How do you keep warm in bed?

Photo credit: Wellcome Images

Well, obviously, there are any number of ways …  but using Warming Pans is one solution!

You can hear a local collector of  Warming Pans recount The History of Keeping Warm in Bed at the museum’s next Winter Talk.

And it’s a two-for-one bargain of a talk, because Reg King will also be exploring The Mystery of Rolling Pins.  He has collected over 500, many of them beautiful, historically interesting and made of a real range of materials (we’ve counted at least fifteen, from Bakelite to glass, from plastic to – well, come to the talk and find out …)

More details here.

The smell of the greasepaint…

Want to hear a behind-the-scenes insight into the history of the Bristol Old Vic company, its home at the Theatre Royal Bristol and its training arm, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School?

Behind the Scenes…

The museum isn’t open to the public in January – but behind the scenes it’s a hive of activity, as our volunteer workforce tackles jobs which can’t easily be done at other times of year.

Calling all 4 to 7 year olds…

Are you good at hunting for things?

Ask your Mum or Dad – or your granny or grandpa – to take you for a quick visit to the museum in Chapel Street.  (It’s next to the Armstrong Hall.)

There, you’ll be given a quiz sheet which asks you to hunt for golden Christmas bells – and to answer some simple questions about where you’ve found them.

Give the quiz sheet back to the friendly people on the front desk – if you’re lucky, there may be a treat as a reward.

It’s all FREE – the museum, the quiz, the hunt for the bells … just pop in and have a go!

Hurry though – the Christmas Quiz is only running until Thursday 22 December, which is our last open day before Christmas.

More information here.

50 Years Ago – Were You There?

Do you remember the opening of the First Severn Bridge in 1966?   Or the Aust Ferry which preceded it?  We’re having a small display to mark the anniversary.  Check it out  – and maybe contribute to it!

Historic pub crawl, anyone?

Fancy finding out about the history of Thornbury’s pubs, past and present, during a free evening stroll of the town centre?

And following it up with some free tea and cake?

Find out more.

What happened in the year 1252?

No idea what happened in 1252?   Clue: It was a significant date for local people….

Discover the town’s Tudor past

Join us for a stroll around Thornbury Castle’s grounds on Wed. 24 August and hear about the history of the site over the centuries.  You’re bound to discover something you didn’t know!

Have you heard about….?

Fancy an evening stroll hearing juicy titbits about Thornbury’s past?

Join our summer evening walk round the town on Wed. 20 July and find out more!

A textile snapshot of Thornbury in 1900

Buy your tickets for a wonderful talk, where you’ll hear the story of the discovery and creation of the Thornbury Quilt.