Source: City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth Museums has a range of activities on offer this February half term.
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery
At Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, in Museum Road, there will be arts and crafts from 17 until 21 February. Two of the days will be inspired by Ancient Sudan, following the recent opening of the British Museum Spotlight Loan: Ancient Sudan enduring heritage, while the remaining three days will look at trees and The Quietness of Feeling exhibition which focusses on the work of landscape artist Benjamin Haughton and The Arborealists. The activities are £2.50 or £1 with a Leisure Card. There will also be a fun trail around the museum, just ask at the front desk – £2 or 50p with a Leisure Card.
To end the week on 23 February, Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery will be hosting a talk from 2-4pm on ‘The Arborealists’ by its founder Tim Craven, whose work is featured in ‘The Quietness of Feeling’ exhibition. It’s free, just drop in, maximum capacity of 40 attendees.
Portsmouth Natural History Museum
There’s lots going on at Portsmouth Natural History Museum, Cumberland House, in Eastern Parade, all made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the museum has been able to fund the exhibition ‘Guermonprez’s Legacy – the Gilbert White of Bognor’, as well as an event programme through 2025.
On 18 February, from 10am until 12pm you can learn more about minibeasts, their habitats, and their crucial role in our ecosystem at this free event. After a minibeast hunt adventure in the garden, build your own mini bug home or minibeast habitat to take away with you or put up near the museum’s minibeast hotel to encourage wildlife to the garden.
Mineral Day will take place on 19 February from 10am until 3.30pm. You can meet mineralogists from Southampton Mineral and Fossil Society. The mineralogists will bring along a display of their own objects, as well as showing some of the minerals that they have been working on in the museum store. Bring along your own minerals for identification and get hands on with some themed activities at this free event.
Charles Dickens’ Birthplace
Charles Dickens’ Birthplace in Old Commercial Road will be open from 10am until 4.30pm (last entry 4pm) on 18, 20, and 22 February. Discover the place where arguably the greatest novelist of the Victorian era lived, walk in the room he was born in and explore his prized possessions.
The D-Day Story
At The D-Day Story, alongside the family audio guide and trails, there will be reenactors at the museum from 18 until 20 February. The popular Airfix Extravaganza returns on 21 February, to make and take home your own genuine Airfix model (cost is museum admission price plus £2 per model). No need to book, just get in early to avoid disappointment.
Portsmouth City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said:
“There’s so much happening across our fantastic museums this half term, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”