Children can visit Shrewsbury Museum for free

From August 26 to September 1, any child under the age of 17 will be able to explore the history of Shrewsbury and Shropshire, as well as the current special exhibition, Antarctica: Life in hostile land for free.

During their visit, children will be able to see some of the best preserved mammoth bones in the UK, take part in the Maximo Mouse museum trail, have a go at the interactive exhibits in the Medieval Gallery, dress up and take part in hands-on craft activities.

The Friends of Shrewsbury Museum are providing extra funding for these activities which will help children to get the most from their museum experience.

Entry for children usually costs £2 but this will be paid by The Friends of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery for the duration of the week. The Friends hope that young people and their families will discover the wealth of activities on offer at their local museum and have a great day out.

Children under the age of 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult when visiting the Museum.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “We’re all very excited to be able to offer children free entry to Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery for the week and we’re particularly grateful to the Friends for supporting us in this endeavour, among many others.

“A lot of work has been put into making Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery a child friendly place to visit so we’re looking forward to welcoming as many children and families as possible.”

Over the years the Friends have provided support worth over £100,000, mainly through helping with the funding of new acquisitions for the museum.

David Waterhouse, chairman of the Friends of Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, said: “We are delighted to be able to help to increase access to the museum over the holiday period for children and hope that this would lead to a continuing interest in the wide range of information and activities that Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has to offer.”

The Friends of Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery currently has around 300 members and, over the 30 years since its foundation, has provided continuous support, initially to Shrewsbury’s Borough Museums, but since the local government reorganisation in 2009, to Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.

Recently the Friends have been the principal sponsors of the very successful Margaret Rope exhibition ‘Heavenly Lights’ giving £5,000. With substantial help from a generous benefactor, a further £7,000, has been given to the costs of the current exhibition ‘Antarctica, Life in a Hostile Land’ which is on display at the museum until September 17.