LearningCenters, London

Based at Braywick Nature Centre, the Royal Borough's Countryside Service promotes awareness of the natural environment through our programme of events, walks and talks, and providing education sessions and advice to schools and other groups. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/things-to-do/braywick-nature-centre-p281691

Britain’s very first museum of Huguenot history has opened its doors to the public. Following a £1.5 million development project, Rochester’s museum tells the dramatic story of the Huguenots, their persecution in France, escape to Britain and the trades, crafts and skills they brought with them that has since contributed to the formation of modern Britain. Alongside beautiful new galleries displaying objects never seen by the public before, the museum also has a vibrant and engaging learning space. Here visitors will be able to further their learning either through a craft workshop, talk, lecture, film screening or cross-curricular schools session. https://www.visitmedway.org/attractions/huguenot-museum-2165/

You will find something for all the family in Kent's only Designated museum. Exhibits of national and international importance are housed in the Museum's galleries, which tell the story of how the Royal Engineers have helped the British Army live, move and fight since the time of William the Conqueror. See the diverse collection with highlights including Wellington's map from Waterloo, Zulu War weapons, a Harrier Jump Jet, 25 Victoria Crosses and an enormous V2 Rocket. Discover why a large section of the Berlin Wall now lives in the Museum and how one soldier gained the respect of the Chinese emperor. There really is something for everyone at this unique museum. https://www.visitmedway.org/attractions/royal-engineers-museum-library-archive-2454/

Since its opening in 1846, Cambridge University Botanic Garden (CUBG) has been an inspiration for gardeners, an exciting introduction to the natural world for families and an oasis for all its visitors. Supporting leading scientific research and welcoming 300,000 visitors a year, CUBG is one of the largest University-owned botanic gardens in the world. The Garden’s living plant collection of over 8,000 species is spread across 40 acres of landscaped gardens. The collection, which includes iconic, threatened and endangered trees and plants, supports University research which focusses on meeting many of the world’s greatest future challenges (such as food security, climate change and medicine). The Garden also inspires schools, the local community and visitors from around the world about the importance of plants and plant science, horticulture and the joy of gardening. http://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/Botanic/Page.aspx?p=27&ix=2702&pid=2&prcid=36&ppid=0

The Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences is the oldest of the University of Cambridge museums, having been established in 1728 as the Woodwardian Museum. Since then the collection has grown from about 10,000 fossils, minerals and rocks, to at least 2 million. A walk through the museum will take you on a 4.5 billion year journey through time, from the meteoritic building blocks of planets, to the thousands of fossils of animals and plants that illustrate the evolution of life in the oceans, on land and in the air. Also a major teaching and research resource in the Department of Earth Sciences, the Sedgwick Museum collections are a national treasure. http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org/

A Museum displaying the University's natural history specimens including some remarkable Paleontological Collections. The museum is also the home to the last seen Dodo bird in existence. Today, all that remains from rot are its beak and its feet. The Museum was also the sight of the 1860s evolution debate between Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, which famously critiqued the publication of Charles Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species'. http://www.oxfordcityguide.com/frmInfoDetail.aspx?aId=227

Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic and the sea through three interactive exhibitions: Southampton's Titanic Story, Gateway to the World and the new Southampton Stories exhibition in the Pavilion. The SeaCity Cafe has a wide range of fresh locally sources food available https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/business-directory/seacity-museum

The rich history of Sacrewell’s multi-award winning Grade II* listed, 18th century watermill goes back, as far as we know, to 1086 and the Domesday Book, although the lie of the land suggests the Romans were using water power at Sacrewell hundreds of years earlier – perhaps even from the sacred well that gives Sacrewell its name. https://www.sacrewell.org.uk/about/watermill-and-heritage/

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery, Leicester's original museum, has wide ranging collections and displays spanning the natural and cultural world. A family friendly day out, the galleries include Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Wild Space, The Den gallery for the under 5s, the Victorian art gallery, Arts & Crafts gallery and a modern and contemporary art gallery. The first floor galleries include World Arts, Picasso Ceramics: The Attenborough Collection and Leicester's internationally renowned collection of German Expressionism. The museum welcomes a vast array of temporary exhibitions, featuring works from the collections, touring exhibitions from national museums and a programme of contemporary art and craft displays. https://www.visitleicester.info/see-and-do/new-walk-museum-and-art-gallery-p700961

The award-winning National Space Centre is an out of this world experience for the whole family! With six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, world unique 3D SIM ride and iconic 42m high Rocket Tower, there really is something for everybody to enjoy. The rocket tower is pretty impressive for people of all ages, as it towers 42m into the air and its semi-transparent “pillow” design can be seen as you approach the Centre from any direction! It is home two rockets: Blue Streak and Thor Able, as well as a Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock. Each year the National Space Centre hosts many special weekends which in the past have included celebrations of Star Wars, LEGO and Daleks. School holiday periods are always exciting, as the Centre adds plenty of workshops and talks into the mix, so advanced booking is advised. A visit to The National Space Centre wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Cargo Bay Shop to pick up a souvenir as a memento of your journey to outer space. The shop boasts a full range of fun and interactive space toys, books, games and telescopes. https://www.visitleicester.info/see-and-do/national-space-centre-p696391

Cadbury World is a self-guided exhibition tour. Find out how popular Cadbury brands are made, including Creme Egg, Buttons and Roses. What makes Cadbury chocolate so deliciously wonderful? Here's where you'll find out how Cadbury World do it. Discover how it's made and hold on tight, you could be in for a few surprises! Learn about the most important ingredients of milk chocolate... and the way Cadbury combines them to create that unique Cadbury taste. Also practice your chocolate piping skills at Cadbury World new demonstration tables. Doodle your name in chocolate & try your hand at traditional chocolate tempering. The Have A Go zone is not to be missed! https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/en

Visit the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham and get closer than ever before to over 2000 creatures including the UK's only 360 degree Ocean Tunnel. Which sea creatures do you love the most? Magnificent Sharks, colourful Clownfish or perhaps inquisitive Sea Turtles? Does a clever Common Octopus grab your attention or do you prefer playful penguins? Maybe you simply can’t decide! Here at SEA LIFE you can make up your mind and see them all - from the curious and the rescued to the rare and the enigmatic. And you’ll be able to get closer to them than ever before. https://www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/

Come and visit the ‘Jewel’ in the crown of the Jurassic Coast, The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life situated in the village of Kimmeridge, Dorset Housing the finest single collection of Late Jurassic age fossils all found by just one man, Dr Steve Etches MBE - you will be mesmerised by sea monsters, prehistoric predators and the marine flora and fauna of 152-157 million years ago when Kimmeridge was but a shallow, tropical sea, during the great age of the Dinosaurs. All of the fossils in the collection were found by Steve in the Kimmeridge Bay locality, from the world-famous oil-rich Kimmeridge Clay, within 2 miles of where the Museum is located. Learn about their Stories from Deep Time interpreted with state of the art CGI imagery of Jurassic marine life swimming above the amazing fossils in the museum gallery. https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/the-etches-collection-museum-of-jurassic-marine-life-p2629493

Discover over 400 species of exotic and endangered animals from across the globe at Bristol Zoo Gardens, all set within award-winning gardens spanning over 12 acres. Journey into an amazing animal kingdom and meet famous faces as well as some unusual creatures you never knew existed! Meet your favourite creatures face to face with spectacular immersive experiences. Marvel at a 32-stone gorilla strolling overhead in a glass-floored gorilla house, the only one of its kind in Europe. Crawl through a tunnel to pop up among a cheeky meerkat mob. Journey underwater to watch seals and penguins zoom around you. Enter the leafy home of the lemurs in a walk-through (peak season only), or meet a flock of colourful lorikeets. Big and little adventurers alike can climb, clamber and swing through the air in a thrilling aerial ropes course, ZooRopia. Travel through the treetops alongside the gibbons and gorillas, tackling 17 gravity-defying challenges before flying down the zip wire to finish. Kids also love Splash, a water play area with winding streams, dams and the chance to get toes wet. Run wild in a adventure playground, or head to the Activity Centre for face-painting* and crafts galore from 11am to 4.30pm every day. https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/bristol-zoo-gardens-p24341

Award-winning corner of the West Midlands is now one of the finest and largest open-air museums in the United Kingdom. After very humble beginnings, a bright idea and 40 years of inspiration, this is twenty six acres worth exploring. Amazing as it may seem, we have created a ‘place’ – a real and lively place, where once there was nothing and nobody. With a village and charismatic residents to chat with. Hear the stories of the people who lived and worked in the Black Country from our friendly Historic Characters. They'll explain what it was really like to be alive at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Visit a fairground - fancy a bit of old-fashioned fun? Why not visit our fairground with original rides dating back to 1910? Have a go on the Brooklyn Cakewalk, test your skills on the 'hook a duck' or hit the right spot with a throw on the the coconut shy. Have a ride on a vintage bus. Museum maintains a selection of vintage vehicles for you to ride throughout the year. Why not hop on the longest trolleybus route in the country? Play some old school street games. Head on down to the cobbled street and try your hand at some classic street games including the 'hoop and stick' and the 'cup and ball' . And also Explore over 40 period shops, houses and industrial areas. Since 1978 we've been recreating buildings from around the Black Country, sometimes moving them here brick-by-brick. Grab and a map and get exploring! https://www.bclm.co.uk/

Since Wollaton Hall opened to the public in 1926, it has been home to the city’s natural history museum. On display are some of the best items from the three-quarters of a million specimens that make up its zoology, geology, and botany collections. Natural Connections Gallery explores the relationship between the natural world and ourselves. One of the central themes in the gallery is extinction, and a number of extinct and near-extinct species are on display. These include a passenger pigeon and a flightless parrot from New Zealand – the kakapo. Recent additions to the gallery include the extraordinary duck-billed platypus, a giant anteater and a rare maned sloth. Other popular exhibits include an orangutan skeleton, a hippo skull and a Humboldt penguin, together with many other mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, insects, and fossils. Mineral Gallery showcases some of the 5,000 specimens that make up the rock and mineral collection. It includes some the original Nottingham Naturalists’ Society collection and fine displays of classic minerals from the North of England (early 20th century) and Cornwall and Devon (19th century). You can also get up close to some giant ammonites – fossilised coiled shells of ancient squid-like sea creatures. https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/natural-history-museum-at-wollaton-hall-p684441

April 3rd 1995 - On this day the Amandine entered Oostende harbour for the last time. On this day it dropped anchor for the very last time. The crew disembarked, swallowed hard and went home without looking back. The last page in Oostende's book on Iceland Fishing had been turned. Now, 13 years later, the Amandine has started her second career, a career as an interactive museum. It has taken two years of hard and concentrated work in the old shipyard 'Seghers' to restore the ship to its former glory. But today is the day. Today you can see the ship at the renovated Visserskaai in the heart of Oostende. https://www.visitoostende.be/en/museum-amandine

National Museum Cardiff is situated in the heart of Cardiff’s elegant civic centre and houses world-class art and natural history, including Wales’s national art, natural history and geology collections, as well as major touring and temporary exhibitions. If you want to stand and stare, there’s plenty to please your eye – from Impressionist paintings to gigantic dinosaurs. For exploring you can pick up a range of gallery trails to guide you around the Museum. With a busy programme of exhibitions and events, we have something to amaze everyone, whatever your interest – and admission is free! https://www.visitcardiff.com/highlights/national-museum/

This incredible 17ha site overlooks the Baie de Seine and has fabulous views of the sea and port. Go through the fort's main entrance and start your visit at the top exploring the four bastions each dedicated to the great botanist explorers and their discoveries. https://www.lehavretourisme.com/en/diffusio/le-havre/les-jardins-suspendus_TFOPCUNORM00FS000AL

Re-opened at the old Music Hall in April 2014, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery tells the stories that make Shropshire unique through its’ amazing galleries: Roman Gallery, Shropshire Gallery, Medieval, Tudor and Stuart Galleries and the Special Exhibition Gallery. Come and explore millions of years of history through over one thousand remarkable objects in the extraordinary set of building that house Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. From key Shropshire finds like the Roman tombstones and headstones and the Shropshire Mammoth to a fine geology and Tudor collection, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery intimately depicts local history using all senses. Since opening, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has established itself as the perfect family museum and holds events and activities throughout the week that are ideal for children. Children and their families can take part in great activities like Mini-Mammoths to following the trail of Maximo Mouse through the museum – there’s always something in this family Museum for children to have fun and learn. https://originalshrewsbury.co.uk/visit/shrewsbury-museum-art-gallery

Discover in the visitors centre the fascinating and tumultuous history of 2000 years Zwin region: the reclamation of the polders, the unique scale model of the port town of Sluis arround 1400, wars in the region, the emergence of the villages of Duinbergen and Het Zoute, the development of tourism. Children love Fonske and his wonderful stories. Fonske is the son of a fisherman and lives in the museum. He’s really good at telling visitors about life on board a fishing vessel or how to catch shrimp. A visit to Fonske’s attic is highly recommended. Make a fort with puzzle pieces or dive into his dress up trunk and step out as a bold pirate. In the old school building (1899) you can immerse yourself in the hard life of the fishermen and their families. Taste the particular people's culture. Take a seat on the school desks. https://www.myknokke-heist.be/en/museum-zwin-region-sincfala

The For Freedom Museum shows the bleak times of the Second World War in a dazzling, realistic way. No single inhabitant of the Zwin region and western Zeeland Flanders was spared hardship and repression between 1940 and 1944. This black period in our history forms the main theme of the museum. True-to-life dioramas (goggle-boxes) immerse you in the regional history from 10 May 1940 to 3 November 1944, the day that the thundering guns finally grew silent in the Zwin region. The museum houses three impressive collections. Patrick Tierssoone and Freddy Jones, two old school friends with a passion for history, make available their unique collections of original vehicles and uniforms. The Belgian Aviation History Association (Bahaat), a recognised association of aviation archaeologists, is the third partner with an imposing exhibition of excavated aircraft remains. https://www.myknokke-heist.be/en/freedom-museum

The Zwin Nature Park is an interactive nature experience park for the entire family. Discover the different elements! Check in at the entrance to the exhibition with your boarding card and ... fly alongside your Zwin migratory bird. Besides experiencing an exciting journey full of adventure and surprise, you will learn a great deal about the fascinating world of birds. Among other things you will find out how they fly accurately and how they prepare for their long migratory journey. And why every year thousands of birds land in the Zwin, plus lots more besides. You will never get closer to nature as you will do in the Zwin Nature Park. The park’s cabin trail will guide you through numerous exciting points or huts: A feeding hut from where you can admire the birds from a very short distance or the story hut, where our birds are ringed and several presentations are given. Fly alongside your Zwin migratory bird. Besides experiencing an exciting journey full of adventure and surprise, you will learn a great deal about the fascinating world of birds. Aslo be sure to make time go up to panorama tower. From here you have a wonderful vantage point to embrace the beauty of the Zwin Plain, the Zwin dunes and polders and even the sea! http://www.zwin.be/en/discover-park

After major renovation works, the "House with the Tower" in Amiens, where Jules Verne lived from 1882 to 1900, once again offers visitors space where the imaginary world and the daily life of the famous writer mix. This luxury 19th-century mansion house witnessed the success of the writer, who wrote most of his "Extraordinary Voyages" there. Both imposing and modest, on four levels and through over 700 objects in the Amiens Metropole collection, the house reveals the personality, sources of inspiration and memories of Jules Verne. From the conservatory to the attic, relive the adventures of his heroes: Michel Strogoff, Phileas Fogg, Captain Nemo, etc. http://www.visit-amiens.com/tourinsoft/details/en_patrimoineculturel/PCUPIC0800010614/PCU

A museum of the vegetable world. Created in 1736 in an old ‘Caen stone’ quarry as a university garden to provide plants for the schools of medecine and pharmacology. After the Revolution it became a Botanical Garden and public park. On an 8 acre site, there is a large and interesting plant collection including the region’s indigenous flora laid out systematically, a medicinal garden, and also rock garden and exotic greenhouse plants. In addition to these more scientific features, there are a landscaped park and children’s play areas. Officially recognised as a Botanical Garden of France and the Francophone Countries. The garden’s objectives are science, conservation and education. http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/pcu/botanical-garden-in-caen/caen/fiche-PCUNOR014FS00075-2.html

The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester is a place full of amazing objects and world-changing ideas. Visit the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station and the world’s first railway warehouse, built in 1830. Find out how our revolutionary railroad changed Manchester and the world forever. Be inspired by the wonder of science, enjoy live demonstrations of historic working machinery, take part in fun science shows and lots more. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/science-and-industry-museum-p85731

For those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Library for the first time, 'library' might not be the first word that comes to mind. This masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture looks more like a castle or cathedral. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/the-john-rylands-library-p85841

The Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour offers a behind the scenes look at the world’s most iconic stadium; Old Trafford https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/manchester-united-museum-and-tour-centre-p85721

People’s History Museum (PHM) is the national museum of democracy, telling the story of its development in Britain: past, present, and future. The museum provides opportunities for all people to learn about, be inspired by and get involved in ideas worth fighting for; ideas such as equality, social justice, co-operation, and a fair world for all. 2020 will mark the tenth birthday of PHM being in its home on the bank of the River Irwell in city-centre Manchester; a site that combines a restored historic building and magnificent contemporary extension. It is from this location, with two permanent galleries, a state of the art conservation studio, a changing exhibition gallery, archive and study centre and extensive learning and community spaces, that the national museum of democracy invites people to discover over 200 years of ideas worth fighting for. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/peoples-history-museum-p85701

IWM North is part of Imperial War Museums – the world’s leading museum of war. Its unique purpose-built exhibition space gives powerful voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people forced to live their lives in a world torn apart by conflict. Walkthrough a timeline of history from the First World War to the present day. Explore a vast collection of over 2,000 objects, each one with the power to move, surprise and inspire – from the First World War field gun that fired the opening British round on the Western Front, to the twisted rust-ridden steelwork retrieved from the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York. And immerse yourself in the award-winning 360-degree cinematic Big Picture Shows that bring a broad range of perspectives into poignant focus, reflecting not only on the immediate effects of war but also on what happens when the guns stop firing. This is a place where every object on display, every contemporary work of art and every special exhibition is designed to live long in the memory. This is IWM North. https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/iwm-north-p85551

The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea is the focal point for exhibitions, studies and events on Dylan Thomas. The Centre is home to a permanent exhibition, ‘Love the Words’, which opened on 27 October 2014, Dylan’s 100th birthday. The interactive displays tell the story of the work, life and cultural context of one of the twentieth century’s most significant writers, and the exhibition includes a learning space, activities for children, and a temporary exhibition area. The Dylan Thomas Centre also runs a learning, outreach, and events programme. Guided tours of the exhibition at the Dylan Thomas Centre can be arranged for groups of all ages. https://www.visitwales.com/product/518079

At the National Waterfront Museum take in the sights and sounds of more than 300 years of Welsh industry and innovation. Using cutting-edge interactive technology, the Museum puts you in charge of the experience putting the past right at your fingertips. Located on the quayside of Swansea Marina - originally the South Dock of 1859 - the Museum stands in the former commercial heart of one of Wales's foremost industrial towns. Copper sheets made in Swansea once sheathed the hulls of the Royal Navy - to this day the term copper-bottomed implies quality and reliability! 15 themed galleries each tell a different aspect of this crucial period in Welsh history using a mix of touch screen technology and real objects, enabling visitors to be in charge of tracing their own experience of the fascinating - and still evolving - story of industrial Wales. https://www.visitwales.com/product/968712

Just a 15-minute journey from Caen, there's a great way to find out what everyday life was like in Gallo-Roman times! A museum, two restored houses and an archaeological dig are all open to visitors. The modern museum with its interactive resources (tactile exhibits, activity booklets...) and archaeological sites, a good excuse for a walk outside, will delight young and old alike. Activities and exhibitions throughout the year. English is spoken. Texts and brochures in English, German and Italian. https://www.caenlamer-tourisme.fr/noesit/!/fiche/vieux-la-romaine-musee-et-sites-archeologiques-663/