Dinosaurs, warriors and Sir Quentin Blake – and plenty more to enjoy

18 Mar 2024

From the work of one of Britain's best-loved illustrators, Sir Quentin Blake, to dinosaurs and more – there are exciting plans in store for Moyse’s Hall Museum.

This summer will see the museum, run by West Suffolk Council, showcase some of Quentin Blake's little-known artwork for hospitals.

His illustrations for Roald Dahl's books have delighted generations of children, but this exhibition will take visitors beyond the pages of books into worlds of fantasy and imagination - and demonstrate the therapeutic value of art.

Running alongside the exhibition, there will also be a Theatre in the Park performance on 9 August at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village of Sir Quentin Blake’s Angelica Sprocket’s Pockets - more details are available on the What's On West Suffolk website.

That giant of showcase will be followed by the ever-popular movie exhibition will make its return in the autumn – expect Star Wars, Sci-Fi, and more in abundance.

We’ve tried to keep it under wraps but its too colossal. We can’t promise to have Chris Pratt but Spring and Summer 2025 will see Jurassic Moyse’s as the dinosaurs take over the museum.

And if that’s not enough we also have a little bit of magic planned for Autumn/Winter 2025.

Visitors who buy a 12-month heritage ticket can get unlimited access to these and to West Stow Anglo Saxon Village which also has its own packed programme of events.

This Easter sees the launch of a new event -  Heroes Assemble offering young people aged 8 to 14 the chance to take part in a live action role play adventure. Only after they have overcome a series of challenges to gain skills as a warrior and hunter will they be ready to take down the evil troll brothers. More details are available on the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village website.

Alongside this hundreds of volunteers including school pupils have been taking part in workshop days to help build an Iron Age roundhouse. The BFER lottery funded project is designed to enhance knowledge of site and the Iron Age while it has also funded work to promote and improve the River Lark as a natural habitat.

Meanwhile Dragon Fest – the biggest event of the year at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village returns on 22 and 23 June - see the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village website for more details. And the orcs will be back for RingQuest next February half term.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council said: “Arts, culture, leisure, history and heritage are all important to West Suffolk and our communities. We are continuing to invest in them with an exciting programme of exhibitions and activities for the benefit and enjoyment of our West Suffolk communities, helping them thrive while also attracting visitors to the area as well.”

Heritage tickets giving one year’s unlimited access to both Moyse’s and West Stow Anglo Saxon Village can be bought from either site, for just £14 while a family ticket is available for £42. Visit the Moyse's Hall Museum admission prices webpage.

Moyse’s Hall is currently running an exhibition featuring the work of internationally acclaimed illustrator David Hughes. More than 600 Suffolk and Cambridge University students are booked to visit the exhibition which runs to Sunday 12 May. Tickets are available at the Moyse's Hall Museum website or by calling 01284 758000.  Tickets can also be purchased on entry.

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