Summer Family Fun at Somerset Museums

Staycation families will find plenty to enjoy this summer at the Museum of Somerset in Taunton and Somerset Rural Life Museum in Glastonbury.

At the Museum of Somerset visitors can discover an inspirational array of cartoons and art by the Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown. See the original covers for some of the Horrible Histories and discover more of Martin’s work from his beginnings as a humorous graphic artist and fan of cartoons. The Horrible Histories books, written by Terry Deary, were launched in 1993 and are now world bestsellers. They have inspired TV series, stage shows, exhibitions and even a feature film. The series re-launched in 2021 with new titles including a history of flight called ‘Up in the Air’.

Martin said: “The most important thing about drawing is enjoying it – having fun. And one of the best ways to have fun drawing is by doodling cartoons. Cartoons don’t have to look ‘right’, in fact they are supposed to look silly. I should know, I’ve been drawing sillily for years. And now I get to open a brilliant exhibition of all that silliness at the Museum of Somerset. I hope lots of you will come and visit – and hopefully be inspired to pick up a pencil and draw too. Because you never know where your doodles could take you!”

Image: Martin Brown. Credit Richard Tomlinson.

Alongside the exhibition there are special events and workshops starting with an opportunity to meet and draw with Martin Brown on 24 July. Every Wednesday, during the summer holidays, there will be a chance to meet re-enactors from different eras of history. There is also a series of creative workshops, led by well-known children’s authors and illustrators including Steve Anthony (Mr Panda series) and Kristina Stephenson (Sir Charlie Stinky Socks series.)

This summer Somerset Rural Life Museum teams up with the Royal Bath and West of England Society to open a ‘living exhibition’. There will be a vibrant programme of family events and activities that capture the spirt of the Royal Bath and West Show. The Museum will come alive with craft demonstrations, ‘create and make’ activities and visiting animals. Special events include a craft fair, visiting shire horses, birds of prey and donkeys, and demonstrations in pottery, pole lathing and felt making. In the Museum’s Mapstone Gallery visitors can enjoy specially-commissioned contemporary film and photography.

Chairman of the Royal Bath & West of England Society, Robert Drewett, said:  “The Bath and West has been at heart of rural life in Somerset for almost 250 years, and although our role has changed and developed over the years, it is still a vitally important one as a showcase for farming and rural life in the region.  So, we are delighted to be part of this exhibition, which will bring to life our past role and present activities in a way that everyone can really enjoy.”

To find out more, including the latest information about opening hours and admission, visit swheritage.org.uk