Westbury Manor Museum

In December 2023, Hampshire Cultural Trust informed Fareham Borough Council of its intention to withdraw from the operation of Westbury Manor Museum on 31 December 2024. Hampshire Cultural Trust currently operates Westbury Manor Museum on behalf of Fareham Borough Council.

On Monday 4 November, Westbury Manor Museum closed to the public and on Tuesday 31 December, Hampshire Cultural Trust will cease operational responsibility for Westbury Manor Museum

More information is available in our Westbury Manor Museum closure update and in our Westbury Manor Museum Frequently Asked Questions


Step inside elegant Westbury Manor in the heart of Fareham to discover a wealth of stories about the town’s people, heritage and industrial past.

Formerly home to no less than six admirals of the fleet, explore Westbury Manor to find out about the borough’s origins as a Stone Age settlement, the infamous workhouse scandal of 1837, its long traditions of brickmaking and strawberry production and much more.

There is plenty for all the family to do during your visit. Become an amateur archaeologist and handle real artefacts, use our interactive tablets to find out more about the displays or have fun with our museum trail quiz and hands-on history playsets suitable for young visitors. While you are here, enjoy a drink or a bite to eat in our café, and browse the wide selection of gifts available in our museum shop. Throughout the year, we run a programme of touring exhibitions, as well as fun events and activities for all the family to enjoy.

Things to do

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

  • Discover more about some of the people who lived in the town and Manor House itself, from high-ranking naval officers to prisoners in the hulks moored in Fareham Creek
  • Find out about the history of the borough, from the impact of the Black Death, the home of the strawberry, to its little-known part in in putting the first man on the moon
  • Younger visitors can explore the museum and join in with quizzes, dressing-up clothes, workshops and drop-in activities
  • Relax in our tranquil gardens inspired by the Victorian passion for collecting curiosities from overseas
  • Browse the museum shop and visit our welcoming café. Bring your own cup for 30p off your hot drink!

Westbury Manor

With its 17th century core, classical Georgian façade and elegant Victorian rear, Grade II listed Westbury Manor is one of Fareham’s finest and most distinctive buildings. From farmhouse to council offices and even air-raid shelter, Westbury has undergone a number of transformations and was converted to its current day use as a local museum in 1990.

Find out about some of the people who lived and worked in Westbury Manor as you tour the museum, including three generations of the Kelsall family. In 1905, the Reverend John Kelsall wrote The Birds of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, a book still used by birdwatchers to this day.

Westbury Manor’s beautiful gardens are designed to reflect both the Victorian era and the global travels of its naval inhabitants. Laid out as a compass, many of the plants are inspired by the Victorian passion for collecting curiosities from overseas.

Three permanent galleries at the museum are dedicated to a period in the life of Fareham. Many of the objects on display have been donated by local people.

A place through time

In this gallery about Fareham’s early history, view archaeological finds from the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages, find out about the impact of the Black Death on the borough and see one of the museum’s highlights, a 4th century Roman lead curse tablet.

Finding a place in the world

Discover more about some of the people who lived in the town during the 18th and 19th centuries, from high-ranking naval officers to prisoners in the hulks moored in Fareham Creek. It was during this period that Fareham emerged as a world leader in brick production – highly fashionable Fareham Reds were used to build the Royal Albert Hall.

A changing place

From the borough’s fame as the home of the strawberry, to its little-known part in in putting the first man on the moon and the ever-shifting urban landscape, discover the changing face of Fareham in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Our café

From brunch to lunch and cream teas, the café at Westbury Manor is the perfect setting for a bite to eat or something to drink. There is plenty of seating, and while you are enjoying something delicious from our locally-sourced menu, take a look at the weird and wonderful collection of curiosities adorning the café’s wall.

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. 

Gift shop

Visit our shop for a range of gifts and souvenirs inspired by the museum’s collections and exhibitions. From books to jewellery, china and bags, we have a wide selection of gifts to browse and buy, including pocket-money toys for our younger visitors. Proceeds help to support the work of Hampshire Cultural Trust throughout the county.

Your visit

Café and picnics 

From brunch to lunch and cream teas, the café at Westbury Manor is the perfect setting for a bite to eat or something to drink. There is plenty of seating, and while you are enjoying something delicious from our locally-sourced menu, take a look at the weird and wonderful collection of curiosities adorning the café's wall.

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. 

Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic which can be eaten in the museum gardens.

Accessibility

Westbury Manor is fully accessible, with a lift to all floors.

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

Group and school visits

To book a group visit or to hire our venue, please call 01329 822063.

Self-led learning resources

Westbury Manor Museum has two exciting self-led programmes available for KS1 and KS2. Please read the information below on how to facilitate a self-led visit to this museum.

How do I use the backpacks?

The backpacks contain activities which are linked to the KS1& KS2 curriculum. It is designed to be used flexibly so that teachers and educators can pick activity stations which are most relevant or interesting for pupils.

To facilitate a self-led visit you will need to:

  1. Download the KS1 or KS2 Teacher Notes. If you are bringing a whole class (34 max) we recommend the class is split into five groups to use the backpacks, and then rotate. All groups must be accompanied by a teacher/adult helper at all times. We would recommend that one adult stays with a backpack so they are familiar with the activities. This may require an extra adult to help the groups move around the space.
  2. Download the KS1 or KS2 Backpack Information (the information provided should help you decide which activities you might like to utilise).
  3. Download the Hazard Information Sheet for essential Information which will help to plan your visit and inform your Risk Assessment.
Resource Download
Teacher notes Download PDF
Backpack resources KS1 Download PDF
Backpack resources KS2 Download PDF
Hazard information Download PDF

Please call Westbury Manor Museum’s volunteer team who will be able to check availability and confirm a time slot for you. Telephone 01329 822063.

How to get here

Westbury Manor is located in the centre of Fareham, a short walk from the town’s car parks, bus and rail stations.

What is the nature of your enquiry?
  • This museum has been recently renovated so it is a great place to meet friends for coffee and cake and you can wander round the well stocked shop and the museum. The volunteers who work there are very knowledgeable and there is plenty to look at in the cases of artifacts in the café. Well worth a visit.

    Susan W
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