The Cromwell Museum

Galleries & Museums

Location:: Grammar School Walk, Huntingdon PE29 3LF
Phone number:: 01480 708008
Nearest station:: Huntingdon

The Cromwell Museum is home to the best collection of items relating to the life and times of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) on public display anywhere in the world, including portraits, clothing, miniatures, arms and armour, documents and his death mask.

The Museum is located in the former Huntingdon Grammar School building, where Oliver Cromwell was educated as a schoolboy. The building itself is all that remains of a medieval hospital, built to provide hospitality for travellers and pilgrims in the 11th century. The Museum tells the story of Cromwell’s life, from his time at the school and his early years in Huntingdon and St Ives, before he became involved in national politics. On display you are some of his possessions, including his hat and luxurious items given to him later in life, including a magnificent Florentine perfume cabinet, which was a gift from the Grand Duke of Tuscany; and a 17th century medicine chest still with its surgical instruments and tools, which Cromwell is said to have taken on campaign with him.

The Museum tells the story of Cromwell’s military career, and includes several of his swords displayed alongside other weapons, arms and armour of the English Civil War. Displays also include many original and iconic paintings of Cromwell, his family, contemporaries and of events relating to the Civil War, by the great artists of the period including Robert Walker, Sir Peter Lely, William Dobson and Samuel Cooper.

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