Information for Families
Information for visiting Families.
If you're visiting as a family head for reception to chat to our volunteer so you can make the most of your visit. You can also collect backpacks and Museum trails here.
Activity backpack information and contents
Child-friendly eating
Families are very welcome in the Heritage Coffee Shop. Highchairs are available on request for children who require them, freshly made kids lunch boxes are available every day.
Families may bring their own food to eat and can picnic at various places around the site. There are waste and recycling bins for you to dispose of your unwanted food and packaging.
Prams & buggies
The Museum is accessible for visitors bringing prams and buggies. Please keep them with you, unless you are using the buggy park located under the stairs up to gallery 5. (please note this area is not monitored and prams & buggies are left at your own risk)
Baby changing
Baby changing facilities can be found in the coffee shop toilets and the ladies’ toilet in the museum grounds.
Baby feeding
Parents are welcome to breastfeed or bottle-feed anywhere on the Museum's grounds. Should parents wish for more privacy, please speak to museum staff who will be able to direct you to a quiet space.
Galleries
In the Galleries families with children of all ages can enjoy a range of free activities including a handling and microscope area, Gallery activity boxes and woodcut rubbings.
During school holidays, we run a range of activities that families with children of all ages can enjoy together.
The Craft Hut
The craft hut is open at weekends and every day during school holidays. It’s a great space to sit down and relax whilst creating something on the craft table, colouring or sharing a book. Many of the holiday activities are based in the craft hut.
Gruffalo Trail
Our woodland trail is based on the much loved children's book, The Gruffalo.
Wander with the famous mouse through a series of carved montages depicting the story of the Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson
Woodland Playground
Have fun and be active in our woodland playground at the end of the Gruffalo Trail. Complete with a swing, monkey bars, climbing areas and slide our playground is great for letting off some steam and learning new skills. A new addition to our playground is the sensory garden which is a lovely area to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Gift Shop
A visit to the gift shop is a must on any day out so you will be pleased to know our shop is packed with gifts, cards, books and lots of souvenirs for our younger visitors including cuddly toys of local wildlife, kid’s jewellery, children’s books, toys, and of course lots of Gruffalo-themed gifts too! Most of the items in our Shop are made and crafted by local people and businesses and/or made sustainably.