The Cambridge Herbarium holds around 1.1 million plant specimens, representing over 300 years of botanical history. This includes the collections of famous natural scientists such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, but also those of other key botanists that may be less familiar.
In this talk, come and learn about the history of some of the wonders hidden away in the Herbarium. Whether that be plants which are now extinct in the wild, Victorian teaching resources or gorgeous botanical illustrations, there are a wealth of plant-related treasures to explore.
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.
This event is aimed at children aged 7-12.
Tickets are £15 per participant.
Participants must be accompanied by an adult. Limited places – online booking essential.
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.
Session 1. Wednesday 19th August, 1–3pm
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.
Session 1. Wednesday 5th August, 1–3pm
The upcoming Polar Panoramas exhibition at the Polar Museum features the art of John Kelly, an artist who has undertaken extensive fieldwork in the polar regions. Combining drawing, painting, photomontage and audiovisual work with observation and historical research, Polar Panoramas offers a compelling comparison between the Arctic and Antarctic as places of both human endeavour and environmental encounter.
Explore a remarkable range of scientific instruments used to make sense of the world, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Discover objects from astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing and calculation, including sundials, mathematical instruments, early electrical apparatus—and even a microscope once owned by Charles Darwin.
Plus, enjoy hands-on activities in the newly refurbished Learning Gallery, perfect for little ones — or prebook a Whipple Highlights guided tour. Afterwards, take home a treat from the Whipple gift shop to remember your visit.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
Book your free tickets here!
