The Roald Dahl museum
An interesting museum, which would be interesting for Roald Dahl book fans, especially children, is the Roald Dahl museum, situated in Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. Situated in the village where Roald Dahl lived and wrote for 36 years, the Museum was created as a home for the author’s unique archive (which one can see on our regular tours) and to inspire a love of stories and creative writing in all visitors.
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre opened in June 2005 in Great Missenden, the village that was Roald Dahl’s home for 35 years and the inspiration for many of his stories, and to date has welcomed over 135,000 visitors through its chocolate doors. The Museum has two fun and fact-packed biograhical galleries where visitors can find out about the events that shaped Roald Dahl as a writer and a fantabulous Story Centre, full of interactive activities to spark creativity in young and old alike.
From the shadowy figure of the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) visible on the High Street wall outside, to the crocodile cunningly disguised as a bench, the whole building takes Dahl’s much-loved characters and stories as its theme. Working with Hawkins\Brown Architects, gallery designers Bremner & Orr succeeded in transforming an old coaching inn and yard into a series of galleries that immerse visitors, especially young people, in the subversive world of Roald Dahl, with the intention of sparking imaginations and enthusiasm for word play, stories and creative writing.
The Boy and Solo galleries tell the story of Dahl’s life and work through film, objects and lively interactive displays. Roald Dahl (who was a resident of Great Missenden for 36 years until his death in 1990) was determined that all his papers - manuscripts, photographs, his ‘Ideas Book’, correspondence (including his earliest letters home to his mother from boarding school) - should stay together. The Museum facilitates unprecedented access to this priceless material via touch-screen monitors in the galleries and through the on-line archive on the Museum’s website.
The Story Centre gallery houses a replica of Dahl’s famous Writing Hut including the author’s chair (which visitors may sit in) and his table, complete with some of his prized possessions. The Hut stands in an orchard of giant Quentin Blake illustrations, where interactive games and bookcases can be discovered amongst the trees. Some of the most popular activities include making your own stop-frame animation film and recording your dreams in a dream bottle. The Story Centre also features audio and visual displays focusing on other leading contemporary authors such as Benjamin Zephaniah, Philip Pullman, J K Rowling and Jacqueline Wilson.
Location
The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre
81-83 High Street
Great Missenden
Buckinghamshire
HP16 0AL
United Kingdom
Getting There
By car:
Great Missenden is situated off the A413. There is a pay-and-display car park in the village. Weekend visitors may also use the station car park.
By train:
Great Missenden is only 40 minutes direct from London Marylebone.The Museum is a short walk from the station.
Opening Hours
The Museum, Shop and Cafe Twit are open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday, Bank Holiday Mondays and Buckinghamshire half term Mondays.