

What does the museum offer groups?

The museum offers guided tours and undirected visits to booked groups of 10 or more. For further information or to make a booking please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

What does the museum offer schools?

The museum has a varied and flexible programme of formal and informal lifelong learning opportunities for everyone, using the building and its collections as inspiration. For further information or to make a booking please call Anne Brown, Learning & Community Outreach Officer, on 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

Does the museum offer work experience?

The museum provides some work experience placements for students who are interested in exploring a career in museums. These limited spaces do fill up quickly. For further information please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

I have a question about local heritage or my family's history. Can the museum help?

Yes. The museum's library has a large collection of information relating to life in Wimborne Minster and East Dorset. We have census details, trade directories, parish magazines, local ephemera, photographs and much more. There is also a large selection of local history and reference books. For further information please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

I would like to get more involved in the museum. What options are open to me?

Volunteers of all ages give more than 10,000 hours of their time to the museum each year. We value every hour that is volunteered. If you would like to discover more about helping your local museum and the benefits of volunteering for you, please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

The Friends of the Priest's House Museum make a real contribution to the future of the museum. They organise regular social events, including illustrated talks, lunches, trips to sites of historical interest and much more. For further information, or to join, please call 01202 882533 or email us at priestshouse@eastdorset.gov.uk.

Why is it called the Priest's House?

The name of the building is first recorded on an Ordnance Survey map of 1885. However, there is no documentary evidence to suggest that it was the house of one of the canons of the Minster Church.