Inspired by our year of all things fashion, experience the museums free drop-in activities in a quieter way before the museum is open to the public. The sessions run from 9am-10am, with last entry at 9.45am.

Limited to four accompanied children our Quiet Time sessions offer children, who would find the busy nature of our drop-in sessions uncomfortable, an opportunity to enjoy our activities in a relaxed way.

These sessions are free, with booking essential. Please book a space for each accompanied child attending.

Please note, activities on Tuesday and Thursday will be the same each week.

Activity details:

Week 1: Setting the Style, Tuesday 29 July & Thursday 31 July

Why do we wear what we wear? From simple and practical to colourful and detailed, explore our exhibition and discover how clothes have developed and created a range of styles that are part of our identity. Then create your own designs to mix and match for a paper person.

Week 2: Fibre to Fabric, Tuesday 5 August & Thursday 7 August

Whether natural or synthetic, most fabrics start life as long, thin threads. But how is the process of spinning and weaving these into fabric linked to the development of Chippenham? Join us to discover the cloth-making history of the town and have a go at making your own simple woven work.

Week 3: Shapes and Colour Palettes, Tuesday 12 August & Thursday 14 August

From cool blues to vivid pink, polka dots to stripes, colour and pattern plays an important role in fashion. Join us as we explore the expression of power and meaning in colour and pattern, then blend ideas to create our own pattern colour wheel.

Week 4: Function to Fashion, Tuesday 19 August & Thursday 21 August

From simple straps to decorative shoulder accessories, epaulettes show how something functional can display rank and authority and become part of high fashion. Join us to explore how status can be expressed in our clothing and have a go at making your own epaulettes.

Week 5: Finishing Touches, Tuesday 26 August & Thursday 28 August

Whether belts, bows, badges or buckles, adding accessories to an outfit gives that finishing touch and makes its unique to the wearer. Join us as we explore a range of accessories and make your own plaited belt and paper buckle to finish off your look.

Autism Friendly Quiet Time: Summer Holidays