The Foundling Museum

The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery. We aim to inspire everyone to make a positive contribution to society, by celebrating the power of individuals and the arts to change lives.

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth’s crewel work bed hangings are some of the most iconic and well-loved pieces held by Gawthorpe Textiles Collection.

Following an assessment in 2017, the bedspread was removed from display to undergo conservation. The work carried out has helped to stabilise the piece for the future by providing additional support for the linen fabric which had weakened over time. Additional work included cleaning areas of discolouration and securing loose stitching.

These highly decorative pieces were made to adorn a Jacobean bed, given to Rachel as a 21^st birthday present.

The full set consists of bed hangings, bedspread, window curtains, chair seat covers and a fire screen. The pieces are worked in wool on a cotton, linen weave. The design is based on Jacobean crewel work, influenced by Indian imported fabrics featuring exotic plants and flowers, with the addition of native English insects and animals.

Rachel began her designs in 1908 and the set took a total of 5 years to complete. Work was interrupted by the First World War, however at the end of the war on 11 November 1918, the date and a palm tree symbolising victory were added to the bed pelmet. This was particularly poignant as Rachel lost her two brothers to the war. The pelmet has also been returned to the bed for the 2018 season to mark the 100^thanniversary of the end of the war.

Scottish Football Museum

The Scottish Football Museum exists to promote the unique football heritage of Scotland, to build and maintain a national football collection, and to educate and inspire future generations.

As one of Glasgow’s Leading Attractions, The Hampden Experience is an ideal day out for families, avid football fans and novices eager to gain knowledge of Scottish football. The museum is home to the world’s most impressive national collection of football related objects, memorabilia and ephemera.

Mintlaw Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre was opened as the central stores and workshops complex for Aberdeenshire Museums Service in 2005. The building acts as the Service’s HQ and is the base for many of the Service’s education activities. Most of the Service’s fine art collection is housed here and visitors can take part in tours of the building to see the reserve collections.

National Waterfront Museum / Amgueddfa Genedlaethol y Glannau

The National Waterfront Museum in Swansea tells the human story of Welsh industry and innovation now, and over the past 300 years. 

Ready to explore via cutting-edge, interactive technology, the Museum puts you in charge of the experience, allowing you to delve as deeply into the displays as you want. 

Prepare to explore 100 audio visual exhibits including 36 state of the art interactive displays and some very large historic objects from across the country including a replica of the world’s first steam locomotive, a brick press and one of the very few surviving coal wagons.

Imaginative events and exhibitions take place all year, just visit www.museumwales.ac.uk/swansea for more details. 

You can also enjoy freshly prepared sandwiches, soups and cakes at the cafe, or just relax with a speciality coffee.

So visit us and lose yourself in the enthralling history of Welsh industry and innovation, where the technology of today puts the past at your fingertips.

Royal College of Physicians of London Museum

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre

THE BATTLE OF BOSWORTH 1485: A REBEL ARMY WINS THE DAY.

On the 22^nd August 1485 Henry Tudor brought a small rebel army to face the much larger Royal army of King Richard lll.

Writers of the time mention a marsh between the two armies. The Stanleys, whose loyalty to either side was as yet unknown, were positioned between the two armies, but to one side; probably to the South.

John de Vere, The Earl of Oxford was Henry’s military commander and he led the main army around the marsh and attacked King Richard’s right flank, commanded by the Duke of Norfolk. One writer describes heavy gunfire from the King’s artillery forcing this manoeuvre by Oxford’s men.

Eventually, the Earl of Oxford defeated Norfolk’s army using a wedge formation attack and the Duke himself was killed, close to a windmill.

Meanwhile, the Yorkist Earl of Northumberland, standing with a sizeable army supporting Richard’s left flank, did not move, possibly because of the marsh in front of him and the Stanleys on his flank.

With the battle not going his way, Richard saw Henry Tudor with only a small force of soldiers on the field. He rallied his mounted knights and led a mounted charge across the battlefield trying to kill Henry. At this point Sir William Stanley attacked, on Henry’s side.

Richard was surrounded by his enemies, and lost his horse in the marsh. However, he fought on, vowing to win or die as the King of England.

King Richard was cut down “in the thickest press of his foes”. Even his enemies describe him as dying like a valiant prince.

His crown was picked up and given to the Stanleys who unofficially crowned Henry Tudor as King Henry VII of England at Stoke Golding straight after the battle.

Richard’s body was stripped of his armour and slung over a horse to be unceremoniously taken to Leicester for public display, to prove that he was dead, and later burial.

Richard was the last Plantagenet King of England and Henry was the first of the powerful Tudor Dynasty, which changed the face of England for ever.

Despite the national importance of this Battle, its exact location was never written down. This has led to much debate as to where the Battle took place.

Court Barn Museum

This is a story of the Arts and Crafts movement and its legacy. Find out how a small town became a gathering place for designers and craftspeople of national and international reputation, including C.R. Ashbee, Gordon Russell, Hart Silversmiths and Robert Welch.

The Lightbox

Woking’s Story is a permanent museum at The Lightbox which explores the town’s fascinating history covering themes such as the ‘mad, the bad and the dead’. This family friendly space has something for everyone, from a fun children’s dressing up box to the moving stories of local people. 

The museum has eight main displays which are interactive and some have oral history listening points. You can discover people’s personal memories of life in the town and watch historic films. Have you ever wondered about what life in Woking used to be like? Or how the town came to be the way it is today? 

Seven Stories, The National Centre for Childrenʼs Books

Seven Stories is the first museum in the UK dedicated to the art of children’s books and the creativity they inspire. Step inside to discover a world of exhibitions, special events, dressing up and crafts, just off Newcastle’s bustling Quayside.