Museums Week fun this October half-term

Organised by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Museums Week celebrates the unique collections and activities in our local museums. Admission or activities are free for local residents with a Discovery Card*.

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Museums Week is a vibrant celebration of our local museums, with a huge range of activities and events on offer. From solving the Medusa Mystery at The Roman Baths to creating shoe box gardens at Beckford’s Tower, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and it’s a great time to get out and discover these brilliant places in the local area. Visit the Museums Week website to discover these and more exciting experiences.”

Museums Week highlights include:

• Take on the challenge to ‘Solve the Medusa Mystery’ at The Roman Baths, meet the Romans, and make your own Medusa headdress to take home. And don’t miss a live carving of Medusa’s face in a pumpkin, in Parade Gardens on Monday 28 October.
• Get crafty using washi tape and colouring to make an abstract art piece as part of The Big Draw with craft activities at Victoria Art Gallery and see the new Bath Society of Artists exhibition.
• Enjoy free admission for families at the Holburne Museum and enjoy a ‘Fantastical Story’ gallery trail inspired by Paula Rego’s work, plus a wonderful range of creative activities.
• Head to the American Museum for free access to the garden for Discovery Card holders on Wednesday 30 October, plus American Halloween trails and family activities.
• Make a 200-year-old optical illusion, enter a Lego Dinosaur competition, and play with the Stone Age to Iron Age timeline at BRLSI’s Academy of Imagination.
• Light up your life with star and light inspired crafts at Bath Abbey (free crafts, included with paid admission), or make gothic stained-glass windows at the Museum of Bath Architecture.
• Spend some time in nature and create a shoe box garden inspired by the grounds at Beckford’s Tower on Wednesday 30 October.
• Sit back, relax, and enjoy an out-of-this-world adventure at the Stories in the Sky planetarium event by Herschel Museum of Astronomy at Bath Central Library on Thursday 31 October.
• Enjoy free admission to the National Trust’s Prior Park (Monday to Friday) and follow the autumn spider trail (£2.50) around the site to find out facts about our favourite eight-legged friends.
• Visit the historic Saltford Brass Mill and see the unique furnace and eighteen-foot working cast iron water wheel on Saturday 26 October.
• Head to Bath Assembly Rooms for spooky crafts including pumpkin and turnip origami, ghost ornaments, and a 3D haunted house.
• Discover some Bath heritage with a chance to visit the Mayor’s Parlour or sample the famous Bath Bunns at Sally Lunn’s historic eating house. 
• Make a fun family portrait or a mini matchbox keepsake at No. 1 Royal Crescent (free crafts, included with paid admission).
• Discover centuries-old shadow puppets and show off your puppet storytelling skills at the Museum of East Asian Art. After seeing how the expert artisans made them, you can have a go at creating your own shadow puppet too.

There’s plenty on offer for adults too, including discovering the history of The Hetling Spa, drop-in activities at the Museum of Bath at Work, and a chance to visit Bath Jewish Burial Ground for a tour.

For full event listings please visit www.bathmuseumsweek.co.uk.

* Free admission with a Discovery Card may be limited to certain activities or times – please check the Museums Week website for details. Advance booking is essential at some venues.