Are you inspired by art and culture?
Combine a visit to an art gallery or a museum with a stroll along the Thames Path, enjoy a restaurant meal, and you have the ingredients for a wonderful day out on the River Thames. Here are some ideas to get you started:
The Stanley Spencer Gallery is hosting a new exhibition celebrating Spencer's love of the River Thames. The River Thames played an important part in Spencer's love affair with his native village of Cookham-on-Thames, and will feature in one of his most famous paintings ‘Swan Upping at Cookham', on loan from Tate Britain. Other works on loan will be ‘The Bridge'(Cookham 1920), ‘Turk's Boatyard, Cookham' (1931) ‘Dinner on the Hotel Lawn' (Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta Series 1956-7).
A stunning display of embroidery...with something for both art lovers and local history buffs, The Sunbury Embroidery Gallery can form part of a great day out. It houses a permanent display of the huge Sunbury Millennium Embroidery, which took over 140 people to make, and depicts local scenes of wildlife and sporting events. The gallery, which is just a short walk from the River in Sunbury-On-Thames, has a café and a lovely walled garden.
Sue Bailey completes her walk of the River Thames...you might have been lucky enough to see artist, Sue Bailey, painting the River Thames on her long charity walk to raise money for River Thames Boat Project. Alongside photographer friend, Pamela Burrell, Sue walked from Cricklade to London, a total of 184 miles. Her work is due to go on display shortly, and we hope to confirm the venue soon. Alternatively, visit her website.
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Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford, has something for the whole family...the Pitt Rivers museum, which attracts over two hundred thousand visitors a year, has just re-opened its doors following a £1.5m revamp. New displays include Salama, an East African sailing boat suspended dramatically from the rafters. There are eight new display cases featuring many previously unseen artefacts. And for younger family members, take a look at the museum's Pitt Stop (first Saturday of every month) and Drop in sessions (every Sunday), which offer a fun way to explore the museum's exciting collections. Your children can even make something to take home! Have you discovered this fascinating museum yet? Visit the museum's website for more information.
The Tudors Exhibition - Abindgon Musuem...running from 16 May - August 2009, The Tudors Exhibition has never been seen elsewhere. The exhibition provides an insight in to the exciting and rich period of both Abingdon and Tudor history from 1485 to 1603. See fascinating artefacts, which illuminate the complex history including exploration, religious changes, offspring and inheritance issues, stability and downfall, uproar and scandal. Visit Abingdon Museum for more information and other events.