What an amazing place! We happened to see this museum as we…read morewere walking by and were intrigued by their moving signage. Inside there are plenty of machines that whir and perform small tasks or even make music. Lots of interactive things to see and do, buttons to push, pedals to press, even a magnetic marble track you can build yourself! It's a treat for young and old and definitely worth the small entry fee.

The opening hours are stated for October to March. Opening hours from April to September are a…read morelittle longer (10:30 to 18:30 daily). A friend recommended this place to me thinking that my boys would like it. My friend was right! We did all enjoy the interactive displays. The extent of the interactivity is mainly pressing a button though but it's still good. There is an interesting range of mechanical art and my boys and I were fascinated by the mechanisms. It is quite a small place. It cost £19 for the four of us (2 adults and 2 children) which isn't too bad but, considering we spent less than an hour in there and saw everything, it does seem a little expensive. There are two floors. One very small room on each floor displaying different pieces of art. It can get rather crowded due to the small size, especially downstairs where the entrance/exit is the same. In the same small area, there is a counter where there is a single member of staff who both admits people and serves the gift shop. The gift shop is basically a small portion of the wall within the ground floor of the museum. Many items are over-priced and the selection is very limited. We did enjoy ourselves there and would recommend it but it could get claustrophobic and the upstairs can be noisy (although it does state this on the signage).

Visited the museum while in Oxford for the day. Lots of history and neat exhibits to visit. We…read moresaw insects, fossils and tons of other things, almost too many to list. The day of our visit, there were a few schools visiting but everyone we encountered from the staff to the young preschool students were friendly and considerate. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Oxford.

A museum of natural history would generally be on my list of "museums I don't wish to visit" but…read morethe Oxford Museum of Natural History proved that I barely know myself. First, it's free of charge which automatically makes it attractive. But though free may get me in the door it won't guarantee I'll enjoy it. This museum isn't just free but it is also gorgeous and interesting, a real home run. And, in the event that Natural History isn't your jam even here, this place contains the portal to the almost indescribable Pitt Rivers Museum (also free). One of these is bound to be your happy place.

This is an amazing 2 story museum with all kinds of artifacts from old wedgewood to Egypt's tomb…read moreand artifacts Teapots and tea cups old coins to everything in between. 2 nd floor loads of paintings to look at. Entry is free which is always a plus.

The Fitzwilliam Museum offers a well rounded and varied collection. It is sure to please most…read moremuseum visitors regardless of interests. If you're a fan of the work of Georges-Pierre Seurat, you're sure to enjoy the 1884 Neo-Impressionism painting, "The Couple" (original title: Un dimanche après-midi sur l'île de la Grande Jatte). Does it somehow look familiar? This was a study for A Sunday on the Island of la Grande Jatte! "This work is one of many that Georges-Pierre Seurat made in preparation for a much larger painting. The woman's stiff posture is accentuated by her tightly buttoned jacket and the exaggerated bustle of her skirt, which echoes the curve of her parasol. Given that the area of Paris depicted here was known for prostitution, it has been suggested that the woman is a sex worker on the arm of a male client." Give yourself several hours if you plan to take in the entire collection. If you are fortunate enough to live nearby and can visit often, take your time and you're sure to fall in love with one of the many wonderfully curated items found within the museum walls.

We had a great time exploring the Pitt Rivers Museum! There is SO much on display it's almost hard…read moreto take it all in. If you're an anthropology buff, this is your place. So many neat things to see and everything you can imagine, too many to list. From clothing to masks to weapons to toys all from different cultures and different times. We even saw a Totem Pole! Overall a fascinating place to visit, just wish we'd had more time to explore!

What you think of Oxford's Pitt Rivers Museum likely depends on how you like your museums. With…read moremore than 500,000 objects on display, Pitt Rivers is ripe for exploration. There's multi-level display cases everywhere, each seemingly containing more than the last. And don't get me started on the drawers; they're everywhere too, and when you pull them out you'll find hundreds more items in each. So if you like your museums with a few paintings on each wall this might not be your jam but you'll still probably be happy you went. You've likely never seen anything like this. A young woman in a shop mentioned, several days before my visit, that she particularly liked this museum and the way she described the entrance intrigued me. As it should: the entrance to this museum is found when you're already inside another museum (The Museum of Natural History; both are free of charge). Officially, the Pitt Rivers Museum displays both the archeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford. But unofficially, it's like entering someone's giant garage, very well organized but also packed to the rafters. One could spend months in here and only skim the surface.

An interesting hour spent studying all sorts of scientific instruments from Babbage's difference…read moreengine, hand held calculators and a cool section of hands on experiments and instruments for kids.

Adjoining the town library is the gallery dedicated to Alfred East, holding important collections…read moredonated by Sir Alfred East and Thomas Cooper Gotch, both born in Kettering. A nice, compact gallery to spent an hour or two, exhibitions, concerts, talks, plenty to do, check out the web site :)

The Alfred East Art Gallery combines being the home to a national collection of works by Sir Alfred…read moreEast, and local artists T C Gotch and W B Gash, with contemporary exhibitions of interest to visitors and residents. You can get some idea of the main collections by downloading the Hidden Treasures exhibition catalogue from the local authority's website http://www.kettering.gov.uk/downloads/file/5049/hidden_treasures_catalogue Frequently changing temporary exhibitions mean there is often something new, and lunchtime visits can be rewarding. There is an active group of Friends you can join to support the work of the Gallery and Museum Photo link: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqnxl01KSpA/T-h5dBZ1igI/AAAAAAAAACw/N55qaSE_1rQ/s1600/Sign+goes+Live.jpg

Blimey, this house is almost older than Brazil! Built in 1590, Blakesley Hall is a fine 17th…read moreTudor's building located in Yardley, Birmingham. After belonging to important people from that area, the house became a museum, in 1935. This architecture survived a bomb in 1941, had also several renovationsbut it's just incredible how architecture and history was being preserved for almost 400 years! I have visited this wonderful heritage hall once and the experience of being inside this listing building is like going back in time to find out more about Birmingham in the past. There is a lovely cafe inside the property as well and some tables outside, where I had a really nice coffee and a gorgeous piece of chocolate cake that brought me to the atmosphere of old farmers days. The admission to this wonderful heritage is £ 4 (adults) and children under 16 years have free admission. The access to the garden and visitor centre is also free. The Blakesley Hall provides several events during the year and it's always a good idea to check their website regularly to be updated about them.

On par with the heritage of Sarehole Mill, Blakesely Hall is one of the greatest pieces of history…read morelocated outside of the city centre. The hall is seeped in history and Tudor royalty, and immediately transports visitors back to this time (by smell alone for me). If you love learning more about Birmingham's past, and piecing together what the city used to be like, then Blakesely is well worth a visit for you! The garden area is by far the best part, as it is maintained to perfect the Tudor era through the beauty of herbs, lavender and other flowers from this time. The garden is great to visit in the summer, especially when the flowers are in full bloom. Inside, the hall isn't quite as exciting as I'd expected, and I think Sarehole Mill is definitely better with regards to my interest. There are very little props or descriptions at Blakesely, and I find the whole experience a little too simplistic. However, the small cafeteria is really nice and relaxing, as it looks over the garden; So you can sip a tea and imagine being alive 400 years ago!

RAF Coningsby, on the B1192 south of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. About half a mile from Coningsby…read morevillage, 13 miles north-east of Sleaford on the A153. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks, and a Dakota. In 1986, it became possible to view these historic aircraft, at their base at RAF Coningsby. In the years immediately following World War Two it became traditional for a Spitfire and Hurricane to lead the Victory Day flypast over London . From that event there grew the idea to form an historic collection of flyable aircraft, initially to commemorate the RAF's major battle honour. Since it began in 1957, the aircrew on the Flight have been drawn from volunteers who maintain the 12 historic aircraft both at Coningsby and out on the display circuit. Visitors are led on a guided tour around the BBMF hangar by knowledgeable and enthusiastic volunteer guides, who give freely of their time and who, in many cases, have first hand experience of the aircraft Entry to the exhibition centre, souvenir shop and car park is free; there is a small charge for guided tours of the hangar, with special rates for groups Well stocked shop offering an extensive range of aviation gifts. There is a permanent exhibition gallery exploring Lincolnshire's links with the RAF plus regular programme of temporary exhibitions. Open Monday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm Guided tours of the hangar from 10.30am - 3.30pm (3.00pm November - February) but of course in show season they cannot guarantee certain planes will be there. You will see them flying somewhere though. These are REAL planes folkand I love 'em!

This was a wonderful private collection started in 1978 by a man moving fro South Africa…read more He had a real eye for collecting. Cars, bikes, motorcycles, toys, pic nic sets , side cars and signs. Overwhelming. Great two hours. Nominal fee

One of the highlights of our trip. Went way above expectations and then some. So well organized…read more Spotless. An amazing collection of cars, camper vans, motorcycles, toys and even a "car parts shop" that looked like it could have been real. Very impressed and would go back many times again.

Love this place always good to take the kids to very interesting and has lots to learn aboutread more