MAY HALF-TERM: BOW STREET POLICE MUSEUM CELEBRATES 1ST BIRTHDAY
Join Curator, Jen Kavanagh for a behind-the-scenes look at how Bow Street Police Museum was developed.
Discover the link between theatre and crime in a brand-new guided tour of Covent Garden in collaboration with The Royal Opera House.
Find out more about the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the law, from 18th Century to present day, with our ‘Of Mollies and Men’ tour.
Families are invited to explore our object handling collection and take part in activities that test their investigation skills.
Visit on the 28th May and enjoy a slice of Birthday cake created by the Executive Chef of Nomad London Hotel.
This May Half-Term, visit Bow Street Police Museum as we celebrate one year since the doors to one of London’s most famous police stations reopened. To help mark this momentous occasion we have a jam-packed schedule of events exploring the history of law and order in Covent Garden. The programme begins on the evening of Thursday 26th May with Curator, Jen Kavanagh, who will be sharing some of the behind-the-scenes stories of how the partnerships and content included in the Museum all came together. The talk includes a Q&A, and will be held at the Museum and streamed online.
For anyone visiting on Saturday 28th May a slice of Birthday cake will be on offer, baked by the Executive Chef of the NoMad London Hotel, and the first 30 visitors will receive an original Bow Street Police Museum art print.
Sunday 29th May sees the launch of our brand-new guided tour of Covent Garden in collaboration with The Royal Opera House. ‘Stages and Cells’ explores Covent Garden of the 17th-19th centuries, and delves into the relationship between theatre and crime. Discover scandalous theatrical characters, murderous players, corrupt Magistrates, and explore how the heart of London’s theatrical community impacted the way law and order was dispensed on London’s streets. Tours will take place on the last Sunday of every month, and tickets can be booked via The Royal Opera House website.
During the second half of the holiday, you will find us joining in the fun at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Party being held at the Actors Church (St Pauls, Covent Garden) on Friday 3rd June, 12pm – 6pm. Don’t miss your chance to meet with the team, chat to a former Bow Street police officer, as well as take part in activities designed to test the investigation skills of all budding young detectives. On Saturday 4th June there will be another opportunity to join our acclaimed ‘Of Mollies and Men’ guided tour. From the Molly Houses of the 18th Century, the arrest and trial of Oscar Wilde, to the laws protecting LGBTQ+ people today, this tour explores how law and order governed the lives of queer identifying people throughout history, sharing stories of the people who dared to be themselves.
Throughout the whole of May Half-Term, the Museum will operate normal opening hours, Friday – Sunday, 11am – 4.30pm. Families visiting the Museum can pick up an activity trail, take part in activities and get hands on with our object handling collection.
Tickets to visit the Museum, as well as attendance at any of our events, can be booked online via our website. We recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment.
Vicki Pipe, Museum Manager, Bow Street Police Museum, said, “In our first year of operations the Museum has welcomed almost 4,000 visitors. Every day we encounter former officers, court staff, as well as those who have experience of spending time detained within the cells that now form part of the Museum’s exhibitions. We have learnt a huge amount, but know we have so much more to discover about the life, times and alleged crimes of Covent Garden. Looking forward to the year ahead, the Museum plans to continue providing a platform for those stories often overlooked or marginalised. Our ambition is to become a place where discussions about the history of policing can help bring a greater and more balanced understanding to events of the past.”
Venue: Bow Street Police Museum, 28 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AW
Museum Admission: £6.00; Concessions: £4.50 / £3.00; Children under 12 and carers: free
Opening hours: Friday to Sunday, 11am – 4.30pm (last admission 4pm)