Folk & Costume Museum
Found in Saumarez Park, the Museum gives an insight into an earlier age of Island life together with Costume Exhibitions over two floors. We host the only costume and fashion exhibition in the Channel Islands, annually curated from our extensive Costume Collection of over 8,000 items. For 2025, ‘From Cobblestones to Catwalks: 1970’s High Street and High Fashion’ is presented from our own collection and one woman’s personal collection. In its last year “A League of Gentlemen” examines the extraordinary lives, acts of courage and notable achievements of Island men.
Many art and artisan craft exhibitions take place between April and October at the Art at The Park Gallery within the Museum. Please see Event pages for information as it becomes available.
Less than a 15 minute drive from the town centre of St Peter Port and easily accessible by bus, the Museum is access-friendly for all visitors. The Museum Courtyard is available to hire for private functions.
2025 dates and opening times
Tue 1 April - Fri 31 October (closed 9 May, Liberation Day)*
7 days a week: 10am - 5pm (Last entry 4.15pm)
* The Art at the Park Gallery closes on 24th October.
The Museum Shop and some sections of the Museum will close on Monday 27th October to prepare for Christmas.
The Courtyard and parts of the Museum will remain open until closing for the season on Friday 31st October. *
The Museum Christmas Shop
Fri 14 Nov – Sat 20 Dec inclusive
6 days a week: 10am – 4.30pm (closed Monday)
Christmas Courtyard Market with Carols around the Courtyard Tree
Mon 8 Dec 5pm - 8pm (weather dependent)
Entry to the Museum
FREE. Donations are always welcome.
The Museum is access-friendly
While Blue Badge parking is unavailable at the nearest public car park at Saumarez Park, it is available at the North car park, a 5-minute walk on a tarmac path through Saumarez Park to the Museum and nearby Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden (Guernsey Botanical Trust).
Information
The Folk and Costume Museum is open from early Spring through to October each year. Permanent exhibitions depicting the story of Islanders combine with annually changing costume exhibitions. Many art and artisan craft exhibitions take place between April and October at the Art at The Park Gallery within the Museum. Please see Event pages for information as it becomes available.
The much-admired annual Museum Christmas Shop is open from mid-November until just before Christmas and a Christmas Courtyard Market is held in the second week of December.
2025 dates and opening times
Tue 1 April - Fri 31 October (closed 9 May, Liberation Day)*
7 days a week: 10am - 5pm (Last entry 4.15pm)
* The Art at the Park Gallery closes on 24th October.
The Museum Shop and some sections of the Museum will close on Monday 27th October to prepare for Christmas.
The Courtyard and parts of the Museum will remain open until closing for the season on Friday 31st October.
The Museum Christmas Shop
Fri 14 Nov – Sat 20 Dec inclusive
6 days a week: 10am – 4.30pm (closed Monday)
Christmas Courtyard Market with Carols around the Courtyard Tree
Mon 8 Dec 5pm - 8pm (weather dependent)
Entry to the Museum
FREE. Donations are always welcome.
The Museum is access-friendly
While Blue Badge parking is unavailable at the nearest public car park at Saumarez Park, it is available at the North car park, a 5-minute walk on a tarmac path through Saumarez Park to the Museum and nearby Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden (Guernsey Botanical Trust).
Explore
The Folk Museum at Saumarez Park first opened its doors in 1968.
Over the years, the Museum grew from an original collection of traditional farm implements donated by Advocate Walter Langlois, into a rich and vivid representation of Guernsey folk and island life.
More infoFolk & Costume Museum as an event location
The Art at The Park Gallery & Courtyard
A newly created exhibition space and reception area lead directly onto the Courtyard, providing an all-weather meeting place set in unique heritage surroundings.
Learn more about holding an event at Folk & Costume MuseumTours and group visits
Guided tours are likely to take place between 1 May to 18 Sept
Details and prices will be provided as soon as possible. Tour size 10-15 people.
For visiting group tour bookings, please contact the Museum Manager.
Contact: Elainer Lainé, Museum Manager
T: 1481 255384 or Mobile †7781 127476‬
E: fcm@nationaltrust.gg
How to find us
Perry's guide: 15G2
Bus routes: 41 and 42
Location: Saumarez Park, Castel, GY5 7UJ
Facilities and Access
Geocaching: Yes
Parking: Yes
Family: Yes
Refreshments: Salvatore's Cafe at Saumarez Park
WC: Public facilities at Saumarez Park
Access: Ground floor access friendly with lift to second floor Costume Exhibitions
Terrain: Level with cobbled courtyard and surrounding parkland
“The Museum exhibitions possess a wonderful attention to the minutiae of life and create an intriguing bridge between the past and the present”
Folk & Costume Museum
Found in Saumarez Park, the Museum gives an insight into an earlier age of Island life together with Costume Exhibitions over two floors. We host the only costume and fashion exhibition in the Channel Islands, annually curated from our extensive Costume Collection of over 8,000 items. For 2025, ‘From Cobblestones to Catwalks: 1970’s High Street and High Fashion’ is presented from our own collection and one woman’s personal collection. In its last year “A League of Gentlemen” examines the extraordinary lives, acts of courage and notable achievements of Island men.
Many art and artisan craft exhibitions take place between April and October at the Art at The Park Gallery within the Museum. Please see Event pages for information as it becomes available.
Less than a 15 minute drive from the town centre of St Peter Port and easily accessible by bus, the Museum is access-friendly for all visitors. The Museum Courtyard is available to hire for private functions.
2025 dates and opening times
Tue 1 April - Fri 31 October (closed 9 May, Liberation Day)*
7 days a week: 10am - 5pm (Last entry 4.15pm)
* The Art at the Park Gallery closes on 24th October.
The Museum Shop and some sections of the Museum will close on Monday 27th October to prepare for Christmas.
The Courtyard and parts of the Museum will remain open until closing for the season on Friday 31st October. *
The Museum Christmas Shop
Fri 14 Nov – Sat 20 Dec inclusive
6 days a week: 10am – 4.30pm (closed Monday)
Christmas Courtyard Market with Carols around the Courtyard Tree
Mon 8 Dec 5pm - 8pm (weather dependent)
Entry to the Museum
FREE. Donations are always welcome.
The Museum is access-friendly
While Blue Badge parking is unavailable at the nearest public car park at Saumarez Park, it is available at the North car park, a 5-minute walk on a tarmac path through Saumarez Park to the Museum and nearby Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden (Guernsey Botanical Trust).
“The Museum exhibitions possess a wonderful attention to the minutiae of life and create an intriguing bridge between the past and the present”
The Folk Museum at Saumarez Park first opened its doors in 1968.
Over the years, the Museum grew from the original collection of traditional farm implements into a rich and vivid representation of life in Victorian Guernsey.
Set out as a series of furnished rooms of the 1800s, the Museum features a country kitchen, a classroom, a bedroom and a children’s nursery. Traditional Island industries are reflected throughout the premises. An ever-popular exhibit is Lauren House, a four-storey doll’s townhouse, which shows in detail life in late Victorian/early Edwardian days, at one-twelfth of actual size.
In 2008, the Museum was renamed The Folk and Costume Museum, with newly-built costume exhibition areas. The National Trust of Guernsey Costume Collection consists of over 8,000 items, ranging from 18th century to 20th century items, all with local provenance. Costume exhibitions are changed each year.
The Folk and Costume Museum Shop, stocked with Guernsey jumpers, artisan crafts, traditional toys and bespoke chocolate, is set in and amongst a site of granite farm buildings nestled around a cobbled courtyard, where events are held. Private functions may also be held at The Folk and Costume Museum Courtyard.
Folk & Costume Museum
An attractive exhibition space and reception area lead directly onto the Courtyard, providing an all-weather meeting place set in unique heritage surroundings.
- Event management can be arranged
- Rates from £70 per hour.
- 20% Corporate Member discounts
- 10% NTG Member discounts
Please contact Elainer Lainé, Museum Manager