Exhibitions

Exhibitions

What is it? 

An exhibition can be reasonably defined as a selection of items displayed for the enjoyment of the public. The specific subject of an exhibition can be almost anything, but the most popular themes tend to be art and history.

What does it involve?

Attending an exhibition mainly just involves paying attention and engaging with the show that has been put on for you! 

Why do it and what are the benefits?

The purpose of an exhibition is to display points of interest in the most effective manner, and it can be a great alternative way of learning than reading out of books in the classroom. Having a visual and tangible example of something in front of you makes it so much more interesting to learn about, especially if it's something you've only ever seen in pictures before e.g. you'll remember seeing preserved artefacts in real life much easier than when you saw it in a book. 

What equipment do we need?

Exhibitions often have guides to take you around and explain the display further, and specialist school group guides may have activities for the students to engage in during the visit - check beforehand to see if such a feature is available, and if you need to bring any equipment for it! Other than that, you shouldn't need to provide anything to enjoy an exhibition. 

Who is it suitable for?

While not all exhibitions are suitable for all ages, there is enough variety that there will be one perfectly suited to the age and interests of your student group - make sure to do your research!

Costs?

Entry to exhibitions can vary between costing nothing and a £30+ fee depending on the content and the venue!

Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)

Exhibition venues can often be large and confusing to navigate, so make sure younger groups of students are sufficiently supervised!

How do we include?

The variety of venues, subjects and sizes available when considering attending an exhibition means you should be able to include everyone regardless of interests or disabilities. 

Doing it abroad?

Foreign countries all have their own fascinating histories and culture which will all undoubtedly be displayed in a great exhibition somewhere! The main cities of a country are the most likely places to find an engaging exhibition, so check out whats on before you set off from the UK!

Main website: 

Consult individual venue websites to see exactly what they have on at the current time!

 

See the list below for venues and providers who deliver this activity:

Royal College of Physicians Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
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The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is the oldest medical college in England. Its collections relate to the history of the College, and to the physician's profession.

Collections range from portraits, providing a pictorial and sculptural record of presidents, fellows and other physicians associated with the RCP, from its foundation in 1518 to the present, the fascinating Symons collection of medical instruments, and the Hoffbrand collection of apothecary jars.

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Buildwas Abbey

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
0

Impressive ruins of a Cistercian abbey, including its unusually unaltered 12th century church, beautiful vaulted and tile-floored chapter house, and recently re-opened crypt chapel.

Situated in a wooded Severn-side setting, not far from the Iron Bridge and Wenlock Priory.

Don't Miss
  • The chapter house with its amazingly intact tiled floor and decorative stonework
  • The remains of the fine 12th century church
  • Taking the nature trail, including the abbey fishponds
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Rievaulx Abbey

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
0

If peace and tranquillity is what you seek from a family day out in Yorkshire, then Rievaulx Abbey is the perfect choice. Set in a remote valley in the North York Moors National Park, Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England’s abbey ruins. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North.

Learn about the monks in medieval times – how they devoted their lives to spiritual matters and at the same time established a thriving business to become one of the wealthiest monasteries in Britain.

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Royal Society of Medicine Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

The Medical and Chirurgical Society of London was founded on 22nd May 1805 with the aim of bringing together physicians and surgeons in order to further scientific, professional and social communication. This body eventually became the Royal Society of Medicine.

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The National Museum of Computing

Venue Type: 
Science & Technology
Overall Rating: 
0

A museum housing the world's largest selection of working vintage computers. It tells the story of computing from the 1940s Colossus computer, which helped the father of computers Alan Turing break the Nazi Enigma Code machine in the Second World War, through the monster mainframes of the 1970s, home computers of the 1980s to the Touchtable of the present. Most machines are working and many are hands-on.

The National Museum of Computing is located on the secret wartime codebreaking campus of Bletchley Park.

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Anaesthesia Heritage Centre

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

The Anaesthesia Heritage Centre at the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland was founded from a donation by A Charles King but has since embraced numerous contributions. The collection encompasses the entire history of anaesthesia, from Morton's demonstration of ether inhalation in 1846 to modern anaesthetic machines and appliances still in use today. An archive and library provide excellent facilities for research into the history of anaesthesia.

Schools

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Hunterian Museum

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

The Hunterian Museum in London exhibits collections which have been brought together over four centuries by a cast of colourful characters including the surgeon and anatomist John Hunter (1728-1793). They are a fascinating mix of human and animal anatomy and pathology specimens, wax teaching models, surgical and dental instruments as well as paintings, drawings and sculpture.

Reopened in 2005 after a £3.2 million refurbishment, permanent displays and a changing programme of temporary exhibitions encourage visitors to explore the science and art of surgery.

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Woburn Abbey

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Welcome to Woburn Abbey which has been the Russell’s family home since the early 17th Century. We hope you will enjoy exploring the beauty and history of The Abbey and its treasures, collected by our ancestors, who were as passionate as we are to share this experience with you. There is always something new happening in the house as we discover more about its history, so join us and be part of Woburn’s ongoing story.

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Museum of the Order of St John

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

The Museum of the Order of St John tells a unique and fascinating story — the story of the Order of St John. Warrior monks set out from the Priory in Clerkenwell to fight for the faith and tend the sick; men, money and supplies went from here to hospitals on the great medieval pilgrim routes; Victorian pioneers began a first aid movement here that spread around the globe and continues today with St John Ambulance and the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.

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Great Cressingham Victorian School

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
0

Specialising in school visits, Great Cressingham offers school children the chance to experience a remarkably detailed recreation of a Victorian School. Wearing period clothing they’ll use slates and dip pens, learn by rote and sing accompanied by a harmonium.

Each year, several special open days offer the general public a chance to enjoy a similar ‘living history’ experience.

The school building was built in 1840.

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