This Summer Step into The Story Museum

When hubby and I first got together we took a walk around Oxford city together and coming across the Bridge of Sighs I mentioned to him about Oxford’s literary connection. I assumed he wouldn't be interested but he was keen to hear what I had to say.

Fast forward a few years and as you can tell from my monthly posts on the girls books that I am keen to instil in the girls a love of reading. So when The Story Museum in Oxford asked us whether we’d like to visit I instantly accepted. So during the heat wave we strolled into town with the girls in the pushchair and made our way to the museum which is tucked down Pembroke Street.

As we entered the court yard we were a tad confused as to where the ticket office was but were soon advised by a couple sat at a table that it was where the cafe was. It turned out that the courtyard isn't just home to the museum but an arts gallery and bike repair centre too. Once the tickets/wrist bands had been obtained we parked our pushchair in the designated area and made our way to the museum.

Spread over a number of floors each room is designated to a different exhibition and installation. We started at the top of the building where it was Time for Bed. Stories could be accessed via wooden lockers and an accompanying toy could be held. There were a few different sized beds that made hubby think of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and a lullaby room that had lulled a number of cuddly toys to sleep.

On another floor an exhibition called Animal: a safari through stories appeared before us. Hubby and the eldest enjoyed putting black and white tin cans in the Pied Piper of Hamelin installation. While the youngest took a liking to the fox from Aesop’s Fables and I was drawn in by a display dedicated to my favourite author Michael Morpurgo on The War Horse. Michael Morpurgo can also be seen being interviewed alongside other authors on television screens on the same floor.  I found this section a little dark especially when asked what my demon was!

Working our way down stairs we were confronted by the lovely Wonderland. I loved that the hats were hung from the ceiling and thought it would make for a good fancy dress session. I also liked the mirror which looked like it had come from a fun fair. Eldest loved mark making on the paper on the table and playing with the picnic set at her level in the corner.

Whenever we came across people around the site they’d insisted that we visit the Narnia installation. This was a lovely exhibition and we all got to step through the wardrobe just as the children did and meet the queen and see her sleigh. Sadly one of the coats hung up in the wardrobe came down making me wonder whether it should have been sewn in place. There were two schools in the building at the time we visited so I imagine the kids had a lot of fun running through the area.

Of all the installations I think my eldest was impressed with the Talking Throne the most. She ignored the fancy dress but kept climbing up onto the throne and letting it announce her.

There is so much to the Story Museum that it really does keep you captivated for ages and we loved that every part of the museum was built with children in mind. There are no vases on seats and there’s something for everyone no matter how old you are. Being on different levels we didn't feel it pushchair accessible but nothing beats a baby snuggle right?

So this summer why not step into The Story Museum and discover facts about our fictional world?