Rye Art Gallery

The Gallery is home to an inspiring display of regularly changing Contemporary art and craft for sale, a fine Permanent Collection of national and regional importance and a variety of supporting Events.

Make sure you are on the Gallery’s mailing list to receive invitations to Previews and Events (see Get in Touch page or box in grey column to left).

We are housed in two integrated heritage buildings and are an independent Trust dating from 1957.  The Gallery is a registered Charity, answerable to the Charities Commission.  

East Surrey Museum

The East Surrey Museum is a small but highly attractive museum dedicated to the preservation and display of artefacts and documents relating to the social history, archaeology and geology of East Surrey from the earliest times to the more recent past.

Conveniently located in the centre of Caterham, a minute’s walk from the station and bus routes, the museum is manned entirely by volunteers, many of whom have local knowledge, and is supported largely by donations and a utilities grant from Tandridge District Council.

There is a small shop where you can buy souvenirs and a wide range of Bourne Society and other books on local history.

You and your children will receive a warm welcome from our curator and our stewards, who will be happy to show you around, leave you to browse, or help with any particular enquiries you might have regarding local history.

Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum

Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson

Explore 19 acres of ramparts, outer fortifications, secret underground tunnels, and ammunition bunkers at this fully restored Victorian fort.

Fort Nelson sits on top of Portsdown Hill, near Fareham in Hampshire. It is 10 minutes drive from Fareham, and 17 miles east of Southampton.

Barley Hall

Barley Hall is a stunning medieval house, once home to the Priors of Nostell and a Lord Mayor of York.

Until the 1980s the building was hidden under the relatively modern facade of a derelict office block. Only when it was going to be destroyed was the amazing medieval structure discovered and its rich history uncovered.

The oldest parts of Barley Hall date from about 1360, when the Hall was built as the York townhouse of Nostell Priory, the monastery near Wakefield in West Yorkshire. A new wing was added to the building in about 1430. Soon after, the Hall became the home of a leading York citizen, William Snawsell, Goldsmith, Alderman and Lord Mayor of York.

Royal Armouries, Tower of London

Explore royal arms and armour in the iconic White Tower within the Tower of London.

For nearly 1,000 years this iconic Norman keep, built by William the Conquerer, has stood by the banks of the river Thames; a symbol of royal power, a royal residence, and home to their organisations of state.

Today the White Tower is a flagship museum showcasing the Royal Armouries’ glittering collection of arms, armour and historical artefacts.

Admission to the Royal Armouries in the White Tower is free, but a ticket must be purchased for entry to the Tower of London.

Guernsey Museum

The Early People of Guernsey displays recent discoveries and gives fresh insight into the story of Guernsey. The Collecting the World gallery displays some of the most exotic and beautiful objects from the Museum’s extensive reserve collections.

We believe that Guernsey Museum is a great introduction to a Museum: it is large enough to experience different galleries but small enough to ‘pop in’.  It also features:

• The Discovery Room, a dedicated hands-on learning space featuring the Cabinets of Curiosities, old-fashioned games, puzzles, hands-on activities and dressing up
• The Time Warp, an area next to the Discovery Room which is decorated as a certain period from history. The Time Warp changes every 12 months and has previously been Ebenezer Le Page’s sitting room and a 2nd class cabin from RMS Titanic.
• Trails, activity sheets and spot-it picture boards for all ages
• Café and toilets in the same building, with disabled toilet and baby change facilities
• Positioned in the beautiful Candie Gardens which includes a lawn area suitable for picnics and a pond (great for spotting fishes)

Touchstones Rochdale

A ‘hands on’ museum for all the family. Full of fun activities, fascinating facts and a chance to share some cherished memories! Come and discover the borough of Rochdale’s unique past and, perhaps, help shape its future

Uncover the story of a landscape shaped by glaciers, rivers, the weather, and above all, by people. From Stone Age settlers clearing the forests to sprawling mill-towns, with their roads, canals and railways.

Experience the everyday lives of those who made this area their home. From birth to death. At work, at play, at home. In peacetime and at war.

Meet the people who found fame. Learn more about our historic buildings and events. Hear the myths and legends the town has inspired.

Brantwood

A historic house, museum and vibrant centre for the arts, Ruskin’s former home has a wealth of things to see and do for the whole family. Brantwood offers a fascinating insight into the world of John Ruskin and the last 28 years of his life spent in the Lakes.

Filled with many fine paintings, beautiful furniture and Ruskin’s personal treasures, the house retains the character of its famous resident. Our visitors are free to explore the rooms and house stewards are on hand to answer questions. There are a range of quizzes and activities for children to enjoy.

Izaak Waltonʼs Cottage

Izaak Walton, the celebrated author of the ‘Compleat Angler’, owned this charming cottage that nestles in the tiny hamlet of Shallowford, between Stafford and Eccleshall. His charming thatched 16th century half-timbered cottage will be of interest to anglers and non anglers alike. It offers a marvellous insight into the history of fishing and the literary talent of Stafford’s famous son.

Izaak left the cottage in his will to the people of his home town of Stafford, and now the museum pays homage to his illustrious life.  Inside we learn about Izaak Walton the Merchant, Churchman, biographer, writer, angler, and Royalist. We learn of his great contribution to the genre of biography and his influence as an early conservationist.

Within the cottage the period rooms are furnished to reflect the rural trappings of the 17th Century. There are also rooms dedicated to Izaak the writer and biographer and to the history and evolution of angling.

The ground floor shop has a range of gifts, souvenirs and local arts and crafts.  Nestled within the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, its tranquil environment is perfect for a calm and relaxing afternoon.  Why not enjoy afternoon tea or an ice cream in the knot garden or let the children run off their energy in the paddock field.

There is an events programme in the summer months and school and group tours programme on request.