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:

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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This great abbey, marking the rebirth of Christianity in southern England, was founded shortly after AD 597 by St Augustine.

Originally created as a burial place for the Anglo-Saxon kings of Kent, it is part of the Canterbury World Heritage Site, along with the cathedral and St Martin's Church. The impressive abbey is situated outside the city walls and is sometimes missed by visitors.

At the abbey, you can also enjoy the museum and free audio tour.

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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Blackburn Cathedral is one of England's newest Cathedrals, yet it is one of the country's oldest places of Christian worship.

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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Wymondham Priory - it was raised to the status of an Abbey a mere ninety years before its suppression - was founded in 1107 as a community of Benedictine monks. The founder was William D'Aubigny, sometimes referred to as d'Albini, Chief Butler to King Henry I whose widow, Alice of Louvrain, was later to marry William's son.

The building was on an ambitious scale. Stone was shipped across the English Channel from Caen, in Normandy, and the original Nave - a scaled-down version of the Nave of Norwich Cathedral - was twelve bays long.

Venue Type: 
Castles
Overall Rating: 
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Wolvesey has been an important residence of the wealthy and powerful Bishops of Winchester since Anglo-Saxon times. Standing next to Winchester Cathedral, the extensive surviving ruins of the palace date largely from the 12th-century work of Bishop Henry of Blois. The last great occasion here was on 25 July 1554, when Queen Mary and Philip of Spain held their wedding breakfast in the East Hall.

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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Thornton Abbey's enormous and ornate fortified gatehouse is the largest and amongst the finest in England. This North Lincolnshire tourist attraction is the ideal way to spend a day.

Discover the turbulent lives of its former residents and try to spot the local wildlife, the more modern inhabitants of the abbey ruins. Why not visit nearby St Peter’s church and unlock the Buried Lives exhibit.

Livestock likely to be present on site and access path.

Don't Miss

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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Holy Trinity, Stratford, on the banks of the River Avon, is probably England's most visited Parish Church. As well as being a thriving Parish church, it receives many thousands of visitors each year due to the fact that William Shakespeare was baptised here, worshipped here, and is buried in the chancel. There is also the famous bust of Shakespeare, the Clopton monument and many examples of fine stained glass windows.

Guided Tours

Venue Type: 
Religious Buildings
Overall Rating: 
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Byland Abbey is the perfect place to stop on a family day out, or if you’re walking or cycling in the North York Moors National Park.

Once one of the greatest monasteries in England, Byland Abbey inspired the design of church buildings throughout the North. 

A truly outstanding example of early gothic architecture, it inspired the design of the famous York Minster rose window. The Museum displays colourful interpretation panels together with archaeological finds from the site, giving the visitor a fascinating insight into monastic life in Yorkshire.

Venue Type: 
Art Gallery
Overall Rating: 
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The Shipley Art Gallery is the North East’s leading gallery of craft and design. The Shipley houses one of the most important collections of contemporary British craft, along with fine collections of design and paintings.

The Designs for Life gallery provides a stimulating learning environment in which themes including form and function, materials and manufacturing, pattern, chairs and lighting can be explored in an interactive way.

Venue Type: 
Historic Buildings & Monuments
Overall Rating: 
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See Scottish literature come to life in this 18th-century thatched cottage in the heart of Kirkoswald, Ayr. The former home of cobbler – or souter – John Davidson, the real-life Souter Johnnie immortalised in the Robert Burns poem Tam o’ Shanter, it features a thatched tavern in the garden, complete with life-sized sandstone statues of the poem’s main characters.

Venue Type: 
Museums
Overall Rating: 
0

A small museum packed with fascinating information, and full of fun things to do and see. Dress up as a monk, build a castle, see an observation beehive and more. Free audio guide available.

School and Group Visits

Educational and group visits may be arranged for any day of the week and evening visits are also possible. Group and evening visits must be by prior arrangement.

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