Learn about Victorians’ love for purple at Blists Hill
Go along to Blists Hill Victorian Town to enjoy their half term activities
Dress up in Victorian costume and take a selfie, print a poster and follow a town trail. These are all part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum’s ‘Create Colour’ activities that are taking place across The Gorge over the school holiday.
Meet the wardrobe team and find out how they make and look after all the wonderful Victorian costumes for the town’s residents. You can even try on some outfits and pose for your selfie in the Goods Shed.
Throughout the day, follow a purple themed family trail around the Town to discover more about where and how the Victorians used purple. Look for the Penny lilac stamp at the Post Office, find out which stone was set in a bracelet for an engagement gift to Queen Victoria and search for the Victorians’ favourite purple flowers. Make sure you have a go at printing a fashionable poster in the Goods Shed.
Purple was a rare and expensive dye until 1856 when chemist William Henry Perkin treated coal tar with alcohol and accidentally discovered an intense purple synthetic dye. Suddenly, purple became more affordable and highly fashionable, particularly after Queen Victoria and French Princess Eugenie were seen wearing spectacular purple evening gowns.
One of the 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Blists Hill Victorian Town is open from 10am until 4.30pm; entrance is £19.75 adults, £14 60-plus and £12 children 5-16, under 5s free.
A great value Annual Passport Ticket, allowing multiple visits into all 10 museums, costs £26.50 per adult, £20.50 for seniors, £16.50 for children (16 years or under), £70 for a family of two adults and all their children and £50 for a family with one adult; under 5s free (terms and conditions apply); Passports can also be bought online in advance saving 5% and individual entry tickets are available at each museum.
Activities will vary from day to day and some additional costs will apply. For further information, call the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on 01952 433424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk. The Gorge is easily reached via the M54 motorway exiting at Telford junction 4 or 6.
This event takes place from May 26 to June 3.
