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Summer 2007
By 24 Hour Museum Staff
Image: photo of four people dressed 1940s style holding Union Jack flags in front of castle ruins
A Wartime Spectacular at Scarborough Castle © English Heritage
The sky is blue, then it's black, then it starts raining and before you know it it's hot again; one thing's for sure this summer the weather has required both shorts and cagoules. But whatever the weather decides to do, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the UK’s fantastic heritage.
Here’s the 24 Hour Museum’s guide to museum, gallery and heritage culture on offer during the summer holidays, grouped into categories with helpful links to venues where you can find out more.
Explore The Past With A Re-enactment
Image: a photograph of three people reaching into a trench with trowels
Time Team certainly turned a lot of people on to archaeology, but you don’t have to wait for Tony Robinson and the crew to turn up in your neighbourhood to get a piece of unearthing action. Digs are always going on all over the country, and there are often days when the public can come and have a go, too.
The first port of call should be the Council for British Archaeology’s comprehensive listings to find out what’s on near you. The CBA site has a full listing of archaeological societies around the country - many of whom offer an increasing variety of opportunities to participate in fieldwork.
Another good place to find a dig is on the website www.ilovethepast.com, which features details of dig opportuniites ranging from megalithic tombs to maritime archaeological sites throughout the UK.
The Young Archaeologists Club (YAC) is also a goldmine for excavating activities.
You can download a booklet crammed full of holiday activities for budding young archaeologists - for example at Brancaster Staithe, in Norfolk there's the chance to take part in a real archaeological excavation with the experts at Sedgeford Anglo-Saxon site from Tuesday August 14 - Friday August 17.
Maybe you’ve found an old piece of pottery or an ancient coin by yourself – how do you find out whether it really is from the Iron Age or if it’s a rare Tudor artefact? Museums often have ‘finds days’ when you can turn up with your object and have it examined by an expert, who will also record it on a national database.
To see the database of finds that ordinary people have uncovered, get on to Pastexplorers or the Portable Antiquities Scheme website, www.finds.org.uk.
Finally, why not take part in an archaeological walk? In Yorkshire, the York Archaeological Trust has a series of summer battlefield walks giving you the chance to discover more about the battles of the past and how they affected the course of history.
Image: an aerial photograph of a large castle
Some are but ruins, others are so intact that people still live in them. Some have even been dismantled and the stones used to build new houses (eg Scotney Castle, Kent)!
Whatever your favourite kind of castle – one with ducks swimming in a moat, one with a thousand steps to climb up a Norman tower, or one with a grisly history, they make for a great day out.
The 24 Hour Museum castles trail has plenty of photos of and information about Britain's castles and forts, great and small, to whet your appetite. Or you could follow the trail of King Arthur from Tintagel to Pendragon Castle, to explore all of our castles that have at some time been touched by the myth of Arthur.
Some of Britain’s most famous castles are explored in our Britain's Finest Castles Trail, which was developed for a History Channel prgramme and if you still don't find what your looking for, you can search the 24 Hour Museum database (input 'castle') to turn up your nearest castle, or events at castles.
Speaking of which, Scarborough Castle has major events going on every weekend in the summer: still to come is the Roman Festival on August 18-19 and a Robin Hood weekend on September 1-2 2007.
Meanwhile, Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight is holding its Grand Medieval Joust on Saturday August 25 to Monday August 27 (Bank Holiday). The weekend features fearless knights colliding at speeds of up to 60mph and displays of skill at arms as knights on horseback practise for the joust by spearing cabbages and the straw man. There will even be an appearance by Peterkin the fool who will be running a jester workshop. Booking recommended - call 0870 333 1183.
Many castles in England are looked after by English Heritage, and the National Trust has quite a few, too. Both websites have excellent search facilities.
Image: a photograph of a steam railway
Dad will be up for this one… There are miles and miles of railway in this country which no Intercity express ever shoots along. Instead, these old lines are kept alive with trains from the early days of rail travel, the ones that run on coal and steam and still have slam doors.
You can travel back to this golden age at Porthmadog’s Ffestiniog Railway in Wales, where trains run daily through the gorgeous scenery of Snowdonia National Park. The preserved North Yorkshire Moors Railway also passes through some stunning landscapes, while Leighton Buzzard Railway was built in 1919 for industrial use, and now carries passengers.
The Stockton & Darlington Railway was the world's first steam-worked public railway, built in 1825, and you can ride on a piece of this history at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, Durham, on August 3-5, 12, 19 and 25-27, 2007.
It was here that George Stephenson and Timothy Hackworth launched the first passenger steam train. Now the site is packed with child-friendly interactives.
With the author of the Thomas the Tank Engine books, Rev Wilbert Awdry, having a number of Gloucestershire connections and taking retirement in Stroud, there is every reason to celebrate the much-loved children’s character at The Dean Forest Railway.
They will be holding another of thier popular 'Day out with Thomas' events from August 30 to September 2. Favourite characters will be brought to life, with Thomas, Diesel, Toad and Daisy making an appearance. As always the Fat Controller will be keeping everyone in order.
Get to Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire, on August 18 and 19 2007 for the chance to drive a Great Western Railway steam engine, or travel on Brunel’s original broad gauge track in an 1840s train over the bank holiday (August 25-27). Learn about the man behind the Great Western Railway in our IK Brunel trail.
You may also wish to look at the UK Heritage Railways Association website, which includes a comprehensive map listing of the many heritage railways open to the public in the UK.
Image: a photograph of a garden with red flowers in the foreground
There’s nothing like an English country garden – the scent of roses, tall hollyhocks before a thatched cottage, a soft, lush lawn and a pond full of tadpoles... Fortunately, you can find these idylls in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, too.
For example, Powis Castle’s garden in Wales features in the 24 Hour Museum trail Britain’s Finest Gardens (disclaimer: this was tied into a television series which picked the ‘finest’ – there are lots of other very fine gardens!) The breathtaking grounds of Powis Castle are probably the closest you’ll get to an Italian Renaissance terraced garden in the UK.
The tranquil sound of a waterfall features in Geilston Garden, Dumbarton, Scotland, which has packed herbaceous borders in a walled garden as well as woodland paths. The National Trust for Scotland looks after Geilston – search its website for some more excellent places to visit in the country.
The National Trust maintains myriad gardens where you can retreat from the hustle and bustle. At Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, County Down, visitors can unwind in the informal planting from around the world, or wander through a wildflower meadow.
For a botanically educational experience, take children to Kew near Richmond, the Botanic Garden of Wales or Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden.
The Horniman Museum in South London is hosting a display of beautiful sculptures from the Zimbabwean Mystery in Stone collective in its garden until September 2 2007. Check the museum’s listings for lots of family friendly evening events in the grounds, too.
Keats House, also in the capital, is inviting youngsters to be Garden Explorers throughout the holidays, with a special adventure pack available Tuesday to Sunday, 1-5pm. And there's a reward for children who complete the Smugglers Search at Alfriston Clergy House in Sussex (throughout the holidays).
If your children enjoy building dens in the garden then take them along to Ickworth House for some den building on Tuesday August 21. They can even hone their survival skills and have a go at building a shelter from natural materials found within the park. £2.50 per child.
Ickworth is also the venue for a Festival of Medieval Mayhem on August 23 (all day), a Journey to the Secret Garden on August 28 (2pm - children £2.50, accompanying adults free) and a Garden Discovery Walk on Thursday August 30 at 2pm.
Image: a photograph of a bus and a tram on a cobbled street
Going to a museum doesn’t have to mean leaving the sunshine at the gate – there’s a wealth of open air museums in the UK where you can enjoy heritage with the breeze in your hair.
At Blists Hill Victorian Town near Telford, Shropshire, you can promenade through streets recreated as they would have been 150 years ago, chat to the costumed locals and buy some sweets from an old-fashioned sweetshop. Don’t forget to get hold of some Victorian money in the bank first. In summer, visitors can ride on a horse-drawn cart through the fairground and see the iron foundry in action.
Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum (between Newcastle and Durham), also takes visitors back to the 1800s and early 20th century. Explore the 1825 manor or go to the dentist in the 1913 town! For a vintage experience, take a restored tram ride between the different parts of the site, and check event listings on the 24 Hour Museum for everything going on at Beamish this summer, from quilting to clog dancing.
Both the Chiltern Open Air Museum and the Sussex Weald and Downland Open Air Museum have lots of rescued historical buildings – houses from centuries gone by that have been brought to the museums and preserved. Here, you can learn about building techniques of the past, enjoy their beautiful country settings, get involved in craft activities or immerse yourself in one of the special themed weekends.
It’s your chance to learn about the home front at the Chiltern Museum and over the 1940s weekend on August 19-20.
Amberley Working Museum will be holding its Teddy Bears' Picnic on Bank Holiday Monday August 27. A fun event for the very young and their families, the day will see a whole host of teddy related activities on site. There is also free entry for every child who brings a bear along on the day - what more could be asked for?
Image: a photograph of men dressed in medieval period clothes with shields and helmets
EXPLORE THE PAST WITH A RE-ENACTMENT
Men in tights, women in wimples, soldiers with muskets and knights in armour - summer sees historical locations really liven up with these sorts of characters let loose.
Parliamentary forces intent on destruction will enter the Oxburgh Estate, Norfolk, on August 4 and 5 as an English Civil War re-enactment takes place. Visitors to Defend the Hall are warned to watch out for loud canon and musket fire!
Torquay Museum has invited the Legio Secvnda Avgvsta to stay on September 1 and 2. As well as meeting some Roman legionaires, Roman civilians will be on hand to share their ideas about cooking, medicine, cosmetics and even midwifery! Mosaic workshops are on from 2-3.30pm August 2-30.
A World War II weekend at Old Sarum on Saturday 25 - Monday 27 August (Bank Holiday weekend) offers the chance to re-live the days of the Second World War with army demonstrations, living history displays, games, activities, music and theatre.
The festivities culminate in a fantastic aerial display as the great planes of World War II take to the skies on Bank Holiday Monday. Booking recommended - call 0870 3331183.
Knights in full armour are battling it out every day in August at the Tower of London – they think its 1467 and the houses of York and Lancaster are at war.
There’s sure to be some dressing up going on in your locality – check the 24 Hour Museum listings.
Image: a photograph of men dressed as Roman soldiers
After arriving in AD43, the Romans changed the face of Britain with their straight roads and sophisticated sanitation. When trouble brewed back in mainland Europe, the Roman army cleared out, but you can still see a lot of things they left behind such as grand mosaics and temples.
Despite their smart technology, some Brits (then divided into tribes) weren’t keen on the Romans. Boudicca was one – read our Battlefield Britain trail to discover the sites of clashes between her army and the Romans almost 2,000 years ago.
Alternatively, hear about it from the horse’s mouth at Colchester Castle where the Iceni queen will be available from August 13-17.
Mediterranean types found it a bit chilly in Britain, but that didn’t stop them settling up north – find out where in the Northernmost Frontier of the Roman Empire trail.
Speaking of which, Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery are going all Roman throughout the summer, with Roman soldiers, musicians and even a Roman Murder Mystery to complement the Return of the Romans exhibition (until September 2).
The most complete amphitheatre in Britain is to be found at Caerleon in Wales, where the National Roman Legion Museum is located within the walls of a Roman fortress. Romans will be in residence there July 30 - August 27.
The remains of numerous Roman villas are dotted around, mainly in the South, as well as some reconstructed ones.
The Roman Baths at Bath offer a stunning dip into Roman culture. Discovered in the late 19th century, they were lovingly transformed into a grand visitor experience by the Victorians, who added neo-classical statuary and an ornate entrance hall. Romans held the site of the natural spring in high reverence, too, and the temple and bath complex attracted visitors from all over Europe.
Image: a photograph of a hill fort
Time Team archaeologist Dr Francis Pryor reckons that interesting things were happening in Britain a long time before the Romans set foot on our island – read his views on ancient Britain and find out where you can see the legacy of Bronze Age people in Britain in the Britain BC Trail.
Pick a dry day and get healthy while you take in some history by taking a walk out to ancient sites like chalk hill figures.
While the most recent one depicted Homer Simpson (the paint has washed off now), the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire is reputed to be one of the oldest, and lies near an Iron Age camp on the prehistoric Ridgeway route.
Find details of Stonehenge’s sister site, Avebury Stone Circle, Maes Howe Chambered Cairn, Orkney, and impressive hillfort Maiden Castle, Dorset, in Britain’s Finest Ancient Monuments.
With the unpredictable weather, it might be best for youngsters to discover the prehistoric landscape from indoors - make a collage of it at the Oxfordshire Museum on August 14 (2-4pm) and build mini Stonehenges at the Greenwich Heritage Centre on August 2 (10.30am-12pm).
On August 3, Wiltshire Museum is opening a special exhibition on fossils aimed at children, with lots of specimens to handle. You can even bring in your own and get help identifying it from the Wiltshire Geology Group. Workshops for under and over-8s will take place every Tuesday in the holidays.
Image: photo of some people dressed as pirates in stripy tops
WEIRD, WONDERFUL WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES
A lot of museums don’t fall into conventional categories, and you can find some events at museums, heritage sites and stately homes that are on the unusual side…
Between Saturday August 18 and Saturday September 8, Manx National Heritage is inviting children to take part in a creative writing competition to name the Balladoole Viking at the Manx Museum and write a short story about his life.
The competition will be judged by Manx National Heritage and winners will receive a behind the scenes tour of the museum's new Viking gallery along with their family, together with £25 worth of gift vouchers. Prizes will be awarded to the winning entries in three age categories - age 5 to 8 years, age 8 to 11 years and age 12 to 15 years.
Entry forms to the competition can be collected at the Manx Museum Reception, at any Story of Mann attraction or downloaded from www.storyofmann.com.
Meanwhile, Melford Hall, Suffolk, is looking for folks to spy on the house for the King of Spain. Throughout August, the house is taking visitors back to 1786, just after Captain Hyde Parker captured a Spanish galleon crammed full of treasure.
The King of Spain wants it back, and has heard that Melford Hall might offer some clues – sneak around the corridors, library and bedrroms on the look out for china and jewels and see what you can tell him. Trail costs £1.50 and runs Weds-Sun, 1.30pm-5pm.
Brave families will want to go on the ghost tour at Brighton’s Preston Manor (August 25, 2-3pm and 3.30-4.30pm).
Down in Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall will be giving out expert tips during crab catching sessions throughout the summer. Buckets, bait and lines can be hired for 50p every day in the holidays.
Staying on a nautical theme visitors to Brunel’s ss Great Britain in Bristol have the chance to get creative by making and decorating sea chests for Sinbad the Ship’s Cat, on August 20, 21, 23, and 24. Drop in sessions will run from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.30pm, and are included in admission.
Children will also be able to explore the identities of the ss Great Britain’s Victorian passengers, and recreate the contents of their sea chests – from items of clothing and travel documents to 19th century toys. As an extra bonus families will be able to take their works of art home with them.
Other events on the ship this summer include an actor in character as Mr Isambard Kingdom Brunel (August 17 to 19, 21 to 27 and 29 to 31).
Who knows what activities you’ll find going on at your local museum, heritage site, stately home or castle? Why not search the 24 Hour Museum for something near you?
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