A great free 'past'-time (get that pun?) (Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Date:	08/04/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: free

Disadvantages: access

In our quest to fill the days with fun for our two year old, yesterday we went to the museum. Situated on the edge of the city centre, next to the library, the museum / art gallery has just undergone a refurbishment, so we were excited to see what it had to offer.

Entry is up some stone steps, and through a rather heavy door - not easy with a pram, but we managed it. When you enter, you are in a foyer that has staff waiting to help (if you should need them).

Immediately on your right is a room full of nature artefacts, such as stuffed animals, dried flowers, gem-stones, skeletons and the like. There were, perhaps, a couple of hundred animals on exhibition, and it was a great opportunity to see animals up close. There's something a tad macabre about seeing dead animals, but it does give you the chance to view something in detail that you would otherwise not get the chance to see.

The rooms on your left upon entry are filled with world and local history. First off, Africa, with out-fits to look at and instruments to try. Then there's a small selection of Japanese stuff, including a samurai sword, and a few bits and bobs from Egypt too. The local history is (as you expect) much more impressive, with three small-ish room filled with artefacts, including historical maps and photos. There are around a dozen model boats too, some of which were very grand, and some bone models made by prisoners.

The emphasis in the museum is very much on children and interaction, with games, toys, puzzles and interactive computers along the way. Whilst this is great for young ones, it does leave something to be desired for adult visitors, and I feel the balance has swung too far towards drawing young people in, and not enough for the grown-ups. At times, it felt like a children's arcade, which was nice for the children, but not so for me.

Up-stairs is the art gallery, which has different things on at different times. To be honest, it's just like any other gallery, with photos or art on display - all minimalistic and reverentially quiet - not the best bit to go to with young kids.


All in all, a great FREE day out, that will entertain the kids on the ground floor, with the top floor recommended for adults only.

Summary: do it