Is Winchester’s City Museum your favourite family friendly museum?
The City Museum is making a bid to win the prestigious Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award 2012 and needs your votes. The museum in the heart of the city, next to the cathedral, tells the story of Winchester; how the Romans, Saxons, medieval bishops and Victorian worthies all had a hand in shaping the place in which we live.
Over the years the museum has worked hard to make itself family friendly, from the first welcoming greeting by staff to the final wave as visitors depart. Lots of fun things to do have been introduced; such as make your own mosaic, be an archaeologist and sort pottery and do a rubbing of a medieval coin; and where else can you dress up as a Saxon peasant, a Roman soldier or an Edwardian lady? A special family guide is available that will take you on a tour of the galleries led by ‘Gunni’, a resident of the city in the time of King Canute.
In the words of one recent visitor,
We had a brilliant time at Winchester Museum today with our 4 yr old. He was well into everything and we didn’t have to worry about shushing him all the time."
The Museum Staff are familiar to many of Winchester’s present-day residents, setting up stall in many a local fete and fair, and also through the workshops and events organised by the museum. These have ranged from ‘Toga Tots’ and ‘Little Explorers’ sessions for mums with younger children to ‘gigs’ in the museum’s galleries at night for young people and students.
Cllr. Patricia Stallard, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport for Winchester City Council said
If you are a fan of the City Museum and would like to show your support for their bid then spread the word or blog and tweet saying why it’s the most family friendly and deserves to win. You can nominate the museum yourself at award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk”
For ‘What’s On’ in the museum follow the link www.winchester.gov.uk/museums or visit our Facebook page ‘Winchester Museums’ to view images of recent events.
Admission is free.