A centenary to celebrate & other things!
The school holidays are in full swing and there is loads to do says Melanie Cook of www.VisitNorwich.co.uk
This month offers us fantastic free events, outdoor cinema, the discovery of wildlife, and a host of on-the-water pursuits. There’s something for everyone this August.
Strangers’ Hall in Norwich (one of my most favourite museums) is celebrating its centenary. And with the celebrations comes new window displays, free entry dates – courtesy of Norwich Freemen’s Charity, and new displays.
So let’s start with free entry. If you’re in Norwich between 23rd and 25th August (10 am – 4pm) and Sunday 27th August (1 – 4.30pm) then I urge you to include Strangers’ Hall as part of your day. I’ll add at this point that if the weather is beautiful, then take a picnic to enjoy the Knot garden – you really shouldn’t miss the opportunity as the garden is such a hidden gem.
If you’ve not been to Strangers’ Hall, this museum is a tardis. From the curb it looks deceivingly small, but once you’ve walked through their large Tudor door you are in for a big and wonderful surprise. Over split levels, each room is decorated from a different era. And because of the centenary there will be more than ever to see this summer.
The new window displays are designed by artist Hannah Broadway and showcase some of the people associated with the museum’s history, key objects and photos of displays from the early days of the museum. The building itself is one of Norwich’s most historic, dating from the 14th century. Though it’s believed to have been the location of a structure since the 13th century, with the undercroft dating from the 1320s when there was a house owned by Ralph de Middelton. The building has been home to many of Norwich’s leading residents, with additions to it in the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th century, the reason most certainly for its unusual footprint.
In the 1890’s, having for generations been home to mayor’s and wealthy businessmen, Strangers’ Hall stood derelict. And it was only because local solicitor Leonard Bolingbroke purchased the building that it was saved from demolition. Bolingbroke was an antiques collector and filled his home with beautiful things. In May 1900 he decided to open his home to the public as a folk museum which was one of the first of its kind in Britain. This led to him generously presenting the museum and its contents to the City of Norwich in 1922.
New displays will also be on show in this celebration year. This will be made up of interpretation panels in the period room settings using images of archive photos and documents from the early days of the museum with stories matched to each room.
In the parlour there’ll be a refurbished display case juxtaposing collections from 1922 with those especially chosen by local young people to reflect home life in 2023.
Elsewhere in the museum, recent stunning new acquisitions to the museum’s collection can be seen for the first-time including Mr & Mrs Taylor’s Dolls House, a Victorian Bazaar Doll and peg dolls in National costume, made by local English Plus group members.
Why not tag on a visit to one or more of the stages for Norwich Summer Sessions (Sunday 27th August, commences 12.40pm) ahead of your museum visit and with that, you have a pretty good day out – and all for free. Now in its 10th year, Norwich Summer Sessions brings Norwich to life with fantastic live music and street entertainment. Extend the invite to the whole family – this is a great multi-generational reason to get together.
It seems the natural world is key to enjoying the summer this year with both Chantry Place and Castle Quarter sending us off on free trails. At Chantry Place there’s a Summer Safari Trail (until 3 September). Follow the trail, and on completion claim your goody bag which includes a complimentary child’s ticket to Banham Zoo or Africa Alive Reserve with a full paying adult. And on Wednesday’s enjoy a full programme of arts and crafts activities as part of Wild Wednesdays (booking details on visitnorwich.co.uk).
Welcome to the Jungle (until 1 September) at Castle Quarter is another free, fun activity. Animals have taken shelter inside Castle Quarter, and they need some help in finding them! As well as being in with a chance to win a £50 voucher to spend at Castle Quarter there are lots of photo opportunities once you have found the animals.
Over at Roarr! Dinosaur Park, don’t miss their annual Dino’s In the Dark event (5 Aug, 6pm – 10pm, tickets from £9.95). As well as their usual offer including the Predator High Ropes there will be creepy crawlies, stalls, and lots of good food and drink. It will be a night with a difference and something to remember for a long time.
Pensthorpe brings us slightly less exotic animals than Dinosaurs and animals found on a safari, however they are no less interesting. And it’s still at night. This year they offered four dates for badger watching. Unfortunately, as I write this they are sold out, however I wanted to mention so you can look out for next year. Keep an eye on their website. Pensthorpe does however have tickets to their Creatures of the Night events on 18 August (8pm–11pm) and 15 September (6:.45pm–9.45pm). On these evenings you head out with a bat detector looking for ten species. But there are others to spot too like owls, deer and hares as well as fish such as pike and minnow.
Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden in the Broads is a favourite of mine. And over the years they have added to their list of events and activities. Take a look at their website for wonderful for things such as Wildlife Canoe Trails (adults £25, children £15). New for this year is their Family Canoe Trail where you are taken out by Chris your instructor for 2 hours. The canoe fits 2 adults and 3 children and costs £70 which also includes garden entry. There are also Group Paddle Boarding sessions (4 people £100, 6 people £125). This is a one-hour introduction to Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and huge fun! SUP is now one of the most popular activities on the water in Norfolk. You can also join their wild swimming group with the purchase of a garden membership.
And keeping in the Broads. There’s a big party happening at BeWILDerwood for BeWILDermuddle! Taking place until 5 September, head to the storytelling stage to find out what’s going on. Though on good authority I believe it has something to do with the ‘Grubbles’ making their annual visit!
More this month:
1. Outdoor Cinema at Plantation Garden in Norwich. On 25, 26, 27 August (The Little Mermaid, Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws) plus September dates too! plantationgarden.co.uk
2. Everything Cakes and Craft Fair at The Forum sounds like an event for anyone with a sweet tooth! Taking place 6 August, 10am–4pm.
3. Wine Tour and Tasting at the beautiful Chet Valley Vineyard takes place Wednesday’s and Saturday’s. Tickets cost £30 per person 11am and 3pm. Bookings at chetvineyard.co.uk
Full details of everything mentioned here and loads more ideas can be found at www.visitnorwich.co.uk
