Roald Dahl fans can let their imaginations run wild

Roald Dahl fans in search of a phizz-wizzing time are spoilt for choice in Buckinghamshire.

The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery at the Buckinghamshire Country Museum in Aylesbury is particulary good for young children. 

Adults may spot a few areas in need of refreshment, but it’s hands on fun for young imaginations - crawl through Fantastic Mr Fox’s tunnel,; investigate mini-beasts inside James’s Giant Peach and try the Oompa Loompa`s secret door. 

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre on the High Street in Great Missenden is more suited to bigger smalls (6-years and above).

It’s a great place for arty, crafty imaginations with lots of opportunities to draw, colour, answer quiz questions and play with words. 

You also get to see inside Roald Dahl’s writing hut, sit on a chair just like his and look at all the memorabilia he collected.

Neither Dahl experience takes long. We stretched our time in Aylesbury by visiting the museum’s permanent collection (which includes a Roman room for children) and the `Splendid Stitches & Exotic Embroidery` exhibition which is on until 6^th July. 

At Great Missenden there’s a café in the courtyard, but who can resist the wonderful sweet shop across the road (www.aramintafizzackerly.co.uk) and the great gift shops in the High Street.

Dahl loved, and was inspired by, his home in the Chilterns.  For a sunny day Roald Dahl visited Gipsy House.  The garden is open on selected days as part of the National Garden’s Scheme. 

It’s a truly beautiful place where you can see Roald’s iconic writing hut in situ and explore Danny’s gypsy caravan. 

The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery

Church Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2QP

www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/museum 

Adults: £6, Children £4, under 3’s free

Check website for opening times which change term v holiday.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, HP16 0AL

www.roalddahlmuseum.org 

Adults: £6.60, Children £4.40, under 5’s free

Open: Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 5pm.  Closed most Mondays (check website)

On Sunday, 15th May (12.30 – 1.30pm and 2 to 3pm) there’s an artist in residence and the chance for 7+’s to get busy making collages of Dahl characters for an extra £2.50.

Gipsy House

Whitefield Lane, Great Missenden, HP16 0BP

A private home.  Garden only open on: 1^st May, 23^rd May, 19^th June and 18^th July 2013. 2pm – 5pm.

Visit www.ngs.org.uk for more information.