Panacea Museum

The basics

Once the headquarters of a religious community that followed the teachings of mysterious 18th-century prophetess Joanna Southcott, today the Panacea Museum focuses on founder Mabel Barltrop, and the community’s belief system. It’s spread across two separate historic homes (Castleside and Haven). Highlights include a small chapel with a stained-glass window over the altar, a clock tower, and a wireless room, where members would listen to the radio in the evening. All this is surrounded by tranquil lawned gardens.

Things to know before you go

• The main Castleside building of the museum complex is an interesting stop for history and architecture buffs, with its intact Victorian design and interiors.

• The museum is free to visit and offers walking trails, coloring worksheets, and wooden toys for kids, so it’s a very family-friendly attraction.

• There’s a tea room in the Haven building that serves snacks and beverages, plus a cloakroom and gift shop at the reception desk.

• Castleside and the Haven Tea Room are fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers; access is limited in the gardens and the other buildings.

How to get there

The Panacea Museum is located in the historic center of Bedford, just north of London. You can reach the town and museum by train in about 40 minutes from the capital city; the museum is a 20-minute walk from the station. You can also reach the museum by bus or car from London in about two hours.

When to get there

The museum is open from Thursday through Sunday and often holds temporary exhibitions and special events on the grounds; check the Panacea Museum website for details. The garden is a highlight of the complex, so be sure to visit on a clear day when you can explore its walking paths and flower beds.

The House Museums of Bedfordshire

The Panacea Museum offers a glimpse of domestic life in the early 20th century, but history buffs can travel farther back in time at similar house museums in Bedfordshire. Wardown House in Luton is a perfectly-preserved Victorian family home, while Elstow’s timber-framed Moot Hall houses a time capsule of 17th-century England inside. You can even visit the medieval ruins of Someries Castle, the atmospheric shell of a fortified manor dating from the 1400s that is said to be haunted by the ghost of its former owner.