Exhibiting art in all its forms, you will be invited to view a large selection of original artworks. 

The museum will be a celebration of the natural world; incredible feats of evolutionary adaptation that we have come to understand and untold mysteries still to discover. 

You will see this in the art and its attempt to mirror, educate or directly form relationships with the natural world in which we live.

We are keen to share our wide selection of skulls, many of which originated from the studies of Jonathan Kingdon, author and illustrator of the world renowned Kingdon field guides. Including Mammals of Africa, he's possibly best known for his magnum opus, East African Mammals, an atlas of evolution in Africa which is celebrated as a ‘Leonardo like exploration of science with an artist’s eye’.

Bridging both art and science, his works spans from extraordinary draftsmanship, sculpture and painting to the inventive writing of scientific books. He is a writer of zoology, anthropology and biogeography and used many of the items in our collection as study aids for these monumental works.

As well as academically furthering his studies on the wildlife of Africa, the bones and the animals that once owned them also led to some of the vibrant and informative artworks that will also be on show.

Exhibitions will celebrate the magnificent colours and patterns of the natural world, and how artists draw inspiration from it. How creatures great and small use these to their advantage. The ways in which optical effects are elaborated by fish, birds or monkeys; find out how these have evolved to be so effective, and how the animals themselves make it happen.

As well as a significant array of skulls from across the globe, we also have fascinating wet specimens, skin studies, coral skeletons and crab exoskeletons. 

Some of nature's most fantastic colours and pattern come from the smallest creatures. 

Our bug collection will dazzle and amaze, as you explore the science behind how they do it, and how we try to copy it.

We love collecting shells on the beach, but how much do we really know about the creatures that make them? Technology often draws inspiration from nature; the 3D printer learnt much of its magic from the humble sea snail.

The power of curiosity; Even as adults we shouldn't underestimate its importance. Curiosity means we actively want to know more about something, we want to engage - we want to learn. Historically, the curio cabinet came from the desire to possess elements of the natural or largely unknown world, which would astound, shock and delight. Whether the items were real or faked,  the passion of the collector was integral.

As experts in metal, we love rocks. Our collection of ores and crystals stems from this interest. Can humankind ever make anything as awe inspiring?

Every colour of the rainbow, delicate and strange, the chemical combinations, reactions and atmospheric pressures that occur to make these wonders are all the more magnificent for the uses that we find for them, once uncovered.

The Founders Collection has an eclectic mix of cultural artefacts, from 2nd Century AD glassware to present day. Discover how man has used products from the natural world, and been inspired by nature itself in acts of invention, creation, and theatre. 

Our collection of rare and first edition Art and Science books are a powerful learning tool. Our library will be available for study, drawing, or to simply enjoy the broad range of literature available

'In the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.' Charles Darwin

Nature is full of clever inventions, beautiful simplicity and mind-blowing power, but how did it come to be? And how will it continue to adapt.

We are planning for an education and study room, which will be a place where visitors can view items from the collection, draw, write or contemplate. 

 

The Museum is still in an early evolutionary state, but expect to find:
drawing classes • evening experiences • family education • creative workshops • discovery trails • changing exhibitions • local involvement • school activities • cafe