26/07/2016 - Permalink

Spend a day at the seaside this summer – in Shrewsbury!

Related topics: Leisure, culture and heritage

seaside ice cream

Families are being invited to spend a day at the seaside this summer – without leaving Shropshire.

A coconut shy and hoopla stall are just two of the attractions on offer at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery as part of the ‘Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside’ exhibition, which runs until Monday 29 August.

The exhibition aims to capture all the fun and excitement of a traditional Edwardian seaside holiday,when people dressed up rather than down when visiting the coast.

Other activities and attractions on offer for all the family include:

  • Digging for shells in the sand with a bucket and spade.
  • Challenging your friends to a fishing competition with bamboo rods.
  • Dressing up as an Edwardian and taking a selfie.
  • Transforming into an Edwardian lady by poking your head through the hole of humorous cut out board (see picture below).
  • Watching an Edwardian movie of old Folkestone.
  • Making a jelly fish in the family craft area.

Other highlights include the replica bathing machine built at Acton Scott Historic Working Farm (pictured below), a selection of railway posters evoking the time when packed trains left Shrewsbury heading for the Welsh coast and a unique collection of Edwardian holiday snaps.

27674529496_29983c44d7_z (1)

The story of the British seaside is explored from the heyday of the Victorian and Edwardian eras to the period of post-war decline as car ownership grew and many people took to the air, bound for the reliable sunshine of Spanish Costas.

The song “I do like to be beside the seaside” was first recorded in 1909 by the famous music hall singer of the day, Mark Sheridan. The huge success of the song at the time was due to the ever growing numbers of British seaside holiday makers.

Stuart West, Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“This fantastic exhibition recreates all the fun and excitement of a family trip to the seaside in Edwardian times. It’s not very often that you can visit the seaside without leaving Shropshire, but now is your chance to do just that!”

seaside view

Admission prices to all galleries including special exhibitions are: adult £4.50, child (5-17) £2, student £3.60, person of state pension age £4, family (1 adult + 3 children) £7, family (2 adults + 3 children) £10.

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 4pm, with last admission at 3pm.

For more information visit www.shrewsburymuseum.org or call 01743 258885.