Sitting in the old Town Hall at the Top of the Town, the Willis is easy to overlook because it is surrounded by cafés, pubs and the general business of getting somewhere else.
Inside, it covers Basingstoke and Deane’s history from archaeology through to the modern town, while the Sainsbury Gallery hosts changing regional and national exhibitions.
The building itself is part of the story: the present Town Hall replaced the earlier Mote Hall, where Jane Austen attended dances.
Opening times and entry
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm
- Sunday: 10am to 4pm
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Admission is free and there is no need to pre-book, which makes the Willis particularly useful when you want something interesting to do in town without turning it into an expedition. There is a small café.
Check the current exhibition before visiting — the temporary programme is a significant part of the appeal.
Parking
There is no dedicated museum car park. Use one of the nearby town-centre car parks or Festival Place.
Accessibility
Accessibility is the main caveat: the ground floor, Sainsbury Gallery and café have ramped access, but the first and second floors are reached by stairs, and the museum does not have an accessible toilet on site. The nearest is the Castons Yard public toilet on New Road, about two minutes’ walk away and open 8am to 6pm.
Official information: Hampshire Cultural Trust — Willis Museum & Sainsbury Gallery
Location
