A raft of museums are gearing up for reopening as the sector continues to welcome back the public to its venues. New opening hours, visitor routes and booking systems are among the changes that will visitors will experience when they return.
The British Library is moving to its next phase of reopening on 1 September as it allows visitors back into its exhibitions. This includes its free permanent gallery, Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library, which displays some of the world’s most significant books, maps and manuscripts. These include the Magna Carta and items related to Shakespeare, Florence Nightingale, The Beatles, Fay Godwin, Andrea Levy and many others. The British Library’s new temporary exhibition is Hebrew Manuscripts: Journeys of the Written Word. This explores the history, culture and traditions of Jewish people through the ages and from all corners of the world.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced reopening dates for 10 of its ticketed sites, starting with Dunblane Cathedral on 2 September followed by Aberdour Castle, Dryburgh Abbey and Craigmillar Castle on 4 September. Fort George, St Andrews Cathedral, St Andrews Castle and Dumbarton Castle will then reopen on 11 September, followed by Dirleton Castle and Jedburgh Abbey on 18 September. HES opened its three most popular sites – Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle – in early August. Blackness Castle, Huntly Castle and Melrose Abbey are among other sites that reopened in the past two weeks. HES is aiming to reopen 70% of its estate by mid-September.
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre is reopening on 10 September with a new-look visitor experience that will involve pre-booked guided visits for groups of up to 10 people from the same family or "bubble". This is designed to allow people to visit the museum in Great Missenden without sharing any spaces inside the building with another group. Each group will be accompanied by a guide. Ahead of every visit, the person booking the ticket will receive a phone call where they will be asked to share their favourite Dahl stories and characters. The information they give will be used to personalise their visit by projecting archive material onto screens. The new approach means the museum will only be able to welcome 15% of its usual number of people. As a result, the museum is asking visitors to support the museum by donating the price of extra tickets for as many “imaginary friends”’ as they can.
The People’s History Museum in Manchester will be back in business on 1 September when visitors will able to see images by photographer Jake Hardy, who attended the Black Lives Matter protests in the city during May and June. On 31 May Hardy took a series of 66 images, a large selection of which are now part of the museum’s contemporary collection and will be on display until the end of the year.
Royal Museums Greenwich is reopening the National Maritime Museum on 7 September. Visitors to the London venue will able to see the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2019 exhibition, which has been extended to 13 September. Entry to the National Maritime Museum will remain free. Time slots will have to be pre-booked to ensure social distancing can be maintained, and a one-way visitor route will be in place. In line with the government’s announcement on 31 July, face coverings must be worn inside the museum. Protective screens in the ticket hall and gift shop will be installed and sanitiser stations will be available throughout.
Woodhorn Museum in Northumberland is reopening its doors on 2 September and has been working with Unfolding Theatre to create a new experience for visitors. People will be welcomed by staff explaining the changes that have been made to ensure the museum is Covid-19 safe. Visitors will then join The Quest of Missing Questions, where they will be able to uncover the history of the largest pit village in the world, and see its stories brought back to life.
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden reopens its doors on 7 September. Tickets and timed entry slots must be booked in advance. A new sealed activity pack for children aged 4 to 11 will also be available to buy online for £7.50 to help kids get the most out of their time exploring the museum. This specially designed pack, which will be available to pick up on arrival, includes a craft kit and activity to complete during the visit as well as a take-home activity. Every Thursday in September and October the museum will close at 6pm and reopen 30 minutes later for adults who want meet with friends after a day of working from home.
Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery will reopen its doors on 10 September, with its postponed new exhibition Hogarth: London Voices, London Lives. Hogarth's painting series A Rake's Progress returns to Pitzhanger for the first time in 200 years for the exhibition. It will be shown alongside works by contemporary artists to offer a modern reading of London and its social challenges. New measures will be in place to ensure Pitzhanger is safe and welcoming, including reduced capacity, one-way routes and enhanced cleaning.
