A Viking viewing
Guernsey Museum opens today for the first time this year and IslandFamilies was treated to a sneak preview of the fabulous new Timewarp and Discovery Room theme.
The Vikings were seafaring raiders and traders from Scandinavia and now the island’s children can indulge in an interactive Viking age role-play thanks to the new theming.
While the Museum was closed in January, the Discovery Room was transformed and this year’s Timewarp centrepiece is a fabulous Viking longship moored in Guernsey on a misty day about 1,100 years ago, created by the museum’s technical team. With a dragon painted on the bough of the ship to scare away enemies, children can climb aboard and interact with the contents of the ship including baskets, bags, clay cups, trinkets and a secret hatch. Even the shields down the side of the ship can be picked up and played with, with a nod to the real shield racks that lined Viking ships all those years ago. Perhaps youngsters can try and make a shield wall?
There’s also a trunk filled with Viking goodies such as leather shoes, an axe, chain mail and a Viking drum. It’s this kind of attention to detail that makes the Timewarp so fantastic year on year, enabling both social and fantasy play, ensuring just about any Viking scenario can be played out.
Outside of the Timewarp, the Viking theme extends throughout the Discovery Room with a treasure chest filled with high quality replica Viking objects on display. From a Viking buckle, weapons, runes, drinking horns, helmets and runes, there’s lots for children to see and perhaps gather inspiration to take into their role-play. That’s the beauty of this area, the discovery and ability to visualise just fuels their imagination!
Staff and volunteers have been busy behind the scenes making costumes, props and hand-painting murals and this commitment shines through. There’s a beautiful rack of dress-up items for children to release their inner shield maiden or discover their warrior spirit. Dress-up encourages creative thinking and we all know that a simple costume piece can help a child fully immerse themselves in their play and this is an incredible offering to aid that.
On the table, a box of runes and Viking books sit alongside games there to be played. Why not try your hand at Hnefatafl, meaning King’s Table, a popular Viking game found at many archaeological sites where one player has a king and a small army, while the other player has a large army (also available to buy in the gift shop). Visitors can even play draughts using exact copies of the Viking gaming counter discovered in Guernsey.
The Viking theme also extends to the gift shop where a selection of Viking goods has been put together including everything from books, horns and swords to games, ornaments and helmets. And don’t forget that Discovery Pass holders are entitled to 10% off their purchases in the gift shop.
All-in-all, we are so impressed with this year’s theming and are sure you’ll agree that the children of the Bailiwick are lucky to have such a facility provided by the talented, passionate and creative team at Guernsey Museums. Enjoy your visit!
This year’s Timewarp and the Viking theme in the Discovery Room will run until 31 December 2021.
What else is there?
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has been extended until the 16th May with permission from the Natural History Museum. It features ninety-nine exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breath-taking diversity of the natural world.
Castle Cornet, Fort Grey and the German Naval Signals HQ will all open on 30 April and it’s worth noting that any Discovery Passes bought last year were extended to the end of 2021 to compensate for the reduced season after the first lockdown.
