Buckinghamshire County Museum and Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery

Buckinghamshire County Museum is also known as Bucks County Museum. The museum is on Church Street in Aylesbury. The Roald Dahl Children’s gallery is part of the museum’s offering despite having differing operating hours.

Bucks County Museum Information

The museum’s hours change seasonally, and they’re open in Winter (ending 31 March) from 10am – 4pm, Tuesday – Saturday. Hours may vary, so call ahead to ensure that the museum is open when you arrive.

The museum sits in the center of Aylesbury and is housed in three older buildings that were joined together to form the library.

Collections

The museum is a relic of Buckinghamshire’s and Milton Keynes past. Collections dating back 150 years reside in the museum. Guests will find an array of information and collections in the museum, including:

  • Coins
  • Costumes
  • Art
  • Archeology
  • Geology
  • Plants

Information is linked to each collection to provide guests with an in-depth look at the pieces they’re viewing. A rich array of the city’s past can be found in the museum.

What’s On

The what’s on schedule fluctuates every season. The museum holds a Winter lecture series which often includes a series of talks about the Civil War and its impact on Buckinghamshire in the 17th century.

A few of the great lectures presented through the Bucks County Museum University Series include:

  • Lacemakers and Old Songs
  • Skeletal isotopes and the Beaker People
  • Mammoths in Britain

These professional lectures do have a ticket charge of £7.50 each, or £25 to attend a four-series event.

Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery Information

The Children’s Gallery is located at the back of the building and has its own entrance. The museum’s hours during the winter are 10am – 4pm on Saturday. School visits take place Monday – Friday during school term time.

Children under four can enter the museum for free, while children 4 – 18 are charged £4.95 for admission. There are family packages available for £20.

When children visit the gallery, you’ll find hands-on fun and Roald Dahl magic. There are exhibits consisting of five of Dahl’s books.

Guests can:

  • Walk through Matilda’s library
  • Crawl along Fantastic Mr. Fox’s tunnel
  • Investigate the crazy inventions of Willy Wonka
  • Dress up in vintage clothing
  • Enter James’ Giant Peach

It’s a gallery of magic for kids. The second floor is filled with surprises. The imagination gallery is unlike anything children have ever experienced. There are old Victorian optical illusions, and the gallery is filled with surprises.

It’s a time of magic and adventure for children to enjoy.

Museum Facilities

The museum’s facilities provide guests with a time they’ll never forget. There’s a garden which provides shelter from the hustle and bustle of Aylesbury. Guests are free to bring their lunch into the garden to eat before going through the museum’s collections.

The museum’s café has delectable food to choose from, including:

  • Cakes
  • Hot soups
  • Sandwiches

There’s also an array of hot and cold drinks.

A brilliant shop is open that offers a wide selection of gifts and souvenirs to purchase. There are Roald Dahl books and merchandise available, too.

Catering is available on-site, with seating for 20 indoors and 50 outdoors for large groups.

If guests want to have a birthday party at the museum, there are two-hour birthday parties available. The birthday parties are held at the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery, and they include:

  • One hour fun session (groups of 20 or more)
  • Party food
  • Roald Dal Crafts

Parties can add a Roald Dahl goodies bag, too. The cost for the party is just £14.95 per child with a minimum group of 12 people. The entire event revolves around the magic of Roald Dahl. Kids love every moment of the party.

Disability Access

Guests who are disabled will find that the Buckinghamshire County Museum is disability-friendly. The museum ensures guests of all mobility ranges can enjoy the collections and events.

The museum offers:

  • Adapted WCs
  • Induction loop facilities
  • Two lifts
  • Wide door openings

Guests who need special assistance can call the museum ahead of time to ask for assistance. The museum will do all they can to ensure guests are comfortable and able to enjoy everything the museum offers during their stay.

Guide dogs are permitted in the facilities.

There’s parking for disabled visitors along with ramp and level access. Special toilets are available for disabled guests, too.

Room Hire

Guests can choose to hire the museum learning zones. The zones consist of two large rooms and a kitchenette facility. There’s a small meeting room, and lecture or board room formats can be requested.

Flip chart facilities and projector facilities are available.

Small and large rooms can be purchased for half and full day events. Hourly options are available on request.

Buckinghamshire County Museum and the Roald Dahl Children’s Museum bring fun and magic into a child’s life. This is a day out that the kids will never forget. Fans of Roald Dahl will love the children’s gallery, too.