French Révolution Season
In 2006, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was voted the second greatest Briton of all time, just after Winston Churchill. But did you know that Marc Brunel, his father and architect of the Thames Tunnel, was French? Forced to flee during the French Revolution which began in 1789, Marc Brunel made his name in the UK. In fact, …
French Révolution Season Film Screenings
Join us for a cinematic journey through the turbulent years of the French Revolution
Dangerous Liaisons (1988) – French Révolution Season Film Screening
Join us for the first of four specially chosen French Revolution films
Marie Antoinette (2006) – French Révolution Season Film Screening
In this second film of our French Révolution Film Screenings, a young woman becomes Queen of France – but things are changing fast. Join us for a special screening of Sofia Coppola’s 2006 cinematic biography of Marie Antoinette, with a fast-paced retro soundtrack and sumptuous clothing. Doors open 18:30, screening starts 19:00.
Napoleon (2023) – French Révolution Season Film Screening
In the third of our four specially-chosen French Revolution themed film screenings, discover Ridley Scott’s epic biography of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Les Misérables (2012) – French Révolution Season Film Screening
In the last of our four film screenings for the 2025 French Révolution season, discover the story of another French Revolution, in the 1830s. Based on the much-loved musical, this all-star film has everyone’s favourite songs; moving beyond the elites who are the focus of the other films in our Révolution series screenings, Les Misérables looks at …
October Half-Term Fan-Making Workshop – French Révolution Season
As part of our French Révolution Season, try your hand at some fun craft activities during October half-term! Fan-Making Inspired by Mary Horsley’s beautiful hand-painted fan on display in the gallery for the very first time, families are invited to design their own hand-held fan. This activity will take place daily throughout half-term (Saturday 25 …
Happy birthday, Sophia Kingdom!
To celebrate 250 years since the birth of Sophia Kingdom, mother of arguably the most famous civil engineer in Britain, anyone called Sophie or Sophia can enjoy free entry to the Museum on 15 February 2026. Come see the portrait of Sophia, currently on loan to the Museum from a private collection as part of …
February Half-Term: Fan Making Workshop
Inspired by Mary Horsley’s painted fan on display in the gallery as part of our French Révolution display, make your own fan to take away! Get creative and be inspired by the paintings on the fan; then make your own from sustainable materials to take away and keep cool. This is a drop-in activity, included …
Upcycling Flower Making Workshop
Join us for a free family workshop inspired by the beauty of our French Revolution display. Using newspapers and recycled materials, families can create colourful upcycled flowers while learning about the decorative arts and creativity of the period. This is also the last opportunity to see the French Revolution display, so come and celebrate it with a …