Windsor & Royal Borough Museum Enters New Era After Arts Council Announcement

The Windsor & Royal Borough Museum has been awarded £65,895 from Arts Council England’s Museum Renewal Fund to support its “Celebrating Our Royal History” project — a major investment that will safeguard and revitalise one of the borough’s prized cultural assets.

This success follows a period of uncertainty that came to light in 2023, when the Liberal Democrats took control of the council and uncovered the full impact of Conservative funding cuts. The previous administration had removed all council funding for the museum without a plan to keep it running, leaving its future in doubt.

To stabilise the museum and prepare for future success, the new administration made difficult but responsible decisions, including:

• Reducing opening hours to ensure sustainability
• Redirecting staff so the team could focus on redesigning services and securing funding for the future

Expert guidance was sought from the Hampshire Cultural Trust to explore how to maximize the use of the Guildhall and enhance the museum’s offerings. At the same time, the Friends of the Museum went above and beyond, volunteering extra hours to help keep the museum open.

The new grant will fund:

• Refreshed exhibitions celebrating Windsor’s royal connections
• Expanded education and community programmes
• Improved accessibility and visitor experience
• Long-term resilience through partnership work and new income streams

The project will also capture visitors’ growing interest in Windsor’s royal story — from its centuries of royal history to moments such as the 2005 wedding of the King and Queen held at the Guildhall itself.

“This is what fixing the mess looks like — turning crisis into opportunity,” said Cllr Amy Tisi, Cabinet Member for Windsor.
“The previous administration walked away from its responsibilities, but our team rolled up its sleeves. With the dedication of museum staff, volunteers, and partners, we’re building something stronger and more sustainable.”

She added: “It’s frustrating to see some figures now claiming credit for ‘saving’ the museum — when in reality, it was their own party’s funding cuts that put it at risk in the first place. The Liberal Democrat administration made sure closure was never on the table, and this grant is the proof that our long-term plan is working.”

This grant marks a new beginning for the Windsor & Royal Borough Museum — proof that with determination, collaboration, and a long-term plan, local heritage can thrive again under Liberal Democrat leadership.

🌐 Read the RBWM Press Release:Windsor museum secures £65K grant to celebrate royal history | Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead