May Half-Term Activities
Enjoy a May half-term jam-packed with exciting family-friendly activities at The Harris. Join us for crafting miniature landscapes, sketch and stroll, and an exciting exhibition opening where you can meet the artist Martin Brown! There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings
Saturday, 23 May 2026 – Monday, 31 August 2026 | Gallery One
A dazzling display of cartoons and art by best-selling children’s book illustrator Martin Brown. Visitors journey through Brown’s artistic world, tracing his career from his early humorous cartoons to global publishing successes. Original art from Horrible Histories, illustrations from Lesser Spotted Animals, and exclusive content from his latest books, including Nell and the Cave Bear, bring Brown’s imagination vividly to life.
Drop-in, no booking required.
The World of Martin Brown Exhibition Opening – Meet the Artist
Saturday, 23 May 2026 | 1pm – 3pm | The Studio
Encounter the art behind the Horrible Histories books this summer by stepping into ‘The World of Martin Brown’. To celebrate the exhibition opening, meet the artist, get your books signed, and sketch-along to his interactive talk to learn how Martin brings stories to life through his dazzling drawings.
Booking required, £3.
Horrid Harris Crafts
Monday, 25 May | 10am – 11.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm | The Studio
Inspired by the brilliantly gruesome Horrible Histories books… Step back in time and build your own mini Harris! Design rooms filled with crafty creations inspired by objects from our history collection. Will your world feature the Vicious Vikings, Groovy Greeks, Awesome Egyptians, or Rotten Romans?
Booking required, £2
Baby Bounce and Rhyme
Every Wednesday | 10.30am & 2.30pm | Family Library
Sharing songs and rhymes is a fun way for babies and toddlers to develop their language skills! This week’s book will be ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen.
Drop-in, no booking required.
The Harris: Sketch and Stroll
Wednesday, 27 May | 10am – 11am, 1pm – 2pm & 3pm – 4pm | The Harris
Pencils at the ready! Get creative this May half term and join local illustrator Phoebe Foxtrot for a guided drawing tour of The Harris. Materials provided, or bring your own, just no messy inks, paints, or chalks/charcoals please!
Booking required, £3
Recycled Plastic Crafts
Thursday, 28 May | 1pm – 2pm & 2.30pm – 3.30pm | The Studio
Calling young recyclers! Join artist Nerissa Cargill Thompson to reuse soft plastic packaging and turn it into something creative. Explore colour, composition and texture to make collages and fuse them together using an iron.
Booking required, £3
Cave Bear Craft
Friday, 29 May | 10am – 11.30am & 1pm – 2.30pm | The Studio
Create your own miniature landscape and build a cave and model bear. Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you can design and assemble your very own mini landscape! Craft a detailed cave and a charming model bear to bring your tiny world to life.
Booking required, £2
LEGO Club
Every Saturday | The Studio | 9.30am – 11am
Calling all master builders! Bring the world of Horrible Histories to life – create your own castle, palace, dungeon, Rotten Roman Empire or Awesome Egyptian pyramid. Join the fun in The Studio and let your imagination run wild brick by brick.
Drop-in, Free – no booking required.
Storytime
Every Sunday | 2pm – 2.30pm | Family Library
Does your little one love hearing stories? Join us at The Harris every Sunday afternoon for a delightful reading of a new book! This week we will be reading ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’ by Judith Kerr.
Drop-in, Free, no booking required.
The World of Martin Brown Trail
Every Day | Gallery One
Experience The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings exhibition in an interactive way! Follow the trail map, discover fun facts, and share your own ideas along the way.
Drop-in, no booking required.
