Don't shush the children
Forget their stuffy tradition, museums and galleries are brilliant places for family friendly days out. They are often free and they usually have a programme of special events and activities aimed at families. And they really, really want children and young people to come through their doors.
• Don't try to do too much: Identify what you want to see or do, see it and leave!
• Incorporate a picnic or stop for a pizza and with younger children throw in a train or bus ride and you have had a grand adventure.
Leaving aside the big National Museums in London, I would recommend the following local(ish) museums and galleries:
De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
www.dlwp.com
Housed in a fabulous 1930s building, the De La Warr Pavilion stages contemporary art exhibitions and has a fantastic performance programme. Whilst the exhibitions are not often specifically aimed at children, they are always welcomed and what makes this gallery really stand out is that it is right on the sea front. My gallery-phobic husband and two toddler sons have spent many a happy hour on the beach whilst I have had my culture fix before we have reunited over a tasty (if expensive) sandwich on the café balcony overlooking the sea, followed by a promenade along the beach front finished off with an ice cream stop. Check their website (details above) for details of their exhibition, performance and event programme.
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
www.brighton.virtualmuseum.info
Another seaside venue, this museum houses a wide range of fascinating collections from 20c furniture design to fashion and local history galleries telling the history of Brighton from bathing belle to party town. With interactive and multimedia displays the Museum caters for visitors of all ages; it is particularly relevant and appealing to older children and teenagers. Across the gardens is the extraordinary Brighton Pavilion, King George the Thirds ‘Grand Design'. Again, check their website for up to date details on exhibitions and events.
The OBSERVATORY Science Centre, Herstmonceux
www.the-observatory.org
Housed in the buildings of the old Royal Observatory, the centre has 3 working telescopes that can be visited on regular open evenings and special events. Open daily (weekends only in December & January) is the discovery centre where everyone can experience and enjoy science through hands-on exhibits, activities and science shows which bring the words ‘fun' and ‘science' together.
Weald and Downland Open Air Museum. Chichester
www.wealddown.co.uk
Set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside are 50 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens, together with farm animals, woodland walks and a picturesque lake. There is an ongoing programme of special events and many of the buildings are brought to life by demonstrators illustrating skills from carpentry to cookery. Looking forward to Christmas week you can experience the traditions of Christmas past and discover how our ancestors enjoyed the Festive Season with the buildings dressed in period decoration and brought to life with festive fare, music and stories.
Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery
www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org
Don't forget this museum and gallery on our doorstep which houses eclectic collections from dolls houses, toys and games to natural history. It has regularly changing exhibitions and a special events programme of free or low cost activities aimed at families.
Article written for Winter 2009 issue by Thomasina Wragge
