Exhibitions, talks, events & activities Norwich Castle

What’s
On Exhibitions, talks,

events & activities

Norwich Castle

2016 Winter and Spring

Plus events at Museum of Norwich and Strangers’ Hall

Illustrations © Cressida Cowell

6 February to 30 May 2016
Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

A Viking’s Guide to Deadly Dragons is a wonderful exhibition inspired by
Cressida Cowell’s best-selling children’s books How to Train Your Dragon,
created by Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books.

Be transported to a world where Vikings rule and dragons roam. Discover
Berk, the island home of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. Join
this unlikely hero on his adventures with his tribe of Hairy Hooligans and
Toothless, his hunting dragon.

See the author’s notebooks, get up close to her original illustrations and
listen to filmed interviews. Enjoy creative play, dress as a Viking, visit the
Hooligan village and wild dragon cave.

Whether you are already a fan of How to Train Your Dragon or encountering
Hiccup and Toothless for the first time, you will find A Viking’s Guide to
Deadly Dragons a delightful and inspirational exhibition.

www.sevenstories.org.uk

Where it all began... ©Hodder Children’s Books: photographer Debra Hurford Brown

Cressida grew up in London but each year her family spent holidays on a
small, uninhabited Scottish island. Her father built a stone house there and in
the evenings would tell tales of the Vikings who had invaded the island and of
the dragons who, according to legend, lived in the caves along the cliffs.

Cressida thought it possible that dragons might live in that wild, stormy place
and by the age of nine she began to draw and write stories about Vikings and
dragons. As an adult she developed this theme into the immensely popular
series How to Train Your Dragon published by Hodder.

“I am incredibly excited and honoured that the
How to Train Your Dragon books are the subject of
an exhibition. I hope that a whole new generation
of children will be as fascinated by dragons and
Vikings as I was when I was a child.”

Cressida Cowell

Adults Tuesday Lunchtime Talks

12.30 to 1pm, illustrated talks in the Town Close Auditorium.
Free with museum admission (including Pop in for £2 tickets). Booking not required.

Tuesday 19 April
Dragons in world art and mythology
Francesca Vanke, Keeper of Art & Curator of Decorative Art,
Norfolk Museums Service

Tuesday 26 April
The history of the dragon in Norwich
Frank Meeres, local historian and author

Tuesday 10 May
In search of the real Vikings
Tim Pestell, Curator of Archaeology,
Norfolk Museums Service

Tuesday 17 May
The natural history of dragons
David Waterhouse, Curator of Natural
History, Norfolk Museums Service.

Tuesday 24 May
Dragons and other fearsome
creatures in modern children’s books
Marilyn Brocklehurst, librarian and
owner of Norfolk Children’s Book Centre

4

Exhibition Events Adults and All Ages

Activities free with museum admission unless otherwise stated.

Writing for children
Wednesday 2 March, 10.30am to 1pm
Join Antoinette Moses, UEA Lecturer in Creative Writing, for a workshop in
which she will share tips and hints for adults writing for children.
Adult £5, Conc £4. Booking essential 01603 495897 or 01603 493625

How to paint your dragon
Saturday 5 March, 11am
Meet artists who painted last
summer’s GoGoDragons – including
Norfolk’s renowned teenage artist
Kieron Williamson.

How to clean your dragon St George and the Norwich dragon
Tuesday 5 April, 10am to 12 noon Saturday 23 April, 11am to 3.30pm
and 1.30 to 3.30pm Celebrate this special day with Snap,
See our conservation team cleaning the Lord Mayor’s very own dragon
Snap, our very own dragon and and his whifflers, plus the Rumburgh
discover how museums care for morris dancers and local stories.
precious objects.

Star object

This gilt copper-alloy dragon was found
by a metal detectorist in Lyng, Norfolk.
It is made in the Viking ‘Ringerike’ style.
The Vikings settled in East Anglia in the
880s and introduced Scandinavian art styles.
This lovely brooch is on display in the
Anglo Saxon & Viking Gallery.

5

Collecting in East AngliaVisual Arts
Timothy Gurney Gallery
An exhibition of art acquired by Norwich Castle over the last five years.  Claughton Pellew, Mother and Child,
The show includes modern ceramics, paintings by Edward Seago and Alfred © The Artist’s Estate
Sisley (gifted through the Art Fund) and a major work by Frank Auerbach,
formerly in the collection of Lucian Freud.

Seeing the Light (until March 6)
Colman Watercolour Gallery
A wonderful selection of recently ‘rediscovered’
works by John Sell Cotman, Thomas Gainsborough
and Rembrandt.

‘to watch the corn grow, and the blossoms
set’: the art of Claughton Pellew

From 26 March
Colman Project Space
Claughton Pellew (1890-1966) was a
gifted painter and wood engraver, trained
at the Slade School of Art. Rediscover his
exquisite drawings and prints, inspired by
the harmony of country life, on the 50th
anniversary of his death.

E.T. Daniell, Figures at Corfu, Greece, 1840 (detail). From Norfolk to Nubia:
© Norfolk Museums Servicem(Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery) the watercolours of E.T. Daniell

6 From 26 March
Colman Watercolour Gallery
Works by Edward Thomas Daniell
(1804-1842), priest, artist and
antiquarian who spent three years
travelling across Europe and the
Middle East producing vibrant
watercolours.

Talking Textiles Adults

A series of illustrated talks at the Norwich Castle Study Centre (the Shirehall)

which present an opportunity to hear about and get up close to the inspirational

costume and textile collection. All talks 11am to 12.30pm. Adults £8, Conc £7.50
Museums Pass/CTA £7. Booking essential, 01603 495897 or 493625.

Think pink! The great big cover-up
Thursday 28 January Thursday 17 March
A look at the changing meanings and In this brief history of the protective
associations of the colour pink – from garment we look at aprons, smocks,
18th century Rococo gowns, to the overalls, pinafores and dungarees. From
height of the Victorian craze for occupational and domestic use, to leisure
synthetic dyes. and ceremonial, you’ll see ingenious
designs and fascinating patterns.

Getting attached From field to fork
Thursday 18 February Thursday 28 April
From brooches and buttons to Velcro Dig in to a wide selection of clothing
and zips, we consider the history and accessories, used on the land and
of clothing closures. Plus a chance in the kitchen, to bring food to the
to see the newly repacked button tables of rich and poor.
collection – a project carried out by
local members of the Decorative and
Fine Arts Society.

Castle Art Club
Wednesdays 20 January, 17 February, 16 March,
20 April, 11am to 12.30pm
Taking inspiration from the Castle’s stunning collections,

these monthly art classes inspire beginner and improving

artists to explore drawing and painting techniques in a

small, friendly group. Materials provided or bring your own.

Adult £6.50, Conc £6, Museums Pass £5.50. Booking
recommended 01603 495897 or 493625

7

School HolidaysFebruary Half-term Activities

Illustrations © Cressida CowellActivities free with museum admission unless otherwise stated.

Dragons’ Den!
Dragon themed activities throughout the holidays

Saturday 13 and Monday 15 to Saturday 20 February,
10.30am to 3.30pm
Dragonesque delights to get you roaring into half term. Make your own
dragon wings and Viking helmets. Try the ‘Fabulous Beasts’ trail and see if
you can speak Dragonese. Get a glittery dragon tattoo and see some real
‘dragons’ in the museum collections. Programme changes daily.

How to Train your Dragon – Film Screening
Saturday 13 February, 2pm
A hapless young Viking, who aspires to hunt
dragons, becomes the unlikely friend of a
young dragon himself and learns there may be
more to the creatures than he first assumed…
2010 DreamWorks animation, Cert PG,
98 minutes, Town Close Auditorium.

The making of a monster
Saturday 20 February,
10am to 4pm
Help artist Kate Munro breathe life
into our very own Castle dragon -
community art on a great ‘scale’.
Plus: make dragon mobiles, crowns
and earn your dragon’s wings.

8

Flying dragons with the RSPB School Holidays
Monday 15 February, 10am to 4pm
Get flighty with the RSPB as we explore the dragonfly family.

Hiccup the Viking
Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17, and Thursday 18 February;
1, 2 and 3pm; 20 minutes
Watch the drama unfurl as actor Neil Paris
brings Hiccup Horrendous Haddock to life in a fun
performance based on Cressida Cowell’s How To Train
Your Dragon story.

Glitter dragon tattoos
Tuesday 16 February, 10am to 4pm
Choose your twinkling tattoo from designs including Chinese
dragons, baby dragons and dragonflies.

The natural history of dragons
Tuesday 16 and Thursday 18 February, 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30 to 3.30pm
Join David Waterhouse, Curator for Natural History and hear about the real ‘dragons’
which the mythical creatures were based upon.

Chinese dragon dance workshop
Friday 19 February, 11am, 12 noon, 1, 2pm; 25 minutes
Learn the art of the dragon dance with dancer Lorraine Theobald and join in as we
explore Eastern dragon legends.

ST ART Club NEW

Beginning Saturday 20 February, 10am to 12.30pm
Norwich Castle’s brand new art club for 8 – 12 year olds is led by artist
Ali Atkins and kicks off with a six week course, ST*ART Drawing. ST*ART
aims to develop children’s confidence and creativity through activities
inspired by the castle’s art galleries. £45 for the six week course.

Only children living within a 20 mile radius of Norwich are eligible.
Contact [email protected]
01603 493636

9

Saturday Specials

Free with museum admission unless otherwise stated.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend
Saturday 30 January 10am to 4pm and Sunday 31 January 1 to 4pm
Explore the spectacular Bird Gallery, find out about the birds in your back garden
and take part in lots of wildlife themed activities including bird box making, wildlife
hints and hands-on crafts.
Museum admission £2. Children free. Additional charge for some activities
All Ages
Archaeology Day - Viking Norfolk Film stars – Norwich Castle reads
© Seven StoriesSaturday 27 FebruaryCressida Cowell
10.30am to 4pm Saturday 19 March 10am to 4pm
Discover life in Viking Come and be part of a film reading
Norfolk: try metal
detecting, strike your Cressida Cowell and get a web link to
own coin, get up close
to real Viking objects. share with family and friends. Advance

booking advisable: 01603 495897.

How to paint your dragon
Saturday 5 March, 10.30am to 4pm
Join artist Kate Munro with dragon
arts in the Castle Keep. Make your own
dragon crowns and look out for some
surprises from UEA drama students.

Science Saturday UEA Drama students present…
Saturday 12 March, 10am to 4pm Dragon Dramatics
Join Dr Ken in his bid to save the Saturday 16 April, 1 and 2pm
planet and let Mini Professors wow A dragon-y drama inspired by Cressida
your under 5s with their wonderful Cowell’s stories. Plus special Hiccup
the Viking workshop at 11am.
weather workshops. Learn
about climate change
and discover more about
endangered species.

10

Illustrations © Cressida CowellEaster Holiday Activities

School HolidaysAll activities free with museum admission; programme changes daily.

Striking Vikings – Easter at Norwich Castle
Friday 25 March to Saturday 9 April
10.30am to 3.30pm
Learn about ‘nalebinging’ knitting and other
weaving ways, crack the runic code and make
a long boat for our flotilla of invading Viking vessels.
See a daily screening of Viking Adventures and
Vikings Live – two exciting short films from the
British Museum about Viking life and culture.

Flying dragons with the RSPB
Tuesday 29 March, 10am to 4pm
Join the experts to explore the fascinating world
of dragonflies and their neighbours.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Celebrates Spring
Thursday 31 March, 10am to 4pm
Identify some of the dragon-like species which
can be found in our
natural world.

Thunderous Thor
Wednesday 30 March and Thursday 7 April, 11am and 1pm
Listen to our storyteller’s amusing tale of the mighty Thor reclaiming Mjollnir,
his magic hammer, from his arch-enemies.

Toddlers’ Special: Snapdragons at Norwich Castle
Fridays 8 January, 12 February, 11 March and 13 May
10.15 to 11.15am and 12 noon to 1pm
Meet ‘Snap’ the dragon puppet and enjoy fun
activity sessions for 2 - 4 year olds with an
adult; inspiring imagination and conversation
through stories, trails, museum objects and
hands-on crafts.
£3.50 per child, accompanying adult free.
Booking essential, 01603 493636

11

Adults and All Ages Guided Tours at Norwich Castle

There are guided tours most days of the year. For times and prices ask at the ticket
desk or call 01603 495897 or 493625 for details and advance booking.

Dungeon tour Shirehall courtroom tour
Hear the horrid history of crime and Wednesdays 10 February, 16 March,
punishment. See a ducking stool, 13 and 27 April, 2pm
scold’s bridle and iron gibbet, and Let us guide you down the spiral
listen to real-life stories of prisoners. staircase, through the prisoners’ tunnel
and into the 19th century courtroom
to hear stories of historic trials and the
fate of Victorian villains.

Fighting gallery tour NEW Norwich Castle keep
Experience the mysterious space of the Monday to Friday term time at
fighting gallery. See fascinating views, 1.30pm
medieval graffiti and stonemasons’ Norwich Castle’s beautiful and historic
marks whilst listening to tales of the Norman keep was designed as a Royal
castle’s embattled past. Palace – find out all about it on this
fascinating tour.
Battlements experience
We guide you up the Norman staircase Plans are being developed to
to see amazing panoramic views of transform the visitor experience
Norwich and listen to the history of of Norwich Castle’s Norman keep.
this fine city. Visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
and sign up for our e-newsletter to
find out how the project progresses.

12

Museum of Norwich Adults and All Ages

Free with museum admission unless otherwise stated.

Valentine’s Eve Thursday Afternoon Talks
Saturday 13 February 1.30 to 3pm
Make a secret gift or Free with museum admission
card and look out
for mischievous A fitting memorial
Jack Valentine. 28 January
Norwich’s Memorial Cottages,
February half term: designed by a WWI officer.
Cecil’s Great War
Tuesday 16 February to One man’s war
Saturday 20 February 25 February
Find out how writing and drawing Cecil Upcher’s, WWI letters and
kept many men sane in the drawings.
trenches. Make your own medal
and on Tuesday and Thursday, meet Numismatist Adrian Marsden
a costumed character based on talks about tokens:
WWI officer, Cecil Upcher.
24 March
Token traders Trading in tokens
Tuesday 22 March to
Saturday 2 July 28 April
An exhibition of tokens made by Tales behind the tokens
17th century Norwich traders at a
time of acute shortage of 26 May
small change. Norfolk’s corporation tokens

Easter Holidays: Undercroft tours
An Easter I-spy trail Saturdays 30 Jan, 27 Feb,
Friday 25 March to 26 March, 30 April and 28 May
Saturday 9 April 11am, 1 and 3pm.
How many tiny things Explore one of the largest
can you spy? Plus: undercrofts in Norwich.
family fun with
shopping and money
on Wednesday 6 April.

13

Adults and Families Strangers’ Hall

All activities are free with museum admission unless otherwise stated.

February Half Term

Toy room trail
Wednesday 17 and Sunday 21 February
Explore favourite toys, games and models
from the past.

Marvellous models Easter Holidays
Wednesday 17 February
10am to 3.30pm Spring into Easter with our
See Norwich Model Railway Club’s green-fingered team.
fascinating working locomotive
layouts which appeal to enthusiasts Strangers’ Secret Garden
of all ages. Don’t miss Grandad’s Wednesday 30 March and
favourite! Plus: make a model to take Wednesday 6 April
home with Norfolk Adult Education 11am and 2pm
Family Learning. An informal tour around the
flowers and herbs in this historic
Sunday 21 February 1-4pm hidden city garden, with a
Try out our mini biplane and learn how chance to purchase plants to
to fly! Model your own paper plane grow-on at home.
and see if you can make it loop the Free with museum admission.
loop.

Coming Soon

Museums at Night 14 May, Half Term fun 28 May to 4 June,
exhibition The British Art Show 25 June to 4 September

14

Diary of Events and Activities, Spring 2016
Key:special events, family activities, talks, walks and storytelling, workshops/courses

NB All events are in Norwich Castle unless otherwise indicated. MoN - Museum of Norwich, SH – Strangers’ Hall

8 Jan, 12 Feb, 11 Mar, 13 May Toddlers’ Special: Snapdragons at Norwich Castle P11
20 Jan, 17 Feb, 16 Mar, 20 Apr Castle Art Club Workshop for Adults P7
28 Jan, 18 Feb, 17 Mar, 28 Apr Talking Textiles P7
28 Jan, 25 Feb, 24 Mar,
28 Apr, 26 May Thursday Talk (MoN) P13
30 - 31 Jan
30 Jan, 27 Feb, 26 Mar, R SPB Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend P10
30 Apr, 28 May
10 Feb, 16 Mar 13 & 27 Apr Undercroft Tour (MoN) P13
13 & 15 - 20 Feb
13 Feb Shirehall Courtroom Tour P12
13 & 20 Feb
13 Feb Dragons’ Den! P8
15 Feb
16 - 18 Feb H ow to Train Your Dragon P8
16 Feb
16 & 18 Feb The Making of a Monster P8
16 - 20 Feb
17 & 21 Feb Valentine’s Eve (MoN) P13
17 & 21 Feb
19 Feb Flying Dragons with the RSPB P9
20 Feb
27 Feb Hiccup the Viking P9
2 Mar
5 Mar Glitter Dragon Tattoos P9
12 Mar
19 Mar The Natural History of Dragons P9
25 Mar - 9 Apr
25 Mar - 9 Apr Cecil’s Great War (MoN) P13
29 Mar
30 Mar Toy Room Trail (SH) P14
30 Mar
31 Mar Marvellous Models (SH) P14
5 Apr C hinese Dragon Dance Workshop P9
6 Apr F irst of ST*ART Club Six week course P9
7 Apr A rchaeology Day - Viking Norfolk P10
16 Apr
19 & 26 Apr, 10, 17 & 24 May Writing for Children P5
23 Apr
H ow to Paint Your Dragon P5/10

Science Saturday P10

Film Stars – Norwich Castle reads Cressida Cowell P10

Striking Vikings - Easter at Norwich Castle P11

An Easter I-Spy Trail (MoN) P13

Flying Dragons with the RSPB P11

Thunderous Thor P11

Strangers’ Secret Garden (SH) P14

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Celebrates Spring P11

How to Clean Your Dragon P5

Strangers’ Secret Garden (SH) P14

Thunderous Thor P11

UEA Drama Students Present… Dragon Dramatics P10

Tuesday Talks P4

St George and the Norwich Dragon P5

Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery
Castle Hill, Norwich, NR1 3JU

Open Keep in touch
Monday to Saturday [email protected]
10am to 4.30pm; Sunday 1 to 4.30pm @norwichcastle @castle_art
facebook.com/NorwichCastleMuseum
Admission
Adult £8.35, Concession* £7.50, Sign up for the museums e-newsletter at
Child (4-18) £6.25, Family (1 adult + all www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
children) £17.50, Family (2 adults + all
children) £23.50. Travel and parking
Museums Pass and under 4s free Walking Ten minutes from bus
and train stations.
*Visitors with disabilities, unwaged, over 65s, in full Parking Castle Mall Car Park 1,
time education. Visitors with disabilities may bring Market Avenue, NR1 3JQ.
one companion in free. Prices subject to change. Park and Ride 0344 800 8020 or
www.norfolk.gov.uk/parkandride
Pop in for £2 Traveline 0871 200 2233
One-hour tickets available every day,
one hour before closing and between Access
12 noon & 1pm Monday to Friday, Norwich Castle offers very good access
during school terms. for people with disabilities. For our
Access Guide or for information and help
Museum Shop and Café free entry visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk or call
01603 493625.
Contact
24hr info line 01603 493648
Enquiries & info 01603 493625

Bookings 01603 495897 If you would like this leaflet
Events & activities 01603 493636 in large print, please call
Groups & schools 01603 493625.

Norfolk Museums Service is a partnership between Norfolk County Council and Norfolk’s District Councils, funded through council tax, earned income and grants.