Forthcoming Events at
Portsmouth Museums and Records Service

August

Monday 2 - Friday 27 August (weekdays only)

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy. Monday to Friday only. Please contact the D-Day Museum before your visit (tel. 023 9282 7261) to ensure that the veterans are able to come to the museum on that particular day.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Tuesdays 3, 10 and 17 August

The Learning Place, 6 Derby Road, North End, Portsmouth PO2 8HR

Out of this world! Costume making workshops. Drop in and make your own alien-inspired costume. Workshops are free and for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, phone the Arts Service on 023 9283 4183, or email arts@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Free admission
10.00am - 12.00pm
Wednesday 25 August: Wear your costume at the Alien Invasion Exhibition at the City Museum, 12.00pm - 2.00pm.

Tuesday 3 August - Thursday 26 August (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only)

City Museum and Records

Out to Lunch
Join us for a series of fabulous free family events. From children's entertainers to craft and birds of prey there is always plenty to do. All events are from 12.00pm to 2.00pm. There are no age limits and we suggest that for craft activities if your child is under five you come along and then decide whether it suitable for them.

Why not look round the museum before or after the event?

Tuesday 3 August
Nolan Davies - Children’s entertainer

Wednesday 4 August
Make a spaceship - Craft activity

Thursday 5 August
Crazy M the Clown

Tuesday 10 August
The Amazing Mr Tall - Magic show
Plus - a special treat for all budding archaeologists! Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology’s maritime bus will be visiting us. It has interactive displays, models, games, hands-on activities and even a digital microscope - all related to the Trust's work in underwater archaeology. There will also be a display of maritime objects from our collections, and a demonstration of steam-driven "putt putt" boats in the garden.
Maritime Bus on site 11.00am - 3.00pm, free admission.

Wednesday 11 August
Model moon and planets - Craft activity

Thursday 12 August
Make an alien mask - Craft activity

Tuesday 17 August
Punch and Judy - Traditional puppet shows

Wednesday 18 August
Make a robot - Craft activity

Thursday 19 August
Xtreme Falconry - Meet the birds of prey

Tuesday 24 August
Circus Skills - Tightrope skills and more

Wednesday 25 August
Meet the Aliens - Craft activity plus face painter. Come in fancy dress as a Sci-Fi character and you could win a prize. To make your costume, you might want to attend our event at The Learning Place on Tuesdays 3, 10 and 17 August (see above).

Thursday 26 August
Miller’s Ark Farm - Meet the farm animals and pets

End of "Out to Lunch" programme at the City Museum (3 - 26 August)

Thursday 19 August

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture by Eileen Norris, local historian.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 21 August

City Museum and Records

Special weekend Searchroom opening.
Are you busy Monday to Friday, but would like to visit the Records Office to consult archive material, to research local or family history for example? The Searchroom will be open today (also Saturday 22 May and Saturday 27 November). No booking required.
Free admission
10.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 August

Southsea Castle

Family fun weekend with special events, including craft activities, storytelling from the Yarnsmith of Norwich (Saturday), and children's entertainment and magic from The Balloon Man (Sunday). Also fun activities from Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology (Saturday) and the Mary Rose Trust.
Free admission
Castle open 10.00am - 5.30pm
Events 10.30am - 4.30pm

Tuesday 24 - Thursday 26 August

City Museum and Records

Part of our "Out to Lunch" events. Join us for a series of fabulous free family events, 12.00pm - 2.00pm. See listing above for more details.

Saturday 28 August and Sunday 29 August

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

A chance to find out more about the Portsmouth Reptile and Amphibian Society and about how to care for more exotic pets. See displays and live specimens.
Free admission
10.00am - 5.00pm

September

Thursday 2 September

Aspex art gallery, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

"The Lost World" (1925 silent film). A screening of the first dinosaur blockbuster! Based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novel.
Free admission
6.00pm - 9.00pm

Sunday 5 September

Charles Dickens Birthplace

A selection of readings from the works of Charles Dickens. On the first Sunday of each month (April to September), come and hear readings by members of the Dickens Fellowship.
Usual admission charges apply
Museum open 10.00am - 5.30pm, readings take place at 11.00am and 3.00pm, each lasting around 45 minutes.

Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 September

Museums Service Stores

Heritage Open Days - Guided tours
Get an overview of the Portsmouth Museum and Records Service collection as a whole including fascinating items of local history and Art and a special opportunity to see some of the highlights.
Guided tours last approximately 45 minutes. Please note there is no lift to the upper floor. Please be aware it is a working store with controlled temperatures and you must therefore come in appropriate shoes and attire. 
Tours start at 10.00am, 11.30am and 1.30pm
Places are very limited and must be booked in advance to ensure your place. Please ring (023)92827261 to book and for further details of location.
Free

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September

Round Tower

Heritage Open Days
Opportunity to see inside the historic Round Tower and found out more about the history of the fortifications.
Open 11.00am to 4.00pm
Round Tower, Broad Street, Old Portsmouth.
Free admission.

Thursday 16 September

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture on ‘The History of Dolls and Porcelain Doll ' by Mary Tunnell - Collector.

Saturday 18 September

Aspex art gallery, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

Meet the Doyle Collection at Aspex
An opportunity to hear a short talk about the Arthur Conan Doyle Richard Lancelyn Green Bequest followed by opportunity to see a selection of intriguing items.
Free admission
2.00pm - 4.00pm

Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 September

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

October

Thursday 21 October

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture. Speaker to be confirmed.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Monday 25, Tuesday 26, Wednesday 27 October

City Museum and Records

Earth, Moon and Space
Get to see real moon rock and meteorites.
Free family activities.
11.00am, 12.00pm and 2.00pm

Monday 25 - Friday 29 October

D-Day Museum

A chance to meet members of the Portsmouth branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, and chat about their experiences on D-Day and during the 1944 Battle of Normandy.
Usual admission charges apply
11.00am - 3.30pm

Thursday 28 October

Charles Dickens Birthplace

It is two hundred years since the birth of Frances Dickens (Charles' much loved elder sister). To mark this occasion the Charles Dickens Birthplace is to have free admission for the day and mini talks on the hour during the day from 11.00am.

Friday 29 October

Cumberland House Natural History Museum

Big Draw - Alien Species
Discover the link between ‘aliens’ and natural history.
Free family activities
11.00am -1.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm

Saturday 30 - Sunday 31 October

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

Sunday 31 October

Charles Dickens Birthplace

Special Halloween opening, with readings from some of Charles Dickens' ghostly stories! Readings by members of the Dickens Fellowship, on the hour (11.00am to 5.00pm).
Usual admission charges apply
10.00am - 6.00pm

November

Sunday 14 November

D-Day Museum

Free admission to the museum to mark Remembrance Sunday.
Free admission.
10.00am - 5.00pm

Thursday 18 November

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture entitled ‘Fares Please! The History of Portsmouth City Transport’ by Eric Watts - Local Historian
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

Saturday 27 November

City Museum and Records

Special weekend Searchroom opening.
Are you busy Monday to Friday, but would like to visit the Records Office to consult archive material, to research local or family history for example? The Searchroom will be open today (also Saturday 22 May and Saturday 21 August). No booking required.
Free admission
10.00am - 5.00pm

Saturday 27 - Sunday 28 November

Eastney Beam Engine House

See the impressive Victorian Beam Engine House, which contains a pair of classic Boulton Watt beam engines and pumps restored to their original 1887 condition. One of the engines will be steamed, if operating conditions permit. Situated in Henderson Road, Eastney.
Free admission
1.00pm - 5.00pm

December

Monday 6 - Friday 10 December

Charles Dickens Birthplace

Special Christmas opening.
Usual admission charges apply
10.00am - 5.00pm

Thursday 16 December

D-Day Museum

A Portsmouth Museums & Records Society lecture. Speaker to be confirmed.
£1 for members of the Society, guests £2
7.30pm

www.culture24.org.uk

Check the Culture 24 website for the Latest news, exhibition reviews, links, listings and education resources from thousands of UK museums, galleries, archives and libraries, all in one place.

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Details are correct at time of upload. Every effort will be made to keep this site up-to-date but Portsmouth City Council reserves the right to make changes to the programme in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Tel: 023 9282 7261 Fax: 023 9287 5276