Eyam Museum
Eyam Museum
4.5
Speciality MuseumsHistoric SitesHistory Museums
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Find out about Bubonic Plague in the Peak District village where it killed over a third of the population in 1665- 1666. Learn about the black rats, the fleas that carried the disease, and see the stories of the families it affected. Understand how the village recovered afterwards. Only assistance dogs allowed. Last admission at 15.15. We may close throughout the day during term times to accommodate school groups. Please see our website for more details www.eyam-museum.org.uk
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • Jpleo
    Lincoln, United Kingdom6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Helpful staff, interesting small Museum
    Very kind and helpful staff, and an interesting museum. I visited with 6 children aged 7-11 and they all enjoyed it. The staff helped them get set up with fancy dress and gave them quiz sheets that they worked through from the information on the boards It's not a large museum, takes about an hour to go through, which is the right size. Particularly interesting topic in the context of covid. Thank you to the kind staff.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 3, 2023
  • sigh
    Nottingham, United Kingdom41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great little museum, well worth a visit
    I love that there is now a museum which is so much better and offered the visitor a lot more information on some important an interesting local history. It’s well priced, it’s not expensive, the staff are really friendly and helpful. I’d spend the extra quid to get the map for some great walks to see the border stone and we’ll etc.. lovely walks with some great wildlife all around us. There is a lot to read, pick and choose what you want if you don’t want to read it all. My teen is a great reader but isn’t one to read much like this ((many are) but she read some key bits and learned something new. There is a bit to dress up in period clothes if you enjoy that. We really enjoyed it, did the walk to the well and border stone and visited the tea shop, a good day out and we all slept well!
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 7, 2023
  • Brian P
    Cupar, United Kingdom431 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent Story of the Plague
    This small museum tells the story of England’s ‘Plague Village’ and does it superbly. Even the school party didn’t spoil our visit! Often local museums have too many words on their information boards. Eyam museum got the balance right.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 7, 2023
  • Laura J
    Sheffield, United Kingdom187 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Small but worth a little visit
    I came to Eyam and the museum due to its notorious plague history. The village itself is an amazing time stamp, with a lot of the original houses and plague cottages still standing and within close proximity to the museum itself. There is free parking just up from the museum and there are toilets bang outside as well. The museum staff are very friendly and give you great information about in and around Eyam. As you walk inside the first room, it has an overview of what the plague is and where did it come from and then how it's been described/presented in different countries throughout time. Through the next room there are information boards describing what events occurred in Eyam around the plague era in chronological order. Overall, there is a lot of written information and is quite small, but the gift shop is quite nice and sells a variety of different item - some related to the plague and some not (scented candles, tea towels, etc.
    Visited April 2023
    Written July 24, 2023
  • Emma19Sunset
    Poole, United Kingdom24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit - small and friendly
    Visited on a wet afternoon and it was quite busy. As past reviews have said, you need to go to the second car park which is donations only. I think a family ticket was £11 and my son was given a quiz to do. Only a small museum but nice to do before a walk around the village. There is also lots of information in the church and lots of cottages have plaques on them with details of the families that lived there during the plague. A very interesting place to visit
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 5, 2023
  • Tina J
    Loughborough, United Kingdom98 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If in Eyam, we’ll worth a visit.
    Well worth a visit. It’s not the largest museum, but full of interesting facts regarding Eyam and the plague. A very good short film reenacting how the village decided to keep the plague in the village and not pass it on.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 29, 2023
  • Margery P
    Fareham, United Kingdom33 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful experience for children and adults a like to understand how thy lived!lost and loved during the plague.
    Having read about the Plague during history lessons at school and in several books the last one based on true story of Eyam village in Peak District. As staying with family on visit from south they told us the village was only 1 and half drive away.So much information about how village coped in hard times being isolated and how it affected peoples mental health. Visit the museum first which has excellent displays of how the plague started and how they survived by isolating themselves from 1665-66 thus preventing the plague spreading. Run by enthusiastic volunteers and can take time to read all the information before walking around the village. Highly recommend.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 30, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles768 reviews
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455
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247
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45
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TiredMummy22
Bedford, UK87 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
It's an interesting museum and well worth the price, seeing the graphics showing the number of deaths in each house is very powerful.

Sending people in in 15 minute intervals means it is really crowded and not safe.

When we arrived the first room was empty but we were told to come back in 10 minutes for our slot. When we did we were then at the back of a very slow moving line that didn't feel safe.
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have just realised I missed replying to some reviews from August last year. Sorry and thanks for taking the time to write. We tried to manage the numbers as best we could, allowing up to 6, then 8 people in every 15 minutes, but some read every word and others skip past the detail. We are making changes to the display this winter 2022-2023, I hope you will be able to visit again and give us another review.
Written October 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jem70
Northamptonshire, United Kingdom4 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2021 • Family
The museum was a great experience, very interesting and informative and gave a good insight as to what the village went through during the plague. Having visited the village in the past, this was our first visit to the museum. However we booked in via the website in advance, but due to poor weather conditions were telephoned and asked if we could come earlier so that the museum could close early. This wasn't a problem at all but when we arrived we stood at the reception for over 10 - 15 minutes whilst a large group of people, who hadn't booked in advance and were paying on the door, were allowed entry. This resulted in us getting round the exhibition much slower, so defeating the object of asking us to arrive earlier so they could close. If you are wanting to close early due to bad weather thats understandable, but at the same time you shouldn’t be allowing unbooked visitors in. After all your website does state booking in advance. Social distancing was also difficult to manage, given this large group was allowed in on spec. This unfortunately did spoil our experience.
Written November 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I am sorry that you had this experience. We decided over a month ago(March 2022) to stop with the online booking system and revert to opening our doors and welcoming visitors. Managing the flow of people seems easier! I am pleased that you thought the museum was a great experience, interesting and informative.
Written May 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

James C
Durham, UK18 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Poor customer service.

Travelled 340 miles to visit, got there at 3.25 pm museum shuts at 4pm but will not let you in after 3.15pm even if you offer to be out by 4pm. we were gleefully told we are shut.

Also do not allow dogs in which is a unnecessary down side.

The museum must be awash with money as our £20 was not wanted (there were 5 adults want to pay to get in).
Written October 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jane53England
Worcester, UK1,136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
Driving through Eyam we parked right opposite the museum but not having pre booked called in to see if there were any available time slots. The lady was very helpful and squeezed us in for a later tour which meant we could walk back through the village and see the cottages where the families lived and died from the plague, very sad.
Our tour ( not guided) just a certain amount of people at one time to maintain Covid restrictions was very interesting, lots of information to read and very well presented, right up to the present day and our own Covid pandemic.
At £3.50 entrance fee for adults we thought was excellent value.
Written August 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and 5 stars.
Written May 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

BriKH23
Manchester, UK193 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
It was a very informative visit that helped you learned a whole lot about the area. There aren't many artifacts at all, it's mainly reading so not a museum in a more extradition sense. The women at the front were very kind and welcoming and examined everything well.

You had to book in advance which was fine to help spread out visitors. We were bang on time (maybe even a few minutes early) but another group arrived not long after us and seemed to totally ignore any social distancing as they went ahead and let them in. Because its mainly reading, you could be reading for a bit before moving on. The group made it a bit uncomfortable until they eventually passed us as they didn't seem too interested in reading too much like we were. Not the fault of the team here, but think they were let in too early anyways.

Otherwise, if you're visiting the area, this is a must to learn the amazing history here before going out to explore it for yourself.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. I am pleased you enjoyed your visit and recognised our fantastic volunteers. We could not open without their support. I am sorry that the number of people allowed in concerned you. Back in July when you visited we were letting in up to 6 people every 15 minutes, then since 19th July we are letting in a maximum of 8 people every 15 minutes. We are constantly reviewing and checking visitor numbers and undertaking risk assessments. Our priority is the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff.
Written August 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

whatlynseydid
Tamworth, UK362 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
I've been wanting to visit Eyam since reading 'A Year of Wonders' a few years back. The village itself is beautiful and very well kept, and I imagined that visiting the museum would bring the past to life for me.
However, it was actually just a long collection of information boards (in a very small space) where you read about the history of the village and the plague. I'm an avid reader, but this became tiresome very quickly, as did waiting for other visitors to read the information before they could move on and so could you.
There was nothing interactive, no interesting displays to view - it was all very dry.
I'd rather have donated the entrance fee to the church, which was much more interesting.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are aware that there is a lot of reading and nothing interactive. We are planning to make changes to improve the visitor experience but that will take a lot of time and money. If you have specific ideas on what you would like to see or what type of interactive engagement you think would work, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please e-mail me on contact@eyam-museum.org.uk
Written August 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

JimandVee
Warrington, UK113 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Eyam (rhymes with TEAM) museum is a little gem of a place. Take it slowly and absorb the story about what this village went through back in 1665. It is a focal point for information about the plague which blighted this tiny community. I was fortunate in meeting with the curator who is a great source of local knowledge and took time to explain many aspects of the village's history to me.
When you walk back through the village you realise that in a way the village is an extension to the museum. Many houses have signs outside listing who lived and died in the property. The Church has a stained glass window which high lights some of the events and an illuminated scroll that lists those that lost their lives, Many of the locations detailed in the museum are still there to find. In fact to this day there are families in Eyam that can trace their lineage back to those sad times.
Currently you need to book at the museum to keep numbers down for COVID reasons.
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and I am sorry for the delay in my response. I am pleased you had an enjoyable visit to the museum and village. We no longer have the online booking system. Just open the doors and welcome visitors in!
Written May 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

J Wabash
Glasgow, UK77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Family
This small museum presents its story in such an effective manner that larger museums could learn a trick or two. The panels are professionally presented, the story concise and informative, and all angles are covered. The story of Eyam itself during the Plague is gripping, and the museum provides insight that ranges from the international context to the local impact. The personalities in the village in 1665 form the story, with both the challenges they face and how they faced up to what was no doubt such a traumatic experience that it caused many to question the meaning of life, if they survived.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. I am pleased you enjoyed your visit to the museum.
Written August 15, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mr Chris Gill
Richmond, UK146 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
We visited our daughters who suggested we visit Eyam, and I immediately knew it was the village that sealed itself off from the whole world after the Black Death had broken out.
The courage of this village is unbelievable and just wouldn't happen in today's society.
The museum is in the village that is a pure joy, with walks, tea room and many other things.
The museum is very friendly and welcoming and although it's only just opened up for the 2023 season it had a constant flow of people through while we were there.
If your in the area, it's well worth a visit, it's a real eye opener in to the sacrifice this village took apon itself.
Written February 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anm53
Stourbridge, UK286 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
The museum covers many aspects of local history and doesn’t focus exclusively on the plague.
Sometimes the museum is closed to allow visits from school parties. This does mean that once the children have gone the museum can get very busy with all the adults that couldn’t get in earlier. A school party came in after us and it then got very noisy. So I agree that the museum is doing the right thing in trying to separate school groups and other customers.
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review. We try to accommodate people as safely as we can. We were closed for the best part of two years and the schools have been trying to catch up, so we have been incredibly busy.
Written August 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Eyam Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Eyam Museum

Eyam Museum is open:
  • Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM


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