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It's The Weekend is a guide of things to do and places top go. Cinema, Theatre, Shopping, Pampering. Treats, even places where kids and families can go for free!

Gloucestershire Free Days Out

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum has become one of the first museums in the south-west to be awarded Fully Accredited status under the Museums Libraries & Archives Council’s new Accreditation Scheme for Museums

Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 17.20
First Thursday of each month open at 11.00
Closed Bank Holidays
Closed Sundays

Admission - It's FREE to come in; donations are welcome

Totally accessible for wheelchair users, lift, ramps, etc to all floors (to use lift, please ask a member of security staff). Free loan of wheelchair, pushchair or toddler stool. Induction loop and speech reinforcement system in the Meeting Room. Handling tables throughout the galleries. Guide dogs welcome.

Oddas hapel

A Saxon chapel known as 'Odda's Chapel' which was dedicated in 1056. It lies in the northern quadrant of a Saxon Royal vill which is oval in shape and defined by banks and ditches. The chapel consists of a nave and chancel, and has two double splayed round headed windows, one of which still retains part of a wooden window frame in situ. The chapel continued in use until the 13th century. In the 16th century alterations were made to the upper storey of the chancel and the nave became a kitchen with an open hearth. The building is Scheduled and Listed Grade I.

Gloucester City Museum and Art Gallery

The museum's fascinating displays are housed in a fine Victorian Building in the heart of the City and contains many items of national and international importance. Among the spectacular collection are the archaeological finds, fine and decorative arts, and natural history specimens representing Gloucester's rich heritage.

A visit to the City Museum and Art Gallery will tell you so much about the early history of Gloucester. As well as fascinating Roman and Mediaeval displays there are dinosaurs, fossils, paintings, clocks, furniture, the stunning Birdlip Mirror and lots more.

Accessibility: Disable toilet, lift to Exhibition Room and Art Gallery, Hearing Loop System.

OPENING TIMES: Tuesday to Saturday all year, 10.00-17.00. FREE ADMISSION

To contact us: Phone us: +44 (01452) 396131

Gloucester Folk Museum

Gloucester Folk Museum is one of the oldest-established museums dedicated to social history. The collections have been drawn together through mainly gifts from the entire county of Gloucestershire, and represent one of the most fascinating collections of such material.

From treen (small wooden items), to the intriguing story of the river Severn fisheries; from historic costume to the life of the dairy; from the reconstructed Victorian classroom to the original pin factory - all of these plus hundreds of other elements of our local history are to be found here.

Set in Tudor timber-framed buildings, one of which was traditionally associated with the final night of the protestant martyr, Bishop Hooper, the Folk Museum is a complex of rooms on different levels and with a unique ambience that makes it a popular sight for locals and visitors. Behind the chocolate-box facade is a museum which is both larger than seems possible, and constantly surprising. No visit to Gloucestershire is complete without seeing the treasures and curiosities on display.

Local history, domestic life, crafts, trades and industries from c.1500 to the present, including a Toys and Childhood gallery with hands-on toys and a puppet theatre, the Siege of Gloucester, domestic life, The Portal with interactive quizzes and much more.

OPENING TIMES: Tuesday to Saturday all year, 10.00-17.00. FREE ADMISSION

To contact us: Phone us: +44 (01452) 396868; Fax us : +44 (01452) 330495

Warwickshire Free Days Out

A unique treasure trove of history and memorabilia housed in the original 19th century workshops where the shoe and boot maker James Gilbert made the first rugby ball in 1842.

The museum is packed with much rugby memorabilia and is popular with rugby fans. Traditional handmade rugby balls are still made at the museum.

Mon to Sat, closed Sundays.

Warwickshire Yeomanry Museum
Uniforms, arms, swords, sabres and selected silver.
The Court House, Jury Street
Tel: +44 (0)1926 492212

OPEN
Easter to October
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank and Public Holiday Mondays.
10.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 16.00

Other times by appointment.

ADMISSION FREE

South West of England. Children go free.

Denham Country Park - Uxbridge
Rivers, woodlands and meadows.
www.buckscc.gov.uk/countryside/countryparks

Hanningfield Reservoir Visitor Centre - Billericay, Essex
100 acre nature reserve on the shores of Hanningfield Reservoir
www.essexwt.org.uk

High Woods Country Park - Colchester, Essex
woodland, wetland, grassland, farmland - fishing and horse-riding trail.
www.visitweb.com/hwcp

Lee Valley Park - Waltham Abbey, Essex
Bird-watching, fishing and Walking.
www.leevalleypark.com

Weald Country Park - Brentwood
Deer Paddock, two lakes, walks and nature trails.
Tel: 01277 216297

The Bear Museum- Petersfield, Hampshire.
Antique teddy bears in Edwardian setting.
www.bearmuseum.co.uk

Fort Nelson - The Royal Armouries - Fareham, Hampshire
Victorian fort fully restored set in 19 acres. Live firing daily.
www.armouries.org.uk

Southampton Maritime Museum - Southampton
Medieval stone warehouse with exhibitions including Titanic and interactive displays.
www.southampton.gov.uk/leisure/heritage

The Needles Park, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight
Park with rides and attractions, chairlift to beach.
www.theneedles.co.uk

Capstone Farm Country Park, Gillinham, Kent
280 acres of meadows and woodlands with childrens' play areas.
01634 812196

Bank of England Museum, Threadneedle Street, London EC2
Museum within the Bank of England charting the history of money.
www.bankofengland.co.uk

Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1
Interactive, sights and smells of wartime in London.
www.iwm.org.uk

Livesey Museum for Children, Old Kent Road, London SE1
Interactive exhibitions for children up to 12
www.Liveseymuseum.org.uk

Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7
Interactive exhibitions from dinosaurs onwards. Some exhibitions have entrance fees.
www.nhm.ac.uk

Ragged School Museum, Copperfield Road, London E3
On the site of the original Dr. Barnardo's Ragged School. Dedicated to East End.
www.raggedschool.museum.org.uk

Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon London NW9
Museum of aviation, interactive areas. Flying through the ages.
www.rafmuseum.com

Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7
Interactive exhibits from yesteryear to tomorrow's world.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

Stepping Stones Farm, Stepney High Street, London E1
Working farm, farming demonstrations, farm trail and play area.
www.stepneynews.com

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1
National gallery of British art from 16th century to today.
www.tate.org.uk

Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20
Woodland and downs with marked trails and strolls.
01306 885502

CherryTree Farm, Lingfield, Surrey RH7
Stabling for rescue horses, donkeys, and ponies - guided tours.
www.ilph.org.uk

Harbour Park Family Amusement Park - Littlehampton, West Sussex
Traditional family amusement park and fairground - individual fees for rides.
01903 721200

Shpwreck Heritage Centre, Hastings, East Sussex TN34
Collection of historic treasures salvaged from shipwrecks.
01424 437452

Tilgate Park & Nature Reserve, Crawley, West Sussex RH10
Endangered species and breeds, wild and domestic animals.
www.crawley.gov.uk

[ kids go free - South West England ]