Dorset’s Giant Inflatable Museum Comes to Blandford this Half Term
Dorset County Museum closed in October 2018 for a two-year multi-million pound redevelopment after hosting the Natural History Museum’s famous Dippy the Dinosaur.
Whilst it is being redeveloped, Dorset Museum has been sending out a huge inflatable museum to entertain families across the county, popping up in Dorchester, Portland, Weymouth and Stalbridge so far.
Families of Blandford are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the fun filled pop-up as it’s set to come to the Corn Exchange, Blandford on Saturday 15th February, 11am – 3pm.
Entry is free to everyone, and visitors will be able to learn about and handle real objects from the Museum’s extensive collection. Creating memorable and inspiring learning experiences based on the history of Dorset, families can enjoy dressing up, learning about the collection and taking part in craft activities.
Emma Talbot, Head of Learning at Dorset Museum said: “The team at Dorset Museum are really excited to take our amazing inflatable museum to Blandford. We have been overwhelmed by the number of visitors and families across Dorset who have engaged with the tour so far. It’s a great opportunity to explore our collection of Archaeology, Natural History, Social History and Fossils while the Museum is closed.”
This fantastic inflatable replica of Dorset Museum has been a huge success attracting hundreds of visitors. In collaboration with Artsreach, the inflatable is an initiative of the Museum and was created with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Manchester Museum. It aims to be an immersive learning environment designed to bring the wonder and curiosity of Dorset Museum and its fascinating collections to communities across Dorset while the Museum undergoes its multi-million-pound redevelopment.
Whilst the Inflatable Museum is visiting Blandford, you may want to pay a visit to Blandford Town Museum near the Corn Exchange, where Dorset Museum has four very special objects from its collection currently on loan. These include items from the Blandford-born artist and sculptor, Alfred Stevens’ collection including a fireplace surround made by Coalbrookdale Iron Company in Shropshire in 1860, and a framed photograph of a mirror designed and hand carved by the artist for Dorchester House. Also on loan, are a George II longcase clock made by John Spinney of Blandford and a George II wheel barometer made by John Bastard, an architect who with his brother William were instrumental in rebuilding much of the town after the devastating fire of 1731.
Natasha Mairs
This sounds great. I love visiting museums and it great that they are taking the inflatable museum around to different cities.
Sabina Green
This sounds like great fun! What a fab idea, great for the kids and a huge novelty factor that it is inflatable too.
caitylis
This looks like so much fun! Can definitely see why children love it! Caitylis x x
Lyndsey O'Halloran
I hadn’t heard of this before. It sounds quite different but glad it’s been popular!
Anne Sweet
What a fabulous idea, I bet the kids love it.
Jenni
I bet this will be a huge hit with the children, what a great idea. That’s an impressive amount to be spending on the redevelopment too
Samantha Donnelly
I have never heard of an inflatable museum before I bet this is going to be very popular with families x
Talya
Wow an inflatable museum – now there’s a first! What a fun thing to do over half term. m
Treasure Every Moment
What a clever idea! I’ve never heard of an inflatable museum before, but it looks like a lot of fun and the fact that it is free is amazing 🙂
susanna
That’s so cute – which it was coming to my town!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
What a great idea and we love how it brings history to life in a fun and engaging way for kids!
Rhian westbury
Sounds like a fun museum, not something I’ve heard of before. And it’s great that it’s free so you can take the kids along and not spend a fourtune x
Kira
This really does look like so much fun . The girls would absolutely love a trip here
Rebecca Smith
An inflatable museum sounds like such a lot of fun! I wish exciting things like this came near to us!
Joanna
This is pretty cool, I will definitely pop by and check it out as Blandford is just up the road. I do like Blandford, it’s such a lovely place to go for a day out.
Kacie Morgan
Ooh, an inflatable museum – now that sounds like a really fun concept! Bet that was an interesting day out 🙂
Elizabeth Williams
We enjoy visiting museums with the kids and this one looks brilliant. I can see why kids would find it fun being an inflatable museum. Great that Dorset museum are still entertaining and educating families whilst the museum is being redeveloped.
Kelly-Anne
Oh wow this looks like a great activity tomorrow in half term. My little lady loves museums
Samantha
Oh wow, this sounds like so much fun, and great for families looking for things to do this half-term.
Jess Howliston
Oh wow how cool is that! It sounds like a fantastic place to visit and my kids would love the fact they get to dress up! xx
michelle twin mum
This looks brilliant, I love the idea of a pop-up museum to cover whilst the other one is being refurbished. Great too, that it is free, Mich x
Playdays and Runways
I love visiting the Museums we have locally with the boys. An inflatable Museum sounds like a very unique experience.
Stephanie
This looks like a great event to attend and I love it when places make it exciting for kids to learn history. Their so much more likely to take it in
Laura Schwormstedt
Oh wow how cool is this, love the idea of an inflatable museum – wish they would do this in Cardiff
Laura x
Hannah
This looks very fun. My friends kids would love this
Devesh
Thanks for sharing a great post!
Fashion and Style Police
What a cool place to visit this half term. Looks interesting.