The Best of Box of Delights

Saturday 7 November – Wednesday 23 December

Unique and affordable gifts handmade by local artists

Box of Delights returns for another sumptuous celebration of the best art and craft on offer from around the local Kent and Sussex area. Packed with unique and affordable items, this year’s exhibition will feature a variety of the most popular artists from previous shows as well a few new faces, all for your gift-buying pleasure. This year’s show will include glassware, ceramics, jewellery, paintings, prints and much, much more. Situated in the heart of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Box of Delights offers you a haven of calm in which to find that perfect Christmas gift.

David Hockney – Six Tales from the Brothers Grimm

Saturday 9 January – Sunday 7 February

A Hayward Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England

A chance to see the work of a famous contemporary artist here on your doorstep.  This touring exhibition showcases etchings by David Hockney based on six original Grimm fairy tales.  Hockney has chosen vivid images from each story to encapsulate a mood or a detail.  Some of the tales are familiar, like Rapunzel and Rumpelstilzchen but others, such as the Little Sea Hare, are less well known.  From magical fish to Gothic castles – the etchings invite the viewer to enter a world of make-believe, but with a quirky twist.  

Art Stroll

Time : 12 noon – 1pm

A chance to find out more about the current exhibition or one of the Museum’s collections in a guided gallery tour.  Each tour is followed by an opportunity to ask questions over tea and coffee.  These free, Tuesday lunchtime sessions are especially suitable for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Date                                        Event

22 September                       Behind the Mask

17 November                        Costume Accessories

19 January                            The Brothers Grimm

Friday Fun!

Time : 10.30am-11.30am

Drop-in art, craft and story-telling sessions for 2-5 year olds with an accompanying adult.  Sessions begin and end with a story centred on a Museum object.  Then spend as long as you like exploring the Museum and making something to take away.  There’s no need to book for this free event.

Date                            Event

25 September           School Days

16 October                 Magical Masks

13 November            Hedgehogs

18 December            Christmas Present

15 January                Fairy Tales

Holiday Happenings

Times : 10.30am-12.30pm or 2-4pm

Don’t be bored during the school holidays!  Come along to our famous, free drop-in art and craft activities for all ages.  No booking is required, but children must be accompanied at all times.

27-30 October – Masks!

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Talk Series : The Wells and the Weald

Wednesdays  Time: 7.45pm

Join us for a series of illustrated talks about the history and natural history of the local area, given by experts in the field.  Places are free but should be booked in advance.

Date:  23 September

Subject:  Plight of the bumblebee – return of the native

Speaker:  Nikki Gammans

Date:  21 October

Subject: The Tunbridge Wells landscape in the age of the dinosaurs

Speaker:  Ed Jarzembowski

Date:  25 November

Subject:  Railways in south-west Kent – 160 years of history

Speaker:  John Arkell

Date:  3 February    

Subject:  A grave business – funeral costumes and customs in Victorian Tunbridge Wells.  A joint event with the Friends of Woodbury Park Cemetery.

Speaker:  June Bridgeman & Jo Wiltcher

Guided Walk : Tunbridge Wells Common – the story of an ancient landscape

Tuesday 29 September

2.30pm – 4pm

A leisurely look at the prehistoric rock outcrops, the plants and animals, and the human history that make this remarkable open space so special.  This short walk around the centre of the Common is ideal for those who are interested in history or natural history but find the hills in Tunbridge Wells a bit daunting.  Contact the Museum to book your place.

Box of Delights Art and Craft Open Day

Saturday 28^th November

10am – 2pm

Come along and meet a selection of your favourite Box of Delights artists and find out a bit more about their work and the inspiration behind it. There will be the opportunity to see artist demonstrations as well as the chance to browse the current exhibition in a relaxed and informal setting. As a special seasonal treat, all members of the Friends of Tunbridge Wells Museum and Library will receive 10% off all items purchased that day.

The Big Draw

Saturday 10 October

11am-4pm

A free family fun day to celebrate the Big Draw.  Experiment with drawing in different styles and using unusual materials.  Add to our giant mural and draw something special to take away.  With professional artists on hand to help and ideas in every corner, this is a day for everyone to get drawing.

Masked Ball

Friday 30 October

Look out for details of our Mask Making competition throughout the course of the ‘Behind the Mask’ exhibition.  Prizes for the best masks will be awarded at this special Masked Ball.  Visit www.tunbridgewellsmuseum.org for more information.

A Hundred Years of Royal Tunbridge Wells

Monday 26 October

2pm-4pm

A special Museum and Library event for all ages celebrating a hundred years of Tunbridge Wells.  Explore the story of the town in the Museum. Try your hand at writing with a quill and design a birthday card for the town.  Then, be inspired to create a poem to celebrate the anniversary.  A free drop in event for all ages.  Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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Christmas Crackers

Saturday 12 December

11am-4pm

Join us in our busy art and craft workshop to make something special for Christmas.  Cards, streamers, angels and baubles – make them for yourself or to give to a friend.  Free family fun throughout the day.

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