Barton Christmas Festival

We are preparing for the Barton Christmas Festival on Saturday 24 November and our Dickensian Christmas (from 29 November) so the Wilderspin Infants Schoolroom will be getting a seasonal facelift which will change its historical authenticity!  If you were planning to visit Samuel Wilderspin’s Model Infant Schoolroom we would advise you to visit another time – it will be back to “normal” from Thursday 20 December.

But come along also to our Victorian Christmas Fair on 24 November between 11am and 4pm featuring an indoor Christmas Market, seasonal refreshments in the Old School Canteen and Barton’s only truly Victorian Father Christmas in his Gallery Grotto!

The School in Action

We have local schools visiting and getting a taste of Victorian school life, on Thursday and Friday this week which visitors might like to watch in the Wilderspin Infant Schoolroom and the Victorian Classroom.

Victorian Classroom in session

We’ll be hosting a visit from a local today so visitors can watch the Victorian Classroom in action in the morning, and the Wilderspin Schoolroom in the afternoon.

The Barton Bunker

Over a thousand visitors experienced our first public opening of the Second World War air raid shelter on Fleetgate last year.

In partnership with The Options Group at Applegate House the shelter will be open during Heritage Open Days 2019:

Saturday 14 September, open to view 12pm -3pm – no need to book

Sunday 15 September, guided tours on the hour and half hour, 1pm – 3pm – booking required

Wednesday 18 September, open to view, 1.30pm – 4.30pm – no need to book

Sunday 21 September, guided tours on the hour and half hour, 1pm – 3pm – booking required

Saturday 22, open to view, 12pm -3pm – no need to book

Admission is free but donations will be used for restoration of the shelter and its interpretation.

Telephone 01652 635172 to book for the guided tours on 15 and 21 September.

Supper with a Slice of Murder

Join the South Bank Players for supper at the manor and see if you can work out who dunnit! in our interactive Murder Mystery Evening raising funds in aid of Aaron’s Battle.

What Lies Beneath

A brief history of ladies’ unmentionables. Discover how the Victorian silhouette was achieved, try on a corset and bloomers and quiz our costume team to find out what really went on under those crinolines.11am – 2pm in the Joseph Wright Hall

Free

Christmas with Steptoe & Son

Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to 26 Oil Drum Lane to catch up with the nation’s favourite rag-and-bone-men and indulge in some classic, festive misadventures!

Albert and Harold – united by blood, divided over everything else – seem doomed to spend Christmas in each other’s company. But Harold has his flights of fancy… including a flight he fancies abroad or to throw the biggest Christmas party London’s ever had to offer!  Albert, of course, has other ideas… Who wouldn’t want to spend Christmas as Mrs. Clifford’s B&B in Bognor Regis anyway??

Tickets are £8 in advance or £10 otd but don’t take the chance and end up disappointed – book your seats now on 01652 635172!

Sewing

Exhibition and demonstrations by members of the Wilderspin Art Group in the Wilderspin Playground Garden.

10am -4pm

Heritage Festival – Welcome to Barton

Reflective stories of newcomers to the town – what was it that brought people to live here? What were their first impressions – and lasting memories? An exhibition created by the Civic Society. Joseph Wright Hall (DN18 5QP)

Saturday 8: 10am-4pm

Sunday 9: 10am-4pm

Thursday 13:  10am-12pm (closed in the afternoon)

Friday 14: 12pm – 4pm (closed in the morning)

Saturday 15: 10am -4pm

Sunday 16: 10am-4pm

Barton Bike Night

Barton comes alive with motorcycles, trade stands, vintage bikes and live bands.  For more information: bartonbikenight.com.

The Museum and Old School Canteen coffee shop are open (from 10am) until 9pm and we offer secure helmet storage and refreshments until 9pm also.

Bike Night : 2pm – 9pm