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Table top with a range of paints, colouring pencils and pastels, with three children's hands doing artwork

What’s On at Chippenham Museum?

collage image of Sindy doll

Easter Drop-in Activities

Tuesdays 2 & 9 April
Thursdays 4 & 11 April
10.30am – 3.30pm
Free, drop-in

Join in with our 1960s themed craft activities inspired by the Museum’s temporary exhibition celebrating the Diamond anniversary of Sindy.

Please note that activities change weekly so Tuesday and Thursday of any week will be the same activity.

Photo showing colouring in and a pot of crayons

Quiet Time: Easter Activities

Tuesdays 2 & 9 April
Thursdays 4 & 11 April
9.30am – 10.00am
Free, booking essential via Eventbrite

Experience the Museum’s free drop-in activities in a quieter way before the museum is open to the public.

Limited to four accompanied children our Quiet Time sessions offer children, who would find the busy nature of our drop-in sessions uncomfortable an opportunity to enjoy our activities in a relaxed way.

These sessions are free, with booking essential. Please book a space for each accompanied children attending.

Workshop details:

Enjoy our latest temporary exhibition celebrating the Diamond anniversary of Sindy before the Museum opens to the public and get creative with our 1960s themed craft activity.

Please note that activities change weekly so the Tuesday and Thursday of any week will be the same activity, you are advised to book for only one day per week.

Photograph of Spotlight 3 exhibition

Collection Conversations

Monthly
2pm – 3.30pm
Free, booking essential

Join in our exciting new series of art talks at Chippenham Museum. Book your tickets via Eventbrite.

Artists from the museum’s Modern and Contemporary Art collection will be talking about their work, providing insights into their inspiration and practice. This will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions with the audience encouraged to join in the conversation.

Coming up:

Rosalind Whitehouse – Saturday 23 March – CANCELLED

Anita Taylor – Saturday 20 April – SOLD OUT

Sarah Gillespie & Amy-Jane Blackhall – Saturday 25 May – SOLD OUT

James Castle & Anna Gillespie – Saturday 22 June – SOLD OUT

Rosalind Robinson & Claire Loder – Saturday 27 July

Helen Simmonds & Penny Grist – Saturday 24 August – CANCELLED

Nicholas Lees & Jo Taylor – Saturday 21 September

Ian Chamberlain & Sandra Porter – Saturday 19 October

Ron George & Alun Crockford – Saturday 23 November

Iain Cotton, Richard Crooks & Guy Thomas – Saturday 14 December

For sold out events, email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to join a waiting list.

Picture of man and statue

Maud’s Way

First Wednesday of the month
3 April to 4 September, 7pm – 9pm
Free, spaces limited

Join Chippenham Museum’s Creative Writing Group and take part in our new series of 6 linked writing workshops led by local writer and facilitator Ruth Hill.

Inspired by the 550th anniversary of Maud Heath’s Causeway and the Museum’s summer exhibition, Re-imagining Maud Heath, discover how Maud and her Causeway has been celebrated by artists, writers, and everyday people across the centuries. Explore the stories surrounding Maud Heath and consider how local myths and legends begin and grow over time.

Over the 6 months, explore, discover, share and create your own local stories and perhaps some of these will develop into longstanding legends which will be told for years to come!

These sessions are suitable for beginners to experienced writers and will culminate with performed readings as part of the Maud’s Way Heritage Open Day’s events in September.

Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Chippenham Museum.

Workshops are free but spaces are limited. Email heritage@chippenham.gov.uk to reserve your place.

Photo of a group of people on guided town walk

Town Walks

Saturdays and Thursdays
Free, booking essential via Eventbrite

Join a member of the Chippenham Museum team for a free guided walk introducing the town’s history, from King Alfred and the Saxons to the present day. This 40 minute exploration of the town is perfect for both residents and visitors, families welcome.

Our walks are free to enjoy but booking is essential as places are limited.

Meet at The Buttercross, Market Place. Arrive 5-10 minutes before to allow for a prompt start.

Saturdays at 2pm:

11 May, 8 June, 13 July,
10 & 24 August, 14 September

Thursdays at 7pm:

23 May, 20 June, 25 July,
15 & 29 August, 19 September

Regular Activities

under five and adult enjoying painting a picture

Discovery Time

Every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays)
10.30am – 12pm
£1.50 per child
Drop in, no booking required

Messy play for under 5s. Develop their creative side at Chippenham Museum with crafts, paints, toys, sandpit and more!

This is a drop-in session and places are limited. We recommend arriving at the start to guarantee a place.

This session takes place upstairs (with lift access) in the museum’s Education Room with buggy parking downstairs in the museum.

young person with camera in gallery

Museum Photo Club

Wednesdays, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
£3 per session
Suitable for ages 11 – 17
Contact the museum to book

This after school club runs photography projects for young people to learn new skills and be creative. The club aims to improve self-expression and motivation, focusing on activities to help mental health and wellbeing while capturing great images and having fun.

people holding shards of pottery

West Wiltshire Young Archaeologists’ Club

Saturdays, once a month
10.30am – 12pm
To find out about membership, contact the museum

West Wiltshire YAC is open to everyone aged 8–16 years. YAC clubs get involved in all sorts of activities, including visiting and investigating archaeological sites and historic places, trying out traditional crafts, taking part in excavations, and lots more.

mug of drink, kitting and an open notebook

Crafty Café

Mondays, fortnightly (excluding Bank Holidays)
2pm – 3.30pm
Free, drop in, no booking required

Grab your needlework or knitting and join us every other Monday for an afternoon of craft, coffee and conversation at Chippenham Museum. A chance to talk with other crafters, swap patterns, share skills and get advice if you are stuck on a stitch! A fun and social way to share your hobby and maybe learn a new one?