Bringing history to life: volunteers and local groups revisit Oatlands Palace

We were delighted to welcome The Mayor of Elmbridge, members of the Surrey County Archaeological Unit, Molesey and Esher History Societies, Walton Library, Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre, and The RC Sherriff Trust to the Civic Centre in Esher for a special viewing of the ‘Excavate Oatlands’ exhibition yesterday. 

These organisations play a vital role in preserving and promoting our local heritage and many of our amazing museum volunteers are members of these history societies. 

We were especially delighted to host volunteers of Surrey County Archaeological Unit. They played a key role in bringing the exhibition to life, having sorted and catalogued an incredible 158 boxes of artefacts unearthed from Oatlands Palace excavations. 

Oatlands Palace, one of Henry VIII’s royal residences near Hampton Court, holds a special place in Weybridge’s history. The artefacts on display were discovered during digs led by the Oatlands Palace Excavation Committee (OPEC) between 1968–74 and 1983–84, and have since been carefully preserved in the museum’s collection. 

In 2019, the Surrey County Archaeological Unit undertook the monumental task of organising and cataloguing these finds, paving the way for this exhibition. It was a pleasure to welcome some of the team back to see the fruits of their labour proudly showcased. 

The Mayor of Elmbridge, Cllr Steve Bax, attended the event and shared his thoughts: 
“It is wonderful to see local history come to life through these temporary exhibitions across the borough, thanks to the tireless dedication of volunteers and the museum team. We are fortunate to have artefacts from Henry VIII’s Oatlands Palace in our collection, and I encourage everyone to visit and explore the museum’s programme.” 

About the Exhibition 
‘Excavate Oatlands’  introduces visitors to Tudor life in Weybridge, with a special focus on the fashions and styles of the era when the palace was built. 

Opening Hours 

• Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:00pm 
• Friday: 8:45am to 4:30pm 
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed 

Explore the exhibition online.

Discover more exhibitions at Cobham, Walton, and The Dittons libraries.