John Moore Museum

About John Moore Museum

The John Moore Museum is part of the Abbey Lawn Trust, a registered Tewkesbury-based building preservation charity. It consists of three late-medieval timber-framed buildings and gardens next to Tewkesbury Abbey. Set up in 1980 and named in memory of local writer and naturalist, John Moore, the museum is home to an extensive natural history collection as well as the beautifully-restored Tudor Merchant’s House. We have recently renovated the historic Old Baptist Chapel, a heritage building with a rich and varied history of both domestic and religious use.

We hold a number of events throughout the year, including live animal events with bats and birds of prey, talks, tours and living history events with reenactors. We also run a learning programme for schools, families and adult interest groups.

We have a modest but informed audience from Britain and abroad with whom we would expect our volunteers to engage. All volunteers work on Front of House which involves welcoming visitors, taking admission money, stewarding, answering questions and providing informal tours to small groups. There are opportunities to get involved with school visits and adult groups, as well as various behind the scenes projects, though this is down to the interest of the individual.

Volunteering Specifics:
- Volunteers must be eighteen or over. If you are a student, we can also offer you a remote digital placement.
- We ask that our volunteers commit to at least two days a month during the main season (April to October), either as half days or full days. It’s useful if you can also do the odd day during winter. Our summer opening times are Tuesday to Saturday plus bank holidays, 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm; winter openings are most Saturdays, bank holidays except Christmas and New Year, and school holidays (same times).
- All volunteers are involved in Front of House duties meaning that you will need to be friendly, confident and comfortable with chatting to people. A willingness to learn about the buildings and collections is important but there is no need for prior knowledge as we will provide training.
- With regret, the nature of the buildings means that it is unsuitable for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues.