Last updated: 15 January 2009 1130 GMT

Take a trip back to days gone by at the county's museums and historic sites.

Arlington Mill Museum, Bibury
Tel: 01285 740368
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Historic watermill with Victorian exhibitions, displays of old agricultural implements and - rumour has it - ghosts.

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum
Tel: 01242 237431
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Plenty to see including the story of Edward Wilson, Cheltenham's Antarctic explorer and the history of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.20pm, Sun 2pm-4.20pm. Closed bank holidays and Easter Sunday.

Clearwell Caves, Coleford
Tel: 01594 832535
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Explore these ancient Forest of Dean iron mines, a fantastic natural cave system. Open March-Christmas. March-October 10am-5pm daily, January and February weekends only, 10am-5pm, Christmas Fantasy, end November-Christmas Eve, 10am-5pm daily.

Corinium Museum, Cirencester
Tel: 01285 655611
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Discover the treasures of the Cotswolds at the new Corinium Museum . Two years and five million pounds in the making, the Corinium Museum has been transformed into the must – see visitor attraction of the Cotswolds. Step through a triumphal arch to arrive in Corinium; second largest city in Roman Britain. Experience life as a Roman. Marvel at the stunning mosaics. Dress as a Roman soldier. Explore their artistry and engineering. www.cotswold.gov.uk/museums

Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum has lots to see for all ages.

Cotswold Motor Museum And Toy Collection, Bourton-on-the-Water
Tel: 01451 821255
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See BRUM the BBC TV car, vehicles, toys, and vintage advertising signs in 18th century watermill. Open February-November, 10am-6pm daily.

Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins near Lechlade GL7 3JJ
Click here for map
Tel: 01367 860491
Loom-shuttles and the smell of wool oil welcome visitors to a celebration of an age-old Cotswold skill in an 18th century working mill. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm, Sun 2pm-6pm.

Dean Heritage Centre, Soudley
Tel: 01594 822170
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Explore the Forest's fascinating history including hands-on activities. Open April-October, 10am-5.30pm daily, November-March, 11am-4pm daily (closed Dec 24-26 and Jan 1).

Forest of Dean Mechanical Organ Museum, Drybrook
Tel: 01594 542278
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Collection of mechanical music from the last 150 years.

Gloucester City Museum And Art Gallery
Tel: 01452 524131
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Displays include the natural wildlife of Gloucester and the early life of the city, with dinosaur reconstructions, unique Roman remains and the amazing Birdlip mirror. Free to Gloucester residents. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm.

Gloucester Folk Museum
Tel: 01452 526467
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Local history, folklore, crafts and industries in Tudor buildings. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm.

Great Western Railway Museum, Coleford
Tel: 01594 833569
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Housed in one of a railway buildings on the original site of Coleford Railway Yard. Open all year, Sat 2.30pm-5pm and Bank Holiday Mons except Christmas and New Year.

Holst Birthplace Museum, Cheltenham
Tel: 01242 524846
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Regency house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets was born, showing the 'upstairs-downstairs' way of life of Victorian and Edwardian times. Open Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm. Closed Dec 2002 and Jan 2003.

See the house where Gustav Holst, composer of The Planets, was born.

Jenner Museum, Berkeley
Tel: 01453 810631
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Berkeley-born Dr Edward Jenner revolutionised medical science when he developed a vaccine for smallpox in 1796. Museum features displays and computer technology to illustrate the story, along with other fascinating revelations, such as Jenner’s other research into the cuckoo, bird migration, animal hibernation, dinosaurs and baboons. Open April-September, Tues-Sat and Bank Holiday Mons, 12.30pm-5.30pm, Sun 1pm-5.30pm.

John Moore Countryside Museum, Tewkesbury
Tel: 01684 297174
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Natural history collection displayed in a 15th century timber-framed house and commemorating the life and work work of local writer and naturalist John Moore. Open April-end October, Tues-Sat and Bank Holiday Mons, 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. Open most Saturdays in winter.

Keith Hardings' World of Mechanical Music, Northleach
Tel: 01451 860181
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Collection of antique clocks, musical boxes, self-playing pianos and organs. Open daily, 10am-6pm.

Living Memory Historical Association
Sheep Street, Cirencester
Tel: 01285 655650
Summer exhibition of Second World War memorabilia in the air raid shelter of the former Memorial Hospital. Open to the public free of charge every Saturday from May to October from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Special arrangements can be made at other times for schools and other interested groups.

Museum In The Park, Stroud
Tel: 01453 763394
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Family-friendly museum in the town's Stratford Park with displays about dinosaurs, a Roman temple, the world's first lawnmower (invented by a Gloucestershire man) and more. Open all year - April-September: Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat, Sun and Bank Holiday Mons 11am-5pm. October-March: Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat and Sun, 11am-4.30pm. Special opening times in December.

National Waterways Museum, Gloucester Docks
Tel: 01452 318200
Click here for map and website
Explore 200 years of inland waterways through working models, displays and historic craft moored at the museum quaysides. Open daily, 10am-5pm. Closed Christmas Day.

Nature In Art, Twigworth, near Gloucester
Tel: 01452 731422
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Museum dedicated to art inspired by nature. Outside sculptures, artists in residence and nature garden. Holiday children's activities. Open Tues-Sun and Bank Holiday Mons, 10am-5pm. Closed December 24-26.

Old Mill Museum, Lower Slaughter
Tel: 01451 820052
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19th century flour mill with huge water wheel on the banks of the River Eye.

Soldiers Of Gloucestershire, Gloucester Docks
Tel: 01452 522682
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The story of the county regiment, the Glorious Glosters, including their heroic stand in the Korean War. Open daily 10am-5pm. Closed winter Mons and Christmas.

Tetbury Police Museum, Tetbury
Tel 01666 504670
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Exhibition of Gloucestershire Constabulary artefacts housed in original cells of old police station. Open Mon-Fri 10am-3pm and by appointment.

Tewkesbury Museum
Tel 01684 292901
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Displays of historic Tewkesbury displayed in a fine 15th century timber-framed house, including Roman and medieval archaeological finds and a recreation of the Battle of Tewkesbury, one of the bloodiest battles of the Wars of the Roses. Open April-end October, Tues-Sat and Bank Holiday Mons, 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.

Toy and Collectors Museum, Stow-on-the-Wold
Tel: 01451 830159
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Open Wed-Mon 11am-1pm. Closed Tues, May and Christmas.

Wellington Aviation Museum and Art Gallery, Moreton-in-Marsh
Tel: 01608 650323
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Aviation and Second World War history and collection of wartime aircraft paintings. Open January-February, Sat and Sun, March-December, Tues-Sat, 10am-noon, 2pm-5pm.

Winchcombe Folk and Police Museum
Tel: 01242 602925
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Collection of artefacts showing history of Winchcombe from Neolithic times of Belas Knapp to the Second World War. Open April-end October, Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm.

Winchcombe Railway Museum and Garden
Tel: 01242 602257
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A hands-on museum of railway life. Pets corner and play area. Picnic area. Open Easter-end October, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays, 1.30pm-5.30pm, Wed-Fri, 1.30pm-5pm, August daily 1.30pm-5.30pm.

Wonders from the Earth, Painswick
Tel: 01452 812027
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An exhibition of rocks, fossils and dinosaur remains from around the world.

Wotton-under-Edge Heritage Centre
Tel: 01453 521541
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Artefacts and photographs, documents and family history resources from Wotton and district. Open Summer: Tues-Fri, 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm and occasional Sunday afternoons. Winter: Tues-Fri, 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm.

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