Hey Everyone, firstly regular viewers to the blog will notice we've had a bit of a redesign. We hope you like it as we certainly do!
This series has been looking at days out for the Summer Holidays but as we know the Summer Holidays are very nearly over so we will be replacing this series very soon - keep your eyes on the blog and our social media platforms for more information over the coming weeks.
We have also now opened up an +Instagram account - our username is the_hocks
Today's post will see us visit some different museums throughout the UK. We are going to start with a museum from each capital city of the UK, so London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin. Then we will look at a few others around the country in the hope we pick one within reasonable distance to everyone.
So lets start with +Visit London and the +Museum of London
The museum has several galleries that are always open to the public for free of charge. They look at the History of London from 1666 all the way through to the 21st century. The Museum is also home to the +London 2012 Opening Cauldron and a video plays in the gallery of the moment it was unveiled to the world during the ceremony
The museum also as temporary exhibitions that are both Free and some they do charge entry to.
The museum is located at 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN and is close to St Paul's Cathedral. The nearest Tube station is either Barbican or St Paul's.
As mentioned entry to the museum is free of charge with the option to pay to see certain exhibits.
The museum does have a Cafe to buy food from but also has a "Lunch Space" where you can eat food you have taken yourself.
For more information about the location, exhibits and everything else about the museum please visit their Website - Click Here
Now lets head over to Wales and its capital city - Cardiff which is home to the Cardiff Story Museum.
The museum is located right in the city centre in the historic old library building. The museum shows Cardiff's rise from a small market town in the 1300's to the vibrant city it is now.
The museum has fun, interactive galleries that tell you the history through the eyes of the people of Cardiff
Again entry into the museum is free and as well as permanent exhibitions they do have temporary ones too. To find its location, opening times and any other information please visit the official website - Click Here
Next Capital is +visitdublin - The capital city of Ireland and the Museum we are looking at is the National Print Museum of Ireland
This Museum collects and documents any Material evidence of Ireland's Printing craft and any other associated crafts to the printing world
They have a number of permanent exhibitions and say that at any one time only about 30% of their total collections are on display due to the amount they have and the space they have. The museum like all others hosts temporary exhibitions relating to the museum.
Again, entry to this museum is free of charge but they do also offer guided tours at a cost. The museum is located in the Old Garrison Chapel of Beggars Bush Barracks in Dublin 4 and the nearest DART stations are Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock which are both about a 5 minute walk.
For more information on this museum please visit their official website - Click Here
The last Capital city for us to visit is Edinburgh - Scotland's capital city and the Museum of Childhood
The Museum is a great day out for any family, where the children can learn about what the children of the past enjoyed and played and what toys they had and the adult can remember actually playing with them!
The Museum is located on the Royal Mile and is again free to enter. It doesn't have any cafes but there are plenty around the museum on the Royal Mile
For more information on its exhibitions, collections, location and opening times please visit their official website - Click Here
Now, briefly here are some other good museums located around the UK
National Railway Museum in York - Website
Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool - Website
Ashmolean Museum in Oxford - Website
Imperial War Museum North in Manchester - Website
Riverside Museum in Glasgow - Website
National Waterfront Museum in Swansea - Website
There are hundreds of great museums in the UK and they are very often a great interactive way for children to learn.
So that is today's post - Hope you have enjoyed it and we will next see you on Friday for the 2nd post in our new "The Hocks on..." Series
