The Sack House at the Wharf

Nestled away on Mill Street in Wantage, OX12 9GF, the Sack House Museum occupies a historical gem. Situated at the outskirts of what once was a bustling canal basin, now replaced by urban development, this charming edifice has a rich past. Dating back to approximately 1810, soon after the canal’s introduction to Wantage, it served multiple functions including as a weighbridge, office, and hub for coal merchants.

The museum offers visitors a journey through time, with various canal artifacts and informative displays shedding light not only on the canal’s history but also on the industrial archaeology of the wharf area, encompassing structures like the Flour Mill across the way. Its name derives from the prominent enamel sign adorning its facade, a relic from the era of the West of England Sack Hiring Company.

While regular visiting hours are from 10am to 2pm on the first and third Wednesdays and Saturdays of each month, as well as for select special occasions, arrangements can be made for group visits. The museum has hosted diverse groups, from cub packs and beaver scout colonies to adult gatherings.

For convenience, parking is available at the Mill Street Undercroft Pay and Display Car Park (OX12 9AJ), with bus transportation accessible from the Market Place in Wantage town center.

Free Admission, Donations Welcome.

Image courtesy of http://www.wbct.org.uk