Record Breaking Exhibition Kicks Off A Summer Of Fun At Birmingham Museums

Summer fun at Birmingham Museums has begun as the Dippy on Tour exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) has welcomed its 100,000^th visitor!

With a host of events and activities across Birmingham Museums’ sites, it’s set to be an exciting summer holiday ahead.

The Natural History Museum’s famous Diplodocus skeleton cast continues his residency in Birmingham throughout the school holidays until 9^th September as part of Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure.

The exhibition, which has been open since 26^th May, has proven a hit with visitors across the region. The 100,000^th visitors were greeted with a Dippy goodie bag to mark the milestone, as BMAG celebrates Dippy on Tour as its most successful temporary exhibition.

Entry to see Dippy is free. Booking tickets online at birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on/dippy-on-tour-a-natural-history-adventure is recommended to guarantee entry, but walk up spaces will also be available. Visitors without pre-booked tickets are advised they may need to wait during busier times.

Throughout the summer there will also be fun Dippy related activities at the museum to enjoy. There’s the Dippy family room with the chance to dress up and play, the Dino Dig where children can have a go at being a palaeontologist, curator’s tours, crafts and trails. The Dino Children’s Menu in the Edwardian Tearooms is the perfect way to keep little ones fuelled throughout their visit.

Elsewhere at BMAG, the Inspire 2018 exhibition will be on display until 15^th September and showcases amazing artworks from this year’s youth art competition, submitted by children and young people aged 5-19 years old living in the West Midlands. This year’s theme was ‘We Heart Colour!’ and the bright and colourful display shows how finalists and winners were inspired by colour and what it means to them.

But the summer fun doesn’t end there! Get hands-on with science at Thinktank and go back in time and be wowed by an array of magnificent events at the Heritage Sites across the city.

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

Thinktank, Birmingham’s award-winning science museum, offers a mind-blowing day out for all the family. You can journey to the stars in the Planetarium, get hands-on with giant exhibits while enjoying the sunshine in the outdoor science garden and get creative in the LEGO studio workshop.

Travel back in time to Birmingham’s fascinating industrial past, interact with talking robots and explore amazing animals. There’s over 200 science and technology displays to explore.

To celebrate the Year of Engineering, Thinktank will be highlighting the world and wonder of engineering. Visitors will be able to try out designing and building for themselves and the new theatre show will amaze with a bridge building challenge, rocket demonstrations and the strongest sand castle you will ever see.

Heritage Sites

Aston Hall, a magnificent 17^th-century Jacobean mansion, offers a great day out with landscaped gardens to enjoy the sunshine and a whole lot of history inside the hall.

For children who are spellbound by stories, visit on Friday 3^rd August for an interactive story telling of Sleeping Beauty. Meanwhile on 10^th and 24^th August there’s a Cinderella story tour, and on 17^th August the story is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

There is a magical outdoor performance of The Wizard of Oz on 26^th August (5.30pm- 8.30pm) and lots of fun art activities and tours to celebrate Aston Hall’s Walls Have Ears exhibition throughout the summer.

At Blakesley Hall enjoy a fascinating audience with Henry VIII on Friday 27^th July. You’ll hear the King’s tales and discover how to meet and greet royalty. On Sunday 12^th August visit for the Blakesley Hall Knight School – learn sword-fighting and play a role in the Battle of Agincourt!

Feeling sporty? Why not take part in Soho House’s first ever sports day on Sunday 5^th August? Come and enjoy a range of sports and garden games at Soho House where there will be a host of prizes and awards.

On Bank Holiday Monday 27^th August Soho House will be hosting a fun-filled day celebrating all things Bollywood, with performances, Indian food stalls, crafts, face painting and much more!

At Sarehole Mill aspiring builders will enjoy the summer play day on Wednesday 1^st August, with a boat building workshop. And on Wednesday 15^th August visit the site for family baking sessions and enjoy a tasty baked treat.

Weoley Castle Ruins are all that remains of an exquisite medieval manor house built 750 years ago and provides the perfect backdrop to Medieval Day on Sunday 29^th July, where you can discover what life was like in medieval England. On Friday 10^th August come and help build a giant cardboard castle and let your imagination run wild.

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter offers a unique glimpse into Birmingham’s jewellery history and the family fun days are the ideal way to explore this remarkable museum. On Thursday 2^nd, 16^th, and 23^rd August join a family friendly afternoon guided tour of the Smith & Pepper jewellery factory and then enjoy a hands-on craft activity.

Plus there’s much more to discover at all of the museums and heritages sites for fun-packed days out.

To find out more visit birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on.