St Barbe Museum, Lymington
|
|
Written by Joanne Robinson
|
 Joanne Robinson heads to Lymington for a perfect spring day with the kids.I have a confession. The first time I took my toddlers into a museum it
was under duress and with utter dread. Child One (age 2) was gripped
firmly by the hand, Child Two (age 1) was strapped into the buggy.My bag contained emergency supplies (chocolate buttons, packet of crayons and scraps of paper).
We went not to have fun, but because I had to visit the museum as part of my MA Museum Studies and I only had childcare to cover lectures - all the visits I took to museums would have to be as ‘mum’, not student. My expression of fear softened immediately. We were welcome! There were things to do! We left an hour and a half later with the children happily clutching their scribbled activities and pleased as punch with the free sticker. I felt one of those rare, guilt-free moments that we’d had a great morning together, without me rushing off to empty the washing machine or answer the phone. I’d discovered somewhere new – we’d found museums. I’ve now had so many great trips to local museums with the kids that I’m passionate about introducing other parents to the joys (yes, honestly) of museum visiting with toddlers.
In Hampshire, there’s so much choice, but as spring approaches, I thought we should head for the coast. Lymington is a town nestling by the sea on the edge of the New Forest. Its local museum, the St Barbe (right in the centre of town) has been short-listed in the excellent ‘Guardian Kids in Museums’ campaign, and it is one of the most family friendly museums I’ve ever visited. Pushchairs are a doddle here. There’s a ramp into the entrance and the whole museum is on one floor, so if you have a ‘sleeping-baby-active-toddler’ combo, you’ll be fine. The reception is staffed by friendly and enthusiastic volunteers who will make you feel very welcome.
 You enter the permanent gallery through a timeline where everything is displayed at toddler height. My three-year-old’s attention was immediately drawn to a pink My Little Pony. We then happily chatted about the other toys and looked at the old coins and objects until we entered the display on ‘Field and Forest’, which has a lovely farm for children to play with. Every display has a children’s activity within it. They can play while you read the information and then you can talk about stories and objects together.
The ‘Shops and Traders’ area has an old grocer’s scales to weigh your little ones and the ‘At Home’ area has lots of objects which are familiar to toddlers, yet different enough to spark questions and discussion. The area is set out as a traditional farmhouse kitchen of the 1930s. I thought it would make a nostalgic visit with grandmas: they would be able to show their grandchildren things which were familiar to them as very young children. There are child-height drawers everywhere. The top two are filled with objects behind glass and the bottom drawer has those your child can touch as well as clothes to dress up in.
There is so much for toddlers to do in this museum. They can frisk a smuggler, design their own New Forest Railway, use shells to decorate a sandcastle and even have a go steering a boat (this one is probably more for the dads). My three-year-old loved catching fish with the magnetic fishing rods. She was captivated for ages and completely elated once she eventually hooked one.
Two of the galleries in the museum are home to shifting exhibitions. This spring (3 March to 21 April) you will find a family-oriented exhibition in the art gallery. ‘Figures of Fun’ has life size papier-mâché and animal sculptures created by well known regional artists. The exhibition will have plenty of children’s activities and the museum will be running family art workshops that complement the exhibition.
The St Barbe Museum is a great way to spend an enjoyable morning or afternoon with young children. If I lived near to Lymington, I’d get a season ticket and take the kids once a week. I do believe that you can keep going back to a local museum without worrying that under-5s will be bored because they’ve done it before. I’ve found my children actually like knowing where things are; it gives them a sense of confidence in their surroundings. When they visit our local museum they know exactly where they want to go and what they want to do. The changing exhibitions and family events at this museum ensure that there is always something new.
The St Barbe Museum has a relaxed atmosphere. During the two hours we spent in there I never had to say ‘Shhh!’ or ‘Don’t touch!’ Your children will be able to play and learn and as all the activities are integrated you can enjoy the exhibits together. My only problem was extracting my three-year-old – she kept racing back to the sandcastle to re-arrange her shell pattern and had to eventually be forcibly removed when I was ready for a coffee.
For a great spring day out, combine some fun in the museum with a walk or drive through the forest and a picnic by the sea.
The St Barbe Museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm. The Museum is open throughout the Easter period. There are baby changing facilities.
Admission costs are: Adults £4, Concessions £2 Children age 4 and under are free
The museum offers a good value Annual Pass which is £12 for adults and £9 concessions.
You can find out more at www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk or contact the museum on 01590 676969.
|
