St Neots Museum
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    The story of St Neots gallery takes you from the 11th century Benedictine priory to the coming of the railway in 1851.

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    Discover what Victorian life was like for our ancestors in the village hall gallery.

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What’s on

Link to: What’s on

What’s on at St Neots Museum

We organise a variety of specialist and family events from walks, talks, one-day festivals, temporary and touring exhibitions.

Read our articles

Unicorns – a brief history

8 April 2021
From ferocious beasts to friendly rainbow spouting mascots, it turns out that unicorns have been around in some form or other from the earliest of civilisations. As April 9th marks National Unicorn Day,…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Unicorn-from-he-history-of-four-footed-beasts-and-serpents-by-Edward-Topsell-1658.jpg 454 598 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-04-08 13:09:092021-04-08 13:11:10Unicorns – a brief history

The origins of the Easter Bunny

24 March 2021
Spring is finally here, which can only mean that Easter is just around the corner... One way in which we'll likely all be celebrating is by buying and eating a chocolate Easter egg, delivered by the Easter…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Easter-Blog-Header.png 900 1600 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-03-24 15:06:352021-03-24 15:06:35The origins of the Easter Bunny

The Ides of March – a quick lesson on the Roman calendar

12 March 2021
“Beware the Ides of March” – these prophetic words spoken by a soothsayer to Julius Caesar in Shakespeare’s play, are often brought to mind each time the 15th March rolls around. But what actually…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Vincenzo_Camuccini_-_La_morte_di_Cesare.jpg 1161 2048 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-03-12 12:11:462021-03-12 12:11:46The Ides of March – a quick lesson on the Roman calendar

Surviving the odds – the story of the St Neots Quads

25 February 2021
The Miles quadruplets, Ann, Ernest, Paul and Michael, soon to be known the world over as the ‘St Neots Quads’, were born on the 28th November 1935 at 13 Ferrars Avenue, Eynesbury. They were the first…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/The-Four-Quads-in-a-cot-1936.jpg 1112 1500 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-02-25 15:30:302021-02-25 15:30:30Surviving the odds – the story of the St Neots Quads

Jeremy Bentham – Philosopher, utilitarian, eccentric

12 February 2021
This 15th February marks Jeremy Bentham’s 273rd birthday. But, if you’re unfamiliar with the name, never fear! We’ve put together a quick summary of his professional life, along with a list of our…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Jeremy-Bentham.png 402 500 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-02-12 17:09:552021-02-12 17:15:39Jeremy Bentham – Philosopher, utilitarian, eccentric

February festivals

26 January 2021
If the cold, dark days are getting you down, then here's a blog from our curator Liz to bring you a little cheer! During the gloomiest days of the year, when spring and summer seem a long way into the…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Quadspancakescp-scaled.jpg 1996 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-01-26 14:40:562021-01-26 14:40:56February festivals

A history of time – the story behind our days, weeks, and months

22 January 2021
Who do we have to thank for our divisions of time? And how did the days and months get their names? Read on to find out in our brief history of time… We’ve been thinking a lot about time recently.…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/sundial-167747_640.jpg 426 640 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-01-22 14:44:022021-01-26 14:46:20A history of time – the story behind our days, weeks, and months

The history of the rubber duck

13 January 2021
It turns out there’s a national day for EVERYTHING, and the 13th January just so happens to be Rubber Duck Day! As we could all do with some light distraction, here’s a brief history of our beloved…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Rubber-Ducks-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-01-13 00:01:372021-01-12 16:35:38The history of the rubber duck

St Neots’ sporting heroes

8 January 2021
If you're thinking of taking up a new sport or joining an exercise class this January, then you'll be in good company! St Neots has a proud sporting heritage, much of which is celebrated in the museum…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/A-game-of-Bandy-ice-hockey-on-St-Neots-Common-in-1970.jpg 615 1268 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-01-08 12:02:372021-01-08 12:03:49St Neots’ sporting heroes
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Watch our videos

Family crafts – Easter hat

26 March 2021
Have a go at making your very own Easter chick hat! Watch the video to see how it's done, and click on the links below to download the template and step-by-step instructions... Please Note: There's…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Easter-Hat-3-scaled.jpg 2560 1920 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2021-03-26 12:31:502021-03-26 12:31:50Family crafts – Easter hat

Toddler Time – Christmas

17 December 2020
Our Education Officer Lesley is back with a quick Christmas edition of Toddler Time! Join her as she goes on a search for some Christmas present ideas in the museum. There's also two Christmas poems…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Photo-16-12-2020-12-10-50-1-e1608217360521.jpg 768 1024 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-12-17 15:07:512020-12-17 15:07:51Toddler Time – Christmas

Curator’s Corner – Our Medieval Skeleton

24 November 2020
If you've been to the museum, you'll have seen our human skeleton displayed in our Early History Gallery. Lots of people think that this is the skeleton of St Neot himself, but we're sorry to say they're…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG_6792-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-11-24 13:02:522020-11-24 13:02:52Curator’s Corner – Our Medieval Skeleton

Curator’s Corner – Ghosts of St Mary’s Churchyard

27 October 2020
Come along with us as we take a quick, ghostly tour around St Mary's Churchyard, with our curator Liz Davies. We've not been able to run our regular Ghost Walks this year, and so we've decided to do…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_6744-2-scaled.jpg 2114 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-10-27 11:29:252020-10-27 11:34:27Curator’s Corner – Ghosts of St Mary’s Churchyard

Curator’s Corner – Victor Ekins and the Battle of Britain

11 September 2020
Join our curator Liz for the latest edition of #CuratorsCorner. September 2020 marks the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and in this episode, Liz tells us all about local Battle of Britain…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Victor-Ekins-.jpg 444 600 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-09-11 13:22:232020-09-11 13:23:40Curator’s Corner – Victor Ekins and the Battle of Britain

Toddler Time – Behind the Scenes at the Museum

4 September 2020
It's Toddler Time once again! In this edition, we join Lesley as she takes a look behind the scenes at the museum, searching through the museum stores to find hidden treasures. As usual, we finish…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Capture1-e1599659787534.png 459 600 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-09-04 17:08:342020-09-09 13:56:44Toddler Time – Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Curator’s Corner – Edwardian Police Cells

14 August 2020
Join our curator Liz for a quick tour around the Edwardian police cells that form part of the museum. See where the prisoners would have slept and exercised, and find out why the water cistern for…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Still.png 450 600 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-08-14 13:02:442020-09-08 09:57:19Curator’s Corner – Edwardian Police Cells

Family Crafts – Shadow Monsters

7 August 2020
In our latest crafty video we show you how to make your very own shadow puppet monster using materials from around the home. Why not make a whole gang of monsters so that you can create your own play?…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Shadow-Monster-scaled-e1597410305324.jpg 2176 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-08-07 09:16:562020-08-07 09:16:56Family Crafts – Shadow Monsters

Toddler Time – Museum Sounds

5 August 2020
Welcome to our latest edition of Toddler Time! This month, were exploring the museum in search of some sounds. Come along and join us on our adventure! If you'd like to have a go at the activity at…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_5852-scaled.jpg 2560 2560 Rosanna Ring https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Rosanna Ring2020-08-05 12:33:362020-08-06 11:24:27Toddler Time – Museum Sounds
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From our collection and exhibitons

Anglo-Saxon silver coins

7 February 2019
Two Anglo-Saxon silver pennies of Aethelred II who reigned 978-1016 and minted at Huntingdon by the moneyer, Aelfric. The coins were discovered by a local metal detectorist and purchased through the National Treasure Scheme.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/aethelred.jpg 400 495 Richard Slade https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Richard Slade2019-02-07 19:44:412020-05-20 14:51:46Anglo-Saxon silver coins

The Bank of St Neots

7 February 2019
A regency banknote issued by the short-lived bank of St Neots in 1824. Donated by a family who owned a pawn shop in Enfield, London, where it is believed the note was given in payment for a property.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Banknote1cp.jpg 400 495 Richard Slade https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Richard Slade2019-02-07 19:38:572020-05-20 14:56:29The Bank of St Neots

John Bellingham at the Old Bailey

7 February 2019
A print of John Bellingham, a merchant who spent part of his childhood in St Neots, and later in life murdered the British Prime Minister, Spencer Percival. The print depicts Bellingham standing in…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Bellingham1816.jpg 400 495 Richard Slade https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Richard Slade2019-02-07 19:33:282020-05-20 15:12:50John Bellingham at the Old Bailey

Mammoth bone

7 February 2019
Most mammoths become extinct at the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago, and this tooth from a full-sized male was discovered in Sandy Heath Quarry in 2003. Mammoths had an incredible 5 to…
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/home-post-slider-2019-6.jpg 400 495 Richard Slade https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Richard Slade2019-02-07 11:29:242020-04-23 11:03:39Mammoth bone

The St Neots parish chest

14 April 2018
The St Neots parish chest has been on display in the museum since we opened in 1998 after being restored and preserved is a long-term loan from the parish church.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/The-St-Neots-parish-chest.jpg 571 900 Liz Davies https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Liz Davies2018-04-14 20:21:152020-04-23 11:01:03The St Neots parish chest

James Toller, the Eynesbury Giant

7 July 2017
James Toller was born in St Neots in 1798 and by the age of ten was already 5ft 5 inches tall. Sadly James died when he was only 20-years-old but we have some interesting stuff about his life.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/home-post-slider-2019-7.jpg 400 495 Liz Davies https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Liz Davies2017-07-07 09:52:582019-02-07 11:59:12James Toller, the Eynesbury Giant

Paine’s Brewery and the history of brewing in St Neots

7 July 2017
The first large-scale brewery in St Neots is thought to have been established by Samuel Emery who purchased The Bull Inn on the Market Square and the public house next door so that he could brew in larger quantities.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/home-post-slider-2019-9.jpg 400 495 Liz Davies https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Liz Davies2017-07-07 09:38:392019-02-07 12:24:38Paine’s Brewery and the history of brewing in St Neots
paper mill little paxton

History of the paper mill, Little Paxton

6 July 2017
There was an active mill on the site in Little Paxton since the monks of St Neots priory owned a water-powered medieval corn-grinding mill called Okestubbe.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/1996.67.330048.jpg 600 900 Liz Davies https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Liz Davies2017-07-06 21:54:352019-02-07 11:32:01History of the paper mill, Little Paxton

The world’s oldest surviving quadruplets

5 July 2017
In St Neots in 1935 something rather unusual happened – in the upstairs bedroom of a council house, four tiny babies were born. We’ve collected together some of their belongings for you to see.
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https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/home-post-slider-2019-5.jpg 400 495 Liz Davies https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Liz Davies2017-07-05 11:13:452019-02-07 12:03:21The world’s oldest surviving quadruplets
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Found something interesting?

Have you dug up some archaeology in the garden, found an antique in the attic or at the back of a drawer – if it’s of local historical value we might be interested. Contact Cambridgeshire finds officer on 01223 728571 or pop in to the museum for a chat.

St Neots Museum

The Old Court
8 New Street
St Neots PE19 1AE

01480 214163
curators@stneotsmuseum.org.uk

Opening and admission

We’re open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm.

Free entry to the museum for local residents. Non-residents: Adults £3, seniors £2 and children £1.
Fees apply for some events.

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