Why this summer will be a big (friendly) one at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden
You’ll find the Roald Dahl Museum nestled along the High Street in the picturesque village of Great Missenden. As you get closer you might spot the life-size BFG painted on the front of the building. Then you’ll step through the Wonka gates into the small, but perfectly formed Museum, packed with hands on things to do.
This summer the Museum is celebrating The BFG, one of Roald Dahl’s most popular books for children. It’s a book that has its roots firmly cemented in the village. Roald imagined the BFG walking down the High Street and one of the buildings opposite the Museum was the inspiration for Sophie’s orphanage in the book. For fans of the book this is the place to be.
The Museum makes for a brilliant day out in the summer holidays and this year’s BFG fun makes for an even bigger summer. The Museum’s expert storytellers will be sharing the best bits of the book and visitors can take on BFG-themed trails and drop-in crafts throughout the day, all included in the price of Museum entry.
Families can also join in with wondrous workshops. The Museum’s ever-popular clay workshops are a weekly event, with clay snozzcumbers running throughout the summer. There’s also an opportunity to create dream jars out of craft material or try out some science based on the book — which involves fizzy frobscottle! Budding actors can take part in The Big Friendly Play, where participants work together to tell the story of The BFG in just one minute. There’s also a visit from the Natural History Museum in Tring and guided walks that lead you through ‘Giant Country’ with extracts from the book along the way.
In short, this little gem has so much to offer. Beyond the BFG activities, the galleries explore how Roald Dahl was inspired to write his stories and characters. They offer lots of interactive activities designed for 5- to 12-year-olds — think dressing up and crafts. Highlights include Roald Dahl’s original Writing Hut (moved to the Museum in 2012), a giant chocolate bar and a movie maker. You can even measure yourself to see which Roald Dahl character you’re as tall as.
The three galleries are packed around a sheltered and sunny courtyard which offers space to take a break, eat a picnic or enjoy some food from the pop-up Canny Café. Plus, you can stretch your legs on the free self-guided village and countryside trails, perfect for a sunny summer.
Oh, and don’t miss a very special performance of Waterperry Opera Festival’s Revolting Rhymes, which will be in the Museum courtyard from 20-30 July.
