Shire Hall Museum – Monlife
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Exciting Changes Ahead for Shire Hall!

The Shire Hall Museum in Monmouth will close to the public on 20 December 2025 and will be closed throughout 2026 to reopen early in 2027 as we undergo an exciting refurbishment. Until then, we remain open 11.00 am to 4:00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays (holiday opening hours may vary). Admission is FREE.

This is the second stage of a two-stage project, during the first stage we worked closely with our local communities to understand what stories people most care about and activities people want the new museum to offer. The new galleries will highlight the history of Monmouth, the Shire Hall as a courthouse, and our internationally significant Admiral Nelson collection.

This ambitious project will breathe new life into our Grade I-listed building, transforming it into a vibrant, accessible community space at the heart of Monmouth.

We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to the new Shire Hall Museum in early 2027, connecting Monmouth’s rich past with an exciting future.

Thank you for your continued support as we make this exciting vision a reality.

The project is funded by:

  • National Lottery Heritage Fund – Thanks to National Lottery players’
  • Welsh Government’s Cultural Transformational Capital Programme
  • Wolfson Foundation – The Wolfson Foundation
  • UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund

What Are Our Plans?

We’re creating a museum experience that’s more dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring than ever before. Here’s what’s coming:

  • New gallery spaces that bring Monmouth’s fascinating history to life, featuring the renowned Nelson Collection, the story of Shire Hall itself, and the dramatic trial of Chartist leader John Frost and others for high treason during the Newport Rising.
  • The Monmouth Gallery, showcasing captivating stories such as aviation and motoring pioneer Charles Rolls, world-famous portrait photographer Angus McBean, women’s rights advocate Eleanor Shelley Rolls and the unique relationship between the River Wye and Monmouth.
  • Open museum stores, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at our collections and the chance to explore treasures usually kept out of sight.
  • Community exhibition areas and flexible spaces designed for events, workshops, and activities, making Shire Hall a true hub for creativity and learning.
  • Interactive interpretation, combining digital solutions with traditional displays, hands-on objects, and plenty of engaging activities to keep visitors of all ages inspired.
  • Modern upgrades to ensure comfort and sustainability, including new heating systems, secondary glazing, and a welcoming reception with a refreshed shop.
Design Proposal for New Impact of War Displays
Illustrative Sketch for Community Room Proposals

What can I see and do when the museum is closed?

During the complete transformation of our galleries, we won’t be able to host exhibitions on-site, but the stories don’t stop here! You can continue to explore our fascinating collections online anytime at www.monlifecollections.co.uk.

From early summer 2026, we’ll also have exciting volunteering opportunities based at the Market Hall in Monmouth. Opportunities will be announced on our website with information on how to apply.

And while Shire Hall is being reimagined, why not discover more history at our other museums? Both Abergavenny Museum and Chepstow Museum remain open and ready to welcome you – perfect for a day of exploration!

Get in touch

To contact Shire Hall, please email Shirehall@monmouthshire.gov.uk or call 01600 775257. Follow Shire Hall, Monmouth on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date with the latest events, offers and information.

For more information on this project, please keep an eye out on this webpage and our social media channels.

At Shire Hall you can find out about the events associated with the Newport rising through courtroom and cell displays and audio-visual guides. Staff have been working to increase the exhibitions and activities throughout the building and visitors can now see:

Ground floor

  • Eddie Butler History of Monmouth video
  • Children’s activities including colouring, puppet theatre and show
  • Changing exhibitions
  • A model of Monmouth town

First Floor

  • Short film – 15 minute heritage of Monmouth

Courtroom 1

  • Chartist video
  • Dressing up

Courtroom 2

  • Henry V tapestry
  • Rockfield interactive
  • Changing Temporary Exhibition

Judge’s room

A mockup of the judge prior to sitting in court

Public gallery

Sit above the courtroom and take in the atmosphere

Cells

Witness first-hand the environment that prisoners would have experienced

Monmouth is very rightly proud of its connections with Nelson and people have been asking us what is happening with it whilst it is not on display.  We have been carrying out a programme of works on the collection, thanks to funding from Welsh Government and the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales, which include:

  • rehousing the manuscript collection in conservation grade packaging.
  • carrying out conservation work on the books
  • working with an academic and the National Maritime Museum to carry out a significance assessment of our collection
  • beginning a programme of work talking to groups to find out what stories they would like to see in the new displays
  • compiling inventories of the Nelson Collection and inputting that information onto our computer database
  • adding Nelson stories to our collections website https://www.monlifecollections.co.uk/

This post is also available in: Welsh