As Wymondham Heritage Museum prepares to open for its new season, Neil Haverson looks at the variety of treats on offer
Anybody who has done the school run will know it is one of the most stressful times of the day.
He can’t find his dinner money and look at the stain on her cardigan. Time is running out; you’re finally heading for the door - and he’s still got his slippers on.
At last, with a huge sigh of relief, you deliver them to the playground. All you want to do now is chill.
Wymondham Heritage Museum opens on March 4, and with frazzled parents in mind is opening The Bridewell Tearoom at 9am on Thursdays and Fridays.
So, if you are dropping your children at school in or around Wymondham you can pop in for a restorative cuppa and a homemade scone.
There is no charge for entry to the tearoom only and it’s open every day until 4pm so, when you pick the little cherubs up in the afternoon, take them for a drink and a snack.
Crayons and colouring books are available. Make sure you have some change. Popping a coin in the wishing well is a must.
For the new season the museum has a greater focus on the younger visitor.
To encourage them to explore the history of the town and the local area, children will be admitted free during the school holidays.
Following their trip around the museum there’s a free glass of squash waiting for them in The Bridewell Tearoom.
New for this year, children can discover how the Victorians dressed.
Among the dressing up clothes are hats, aprons, shirts, long dresses and policeman’s helmets.
Capture the moment with a photo in front of the laundry mural and post it on the museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Where the dressing up clothes hang is a basket where a couple of mice live.
They want to explore too so children can take one with them around the museum and tell them all the fascinating things they see.
They haven’t got names yet but a watch out for a “Name the Mice” competition coming soon.
For those children who may not be comfortable with all that’s going on around them, available for the first time are sensory bags.
Included in these are ear defenders, a selection of sensory toys and a “feelings fan” for children to point to how they feel.
Of course, all the old favourites that appeal to the young are there. Go carefully down the concrete steps to the spooky dungeon and find out how prisoners served their sentences centuries ago.
Do a “Tim Team dig” in the sandbox and see what artefacts are buried there.
Operate the 1960s switchboard, originally used in the Abbey Hotel in Wymondham. And there’s a children’s quiz. Keep your eyes peeled as you go round the museum, answer the questions and win a prize.
Coming up is the Easter trail; every child who enters will win a prize – and don’t forget, free admission and free squash.
There’ll be something special for the parents too. Mother’s Day is Sunday March 10.
Scattered around the museum will be pictures of famous mothers and their children. Try to match them up - and there’ll be special treats in the Tearoom.
Plans are afoot for something special for Father’s Day in June.
The museum offers an all-round family visit. For more information and details of opening times go to thewhm.org.uk
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