Bridge Chapel 600th Anniversary Programme
The Norris Museum is leading on a year long programme to celebrate the Chapel’s 600th anniversary with exhibitions, events, lecures and workshops.
To find out more, click here
Art Adventure Club: Summer Term 2026
A family art club aimed at 6-11 year olds and their adults!
Through the Microscope: From Tiny Worlds to Bold Abstractions
Session 1: Crystals & Hair – Hidden Patterns
Saturday 13th June, 2:00-3:30pm
In celebration of The Great Big Green Week 2026!
Explore crystals and hair under the microscope, capturing their colours and patterns through sketching.Transform your observations into bold, large-scale abstract paintings.
All proceeds from this session will be donated to The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs, and Northants
Session 2: Insects – Structure, Pattern & Colour
Saturday 27th June, 2:00-3:30pm
Discover intricate insect details under the microscope and paint studies in watercolour. Layer with oil pastels to create vibrant, textured artworks inspired by nature.
Tickets per session:
£12.00 for two at a table,
£16.50 for three at a table,
£20.00 for four at a table
Tickets numbers include adults (there must be at least one adult per table)
Booking essential https://tickettailor.com/events/norrismuseum/
The Time Travel Gallery Trail Summer Sticker Book!
The Time Travel Gallery Trail Summer Sticker Book!
Discover a different gallery trail each week from Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August – complete each week to earn a variety of stickers to fill your summer sticker book – free!
Saturday 18th to Friday 24th July: Moving Through Time! A Trains, Planes and Automobiles Quiz Trail
Saturday 25th to Friday 31st July: Building Through Time! A Historic Buildings Quiz Trail
Saturday 1st to Friday 7th August: Messages Through Time! A Communication Through History Trail
Saturday 8th to Friday 14th August: What Did the Tree See? The Life Cycle of an Oak Tree Trail
Saturday 15th to Monday 31st August: Playing Through Time! A Toys of the Past Quiz Trail
Time Travel Family Fun Day
Celebrate 600 years of Bridge Chapel with a day of family fun!
Tuesday 28th July, 10am to 3pm — Free drop-in!
Step back in time for a full day of family-friendly fun celebrating the 600th anniversary of Bridge Chapel. Meet wandering musicians and storytellers as they bring the past to life, explore a to-scale Lego recreation of this historic landmark – and add your own finishing touch! Watch skilled artisans demonstrate crafts from the 15th century and Tudor periods, complete family trails around the museum, and make your own dragon puppet.
Take to the water with reduced-price river trips from The Waits, run by the St Ives Electric Boat Company (tickets available from The Norris Museum on the day). Travel beneath the bridge and enjoy a unique view of the chapel from the river!
Medieval Music and Tudor dancing on the Waits bandstand at: 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm
Medieval Storytelling on the Waits bandstand at: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm
Arts Award Discover SEND
Wednesday 5th August, 1–3pm & Thursday 6th August, 10am–12pm
OR
Wednesday 19th August, 1–3pm & Thursday 20th August, 10am–12pm
We are excited to be running Arts Award Discover SEND across TWO fun and creative sessions at the Norris Museum! Across the sessions, participants will explore the museum gallery and collections while taking part in exciting hands-on creative activities. Participants will complete their own Arts Award logbook to take home and will receive their Arts Award Discover certificate approximately 4 weeks after the sessions.
Participants must attend BOTH sessions to achieve their Arts Award Discover certificate, so please make sure you are available for both dates when booking.
£15 per participant – includes the Arts Award certificate and all materials needed for both sessions
Attendees must be accompanied by an adult
Designed for ages 7–16 with SEND
Limited places – online booking essential
Marvellous Mosaics
Friday 7th August
2x Workshops – 10am to 11:30am & 1:30pm to 3pm
Design and create marvellous mosaic hanging decorations and coasters, with professional mosaic artist, Zena Brackenbury, by pressing real glass tesserae into air drying clay.
Aimed at children aged 5+ and their adults (also taking part!)
£18 for 2 at a table, £24 for 3, £28 for 4
(Tickets numbers include adults – there must be at least one adult per table)
Limited places – online booking essential
If Trees Could Talk
Family Fun Day at the Norris Museum, Holt Island, and the St Ives Methodist Church
Tuesday 11th August, 11am to 3pm — Free drop-in!
Join us for a day of crafts, trails, books, games, and family activities celebrating the wonderful world of trees. Meet the Wildlife Trust and find out about the wildlife living in our trees, discover the stories of ancient oaks, and explore the trees of Holt Island. Collect your free activity passport, earn a sticker at each venue, and earn a prize! Add your wish for the future to the museum’s wishing tree and enjoy refreshments at the Methodist Church.
Marvellous Mosaics: Moving On
Friday 21st August
2x Workshops – 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm
Develop your mosaic skills, with professional mosaic artist, Zena Brackenbury, by learning how to create more intricate designs for a clay bowl, made by you during the session.
Aimed at children aged 5+ and their adults (also taking part!)
£20 for 2 at a table, £27 for 3, £32 for 4
(Tickets numbers include adults – there must be at least one adult per table)
Limited places – online booking essential
The Three Little Pigs Move to St Ives
Tuesday 25th August – 10:30 to 11:30am
The three little pigs are moving to St Ives! Where will they choose to build their houses, will the wolf be able to blow them down? Join in with the story, told using the museum’s wonderful St Ives Story Mat. Make a set of tube pigs and a wolf to continue the play at home. Enjoy a range of other hands-on animal themed activities.
£7.50 for 1x child, £14 for 2x children, £19.50 for 3x children
1 accompanying adult to every 3 children required
Aimed at children aged 3+ but everyone is welcome
Limited places – online booking essential
Arts Award Discover in a Day
Wednesday 26th August – 10:00am – 2:30 / 3:00pm
Join us for Arts Award Discover in a Day workshop at the Norris Museum – a day of creativity where participants will explore the gallery and its collection while taking part in exciting hands-on activities. Throughout the day, participants will complete their own logbook to take home, and will receive an Arts Award Discover certificate around 4 weeks after the session.
£15 per participant – includes the Arts Award certificate and all materials needed for both sessions
Attendees must be accompanied by an adult
Designed for ages 7–12
Please bring a packed lunch (there will be a lunch break)
Limited places – online booking essential
Reminiscence at The Norris Museum
A support group for those who live with dementia and their carers who enjoy reminiscing, sharing stories and handling objects from the past to stimulate memories and conversations.
When: – 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
Time: – 10.30 – 11.30am
Costs: – £2.50 to cover the costs of refreshments
For more information, please contact Susan Bate, Community Officer on Telephone: – 01480 497314 or email: – communities@norrismuseum.org.uk
Men's Group
A group where men can meet and socialise with like-minded people and take part in an activity!
Activities have included: – gardening, games, object handling, talks and making items.
When: – 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
Time: – 1.30 – 3pm
Costs: – £5 to cover the costs of refreshments and materials
For more information, please contact Susan Bate, Community Officer on Telephone: – 01480 497314 or email: – communities@norrismuseum.org.uk
Creative Cafe at The Norris Museum
The Creative Café is an informal drop-in session that is open to participants of all ages, and we particularly welcome those who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, or loneliness to feel more connected with their community. These sessions are run in partnership with Arts and Minds.
Refreshments and materials will be provided.
Time: 10:30-12:30
For more information, please contact Susan Bate, Community Officer on Telephone: – 01480 497314 or email: – communities@norrismuseum.org.uk