February Half-Term Fun in Hampshires Museums
February Half-Term Fun
in Hampshire’s Museums
Several museums across Hampshire are hosting fun family events over the February half-term. Details below, high res images for most can be sent on request; further information can be found on the individual museum websites or visit www.visitsoutheastengland.com/historyrevealed.
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
Bond in Motion Exhibition and Trail
During half-term week from 11th – 19th February, test your knowledge of the world’s most famous special agent, James Bond, in the Beaulieu National Motor Museum’s brand new exhibition, Bond in Motion, which showcases 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films. The exhibition is the largest of its kind staged anywhere in the world and features some of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles from the films, including the Lotus Esprit S1, affectionately nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from The Spy Who Loved Me and the Rolls-Royce Phantom III used in Goldfinger. Follow the trail around the exhibition and exercise your code-cracking skills for an opportunity to win a Bond goody bag and have your picture taken in a genuine Bond vehicle. Beaulieu is open from 10am – 5pm every day; entrance is £19 adults, £17.50 seniors, £11.25 (13-17 years), £9.50 (5-12 years); family £49.75, under 5s free; for more information telephone 01590 612345 or visit www.beaulieu.co.uk.
Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
Have a Go with ‘Tudor’ Feather Quills and Ink
Try your hand at writing and drawing using feather quills and ink which were used in Tudor times when the Mary Rose sailed the high seas. The hands-on activity will take place at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard from Saturday, 11th to Sunday 19 February, 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm. Free with a valid ticket to the Dockyard; for more information visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk or call 023 9283 9766. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets, which include all attractions at the Historic Dockyard (terms & conditions apply) are £21.50 adults, £18.35 seniors and students, £15.80 children 5-15 years, £62.15 families; under 5s free.
Milestones Museum, Basingstoke Leisure Park
Victorian Week
Celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth at Milestones living history museum’s Victorian themed week between 11th and 19th February. Youngsters can dress up in period costume, take part in a Victorian school lesson and enter a colouring competition, while under 5s can enjoy the play Post Office. Activities are subject to availability on the day. Milestones is open from 11am – 4.45pm weekends and 10am – 4.45pm Monday – Friday during half term week. Admission is £7.90 adults, £6.90 concessions, £4.75 children (5-15 yrs), £22.75 family (2 adults + 2 children). For more information Tel: 01256 477766 or visit www.milestones-museum.com.
Red House Museum, Christchurch
Insight into Roman Britain and the Forgotten Emperor
Catch up on history with an insight into Roman Britain during the third century AD. The free entry Forgotten Roman Emperor exhibition at Red House Museum, Christchurch running until 14th April, tells the story of power, corruption and murder when Britain was raided by pirates. How Carausius became Emperor of Britain, his assassination and an epic battle in Hampshire are revealed through animated illustrations.
Choccy Love Box
To mark St Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, 14th February between 10.30am and 12.30pm you can join a workshop to make a box of chocolates as a gift for the one you love …. Or eat them all yourself! This session is for 7 years and upwards and is £5 per person. Please be aware of chocolate / nut food allergies.
Roman Pots and Lamps
On Saturday, 18th February between 10.30am – 12.30pm you can join a hands-on workshop with a master potter to create your own Roman pot or lamp to take home. £5 per person.
The Red House Museum and Gardens is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. For more information call 01202 482 860 or visit www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/redhouse.htm.
Winchester City Museum
Meet a Roman Soldier
Come and meet a Roman soldier from the Legio Secunda Augusta Roman legion and his lady at the Winchester City Museum between 17thand 18thFebruary. You will also be able to handle roman objects and discover more about life in Winchester during this fascinating era of our history. Admission is free into the city centre Museum, which is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; for more information call 01962 863 064 or visit www.winchester.gov.uk.
The Gallery at Winchester Discovery Centre
Matisse Drawing with Scissors Family Workshops
A free entry exhibition featuring 35 lithographic reproductions of the famous cut-outs by the French painter, sculptor and designer Henri Matisse (1869-1954) will be on display at The Gallery in the Winchester Discovery Centre 18th March.
During half-term there will be several family events linked to the Matisse exhibition. On 14th February from 10am to 1pm experienced artists from Think:Make:Do will guide youngsters through a world of shape and colour during a fun three hour session introducing paper collage and textile printing processes. Create Matisse inspired pictures and then watch them magically transfer onto fabric for a unique masterpiece to take home. Suitable for 4 – 7 year olds; £6 per child, adults free, all children must be accompanied by an adult.
On 17thFebruary families can join in decoupage activities to create a Matisse inspired table and drinks mat from cork and recycled materials. Workshops for children aged 4 – 7 years (with a free helper ticket) will be held from 9.30am until 12noon, while between 2pm – 4.30pm there will be a session for children aged 8 – 11 years (consent forms must be completed and given to the staff on arrival) £10 per child.
For further information about The Gallery visit www.hants.gov.uk/wdc-gallery. Matisse Drawing with Scissors, Late Works 1950-1954 is a Hayward Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England.