The supernatural casts a spell on Birmingham Museums for half term
Monday 26 October – Sunday 1 November
From enchanted fairy-worlds to terrifying tours of the city’s most haunted houses, visitors to Birmingham Museums will be spookily spellbound as fairies, witches, ghosts and beasties come out to play this half-term and Halloween.
“Whether you’re seeking thrills or magical enchantment, this year’s half-term events promise to cast Birmingham Museums in a very otherworldly light,” says Andy Fowles, Learning and Access Manager. “With the nights drawing in, it’s a great time for families to get together to celebrate the imagination, so we’re making sure there’s an exhilarating experience for everyone – there are events deemed too scary for children at Aston Hall, but also creature crafts for toddlers at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.”
Fearless families seeking fiendish fun can explore the infamous spooky cellars of Soho House, meet the Witchfinder General at Blakesley Hall, or follow the scarecrow trails and pumpkin flotilla at Sarehole Mill. There are even tours by twilight and torchlight for those who aren’t afraid of the dark. Mad scientists can make their own slime, or be electrified by the Science of Fright live show at Thinktank. There’s also the chance to bring nightmare monsters to life with haunting hands-on activities at Soho House and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
“It’s not just about spooky thrills, though” adds Andy Fowles. “We’ve created a magical fairy glen at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, inspired by the Enchanted Dreams of artist Edward Robert Hughes – a special exhibition opening this October, where you can step into fantastical dream-worlds. This half-term, children can recreate their own fantasy worlds with arts and crafts, and explore the mythical wonders of the night sky in a pop-up planetarium, just for half-term.”
On 22 October, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will also be launching its first-ever Mini Museum, an immersive, animal-themed gallery uniquely designed for younger children and their parents. With a puppet theatre, play zones and storytelling spaces, toddlers can meet animal exhibits from the natural history collection, and make their own works of art alongside some of the museum’s grand paintings.
Please note that admission or event charges may apply. For more information on these, or any of the events taking place across Birmingham Museums, please visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk.
Ends
Photographs are available by following the links at the bottom of this email, or from http://news.cision.com/birmingham-museums.
For further media information or photographs, please contact:
Jay Commins
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 0121 285 9899
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk
Notes to Editors
OCTOBER HALF TERM AND HALLOWEEN AT BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS
Daily
17 Oct 2015 – 21 Feb 2016
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Enchanted Dreams
Visit the magical fairy glen filled with stories and crafts, in this spectacular exhibition featuring the fantastical dream-worlds of artist Edward Robert Hughes. The exhibition is Free to children under 16s, £7 adults, and £6 concessions. The Fairy Glen and the half-term Pop-up Planetarium are Free to all exhibition ticket-holders.
Week-long activities
Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Join us during the week for arts and crafts, storytelling, giant Big Draw activities, and the chance to handle real artefacts.
FREE ENTRY
Some activities may charge.
Mon 26 – Fri 30 Oct
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
‘Make Your Own Slime’ workshop, ‘Science of Fright’ live science show, spooky arts and crafts.
Activities free for Thinktank ticket holders.
For full listings visit birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on
Tue 27 – Sat 31 Oct
Soho House
Hubble Bubble Trick or Treat
Do you dare to explore the spooky cellars at Soho?
11am–3pm. £6 Adult, £5 Concession, Child (under 16) FREE
Tue 27 – Fri 30 Oct
Blakesley Hall
Haunted House!
The year is 1645 and the Witchfinder General has arrived in search of witches. Find out about this scary episode and see the Hall decorated for Halloween.
11am–3pm. £3 Adult, Child (under 16) FREE
Tue 27 – Sat 31 Oct
Aston Hall
Aston Hall’oween
Spot jack-o-lanterns and hear haunted tales about the Hall on a family friendly tour.
11am–3pm. £6 Adult, £5 Concession, Child (under 16) FREE
Tue 27 & Fri 30 Oct
Soho House
Halloween Crafts
Make spooky castles or jumping spiders.
12–2pm. £2 per child
Tue 27 Oct – Sun 1 Nov
Sarehole Mill
Halloween at the Mill
Follow the scarecrow trail and try your hand at the lucky dip.
12–4pm. £6 Adult, £5 Concession, Child (under 16) FREE
Family fun
Tues 27 and Thu 29 Oct
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Pop-up Planetarium
11am – 4pm. £1 per child (Free to all Enchanted Dreams exhibition ticket holders)
Wed 28 Oct
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Fabulous Beasts Crafts
Make your own creature out of clay, in this designer-led workshop.
1–3pm. £3 per child
Pre-booking required – call 0121 348 8140
Thu 29 Oct
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Spooky Masks Crafts
Make a Halloween mask in this designer-led workshop.
1–3pm. £3 per child
Pre-booking required – call 0121 348 8140
Fri 30 Oct
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Halloween Ghost Walk
2–4pm. £5 per person
Pre-booking required – call 0121 348 8140
Fri 30 Oct
Weoley Castle Ruins
Spooky Halloween Crafts
12–3pm. £1 per child
Sat 31 Oct
Soho House
Torchlight Tours
12.15pm & 2.15pm. £6 Adult, £5 Concession,
Child (under 16) FREE
Twilight visits
Thu 29 & Fri 30 Oct
Sarehole Mill
Pumpkin Flotilla
Bring along your carved pumpkin and watch it float across the mill pond at twilight. Plus, spooky
stories and a hot beverage.
6.45pm. £15 per float (up to 4 people).
Pre-booking required – call 0121 348 8263
Too scary for children
Fri 30 & Sat 31 Oct
Aston Hall
Haunted House on the Hill
An immersive ghost tour with spirits, shocks and plenty of scares.
5pm, 6.30pm & 8pm. £9 Adult, £8 Concession, ages 12+
Pre-booking required – call 0121 348 8263
