Dorset, often known as the “Jewel of the South,” is a picturesque part of England widely recognised for its stunning landscapes, impressive coastline, and bursting history. Aside from its beautiful beaches and verdant countryside, Dorset is home to an array of fascinating museums that serve as a treasure trove of inspiring stories from ancient and modern history, making it a perfect destination for school visits. Let’s delve into some of these intriguing museums that offer intriguing tales to ignite the curiosity of young minds.
The first stop on your educational exploration should be the Bovington Tank Museum. Tucked away in the heart of Dorset, this museum boasts the world’s most extensive collection of tanks and armoured vehicles. Schools visiting this unique museum can take advantage of an educational programme that aligns with the national curriculum. Workshops are designed to suit various age groups and cover a range of topics including the First and Second World War, design and technology, and even maths.
Next on the list is the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. Housed in a splendid Victorian villa with panoramic views of the sea, this museum captivates students with its diverse collection of art and artefacts from around the world. Moreover, the museum offers a comprehensive learning programme tailored for school visits with engaging activities and workshops based on art, history, and drama.
The fascinating Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester is another must-visit museum. It is a breathtakingly accurate and detailed recreation of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and treasures as they were at the moment of discovery. The exhibition provides an enthralling experience for students, complemented by an educational programme that provides a deep dive into ancient Egyptian history and culture.
For captivating insights into local history, consider taking your students to the Dorset County Museum. The museum showcases Dorset’s rich history from the Jurassic Coast’s fossils to Thomas Hardy’s recreated study. School visits are catered for with a wide array of resources and workshops covering various topics. These range from examining Jurassic fossils to understanding local industries over time, ensuring an absorbing visit.
The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester offers a fantastic interactive and immersive experience for students. Renowned as Britain’s Original Dinosaur Museum, it is home to a range of amazing life-size dinosaur reconstructions, skeletons, and fossils. The museum provides a wide variety of educational experiences, allowing students to touch, discover, and explore the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
Finally, situated on the dramatic Jurassic Coast World dorset school trips Heritage Site is the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. It is not strictly a museum, but an informative and friendly facility where students can learn about the geology, fossils, and marine life of the area. The centre even offers guided fossil hunting walks, providing an exciting, hands-on experience for students.
Dorset’s intriguing museums offer an educationally enriching experience to visiting school groups, coupling unique collections with engaging educational programmes. A visit to these museums is not only a captivating journey into the layers of history, art, and science, but also a wonderful opportunity for students to complement their theoretical knowledge with tangible experiences. Whether it’s a deep-dive into the exciting world of tanks, an enlightening lookout on art, history and drama, a historical journey to the ancient Egyptian times, a local historical exploration, an adventure into the world of dinosaurs, or a hands-on experience of fossil hunting, Dorset has all these and much more to offer.