Hello Summer – Hello Museums

Milton Keynes Museum

With school out, finding ways to keep the little ‘uns entertained for six whole weeks can feel a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, Milton Keynes Museum is on hand to make things easy for you, and fun for them!

On July 15, the Museum will mark its 50-year anniversary with a special celebration party,
and then between July 24 and September 1 the Wolverton-based history hub will be offering additional activities to take attention.

All the usual attractions will be open as usual of course; start your visit with a look inside the Victorian farmhouse, play on music machines from the era, make hot buttered toast in the parlour, see what the role of a servant entailed and look back on more than a century of toys.

Then stroll through the Street of Shops with its many original facades from stores that once served residents of Stony Stratford, Newport Pagnell and Wolverton.

While there, pop into the Old Ridgemont Post Office for a quarter of your favourite sweets, and then learn more about how our ancestors used to farm the land.

The Museum has more than 150 phones and communication systems, from the earliest
examples to novelty phones and those early ‘brick’ mobiles, so get ready to dial away!

The old Wolverton to Stony Stratford tram is one of the many vehicles waiting for you to explore in the Hall of transport, where you’ll also find a historic fire engine, a Sinclair C5, and many other interesting examples.

Outside, the Museum’s five acres of grounds means plenty of space for kids to use up excess energy – and there’s a play area, plenty of picnic spaces and you’ll meet some famous residents; the original Concrete Cows moo-ved in a few years ago.

The Museum also has a shop and tasty snacks are available at the Granary Tea Room. Pay once and your ticket is valid for unlimited returns for 12 months!

For more event details and prices visit miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Northampton Museum

Pay a visit to Art Gallery 1 at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery between now and September 1 to view the exhibition, The BFG in Pictures.

Since The BFG was first published more than four decades ago it has remained in print, with the tale of orphan Sophie and her giant friend enchanting children and selling more than 50 million copies!

This is the first exhibition of work by Quentin Blake for Dahl’s enduring story, and shows iconic prints from the classic page-turner.

Over at The Temporary Exhibition Gallery, Brick wonders: Around the world in LEGO® bricks uses the Danish delights to recreate some amazing sights from around the world; starting with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Artist Warren Elsmore has curated the visual feast.

Starting on July 15, the two-month show Around the World in 80 Pictures will be in situ at Art Gallery 2. Visit the space and take a journey around the world in this exhibition, which includes works from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Take in Parisian street scenes, Swiss mountains, Jamaican harbours and so much more.
Abington Park Museum is offering you the chance to enjoy a seaside holiday at home with an art collection bringing windswept coasts and buckets and spades to you. All the enjoyment, but without the sand in your shoes!

For more details visit northamptonmuseums.com

Abington Park Museum

The popular Abington Park Museum is free to enter and tells the history and development of Abington. Take yourself through the rooms to discover how the area has grown from a medieval manor to an attractive leafy suburb of Northampton.

There are galleries, an educational room, the Great Hall and lots more to visit! It’s designed for all ages so the little ones will enjoy exploring.

Once you’ve visited the museum you can take a look at all the birds and make use of the incredible area that is Abington Park.

Find out more here.

The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne

Take a picturesque visit to the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne. Here you can follow the story of Britain’s canals – from the great engineers who created them to the boat families and lock keepers who lived and worked on them.

You’ll find models of working boats, traditional clothing, canal crafts, a boat-builder’s workshop, beautiful historical signs and much more.

You will also receive a warm welcome in the museums waterside cafe and gift shop. The museum cafe and gift shop is open 10am – 17.00pm seven days a week.