Special Exhibition

Elmer and Friends

13 October 2021 - 9 January 2022

The Colourful World of David McKee

An exhibition from Seven Stories: The National Centre for Children’s Books.

13 October 2021 to 9 January 2022

Elmer the Elephant

For the first time ever, families from across the region will be able to step into David McKee’s colourful world in this characteristically playful Seven Stories exhibition as it celebrates over 30 years of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.

First stop will be Elmer’s world, where visitors will be greeted by a giant Elmer jigsaw and enjoy the ultimate Instagram moment. The adventure continues as guests walk through Elmer’s jungle, encountering characters and stories along the way.

As well as illustrations from the Elmer series there will be original artwork from Not Now Bernard, Mr Benn and King Rollo as well as the opportunity to dress up in fancy dress from the costume shop featured in Mr Benn.

Visitors will be able to explore David McKee’s vibrant illustrations in great depth through the use of many multi-sensory elements including colour, texture and sound plus visualise McKee’s use of perspective through an interactive mirrored walkway.

Copyright David McKee, 2021. Licensed by Andersen Press Ltd.

  • Opening hours:

    Daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
    Sunday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
    Bank Holidays: 10.00am - 4.00pm

  • Admissions:

    10% discount for Adult and Young Person Unlimited Ticket booked online using discount code DM01

    BOOK ONLINE SAVE 10%
  • Dorset Museum

    High West Street
    Dorchester DT1 1XA

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Exhibition Information

Location: Special Exhibitions

Museum Map

This exhibition is included as a part of your entrance timed ticket.


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Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, works with children’s books to create meaningful experiences for children and young people, in order to fire their imagination and creativity and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world.

Visit website

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Family Activities

Elmer on Tour

Elmer will be travelling around Dorset, visiting Libraries on the way. Join in the fun with activities and storytelling at each location.

Inspired by the illustrations in the Elmer books, Elmer the elephant has been decorated by pupils from Wyke Regis Infant School with the help of artist Caroline Parrott and the Dorset Museum.

  • Dorchester Library:  Tuesday 12th October until Thursday 28th October
  • Weymouth Library:  Saturday 30th October until Thursday 18th November
  • Portland Library:  Saturday 20th November – Thursday 9th December
  • Gillingham Library:  Saturday 11th December – Tuesday 28th December
  • Bridport Library:  Thursday 30th December – Saturday 8th January.

Schools

Available from 13th October 2021 until 9th January 2022

Early Years and Key Stage 1 pupils take part in our immersive and interactive workshops inspired by the works of David McKee. Themes of compassion, sharing, inclusivity are all explored during these fun workshops. Based in the Elmer and Friends: The Colourful World of David McKee Special Exhibition and our John White’s Learning Centre at Dorset Museum children will have fun exploring and discovering Elmer’s colourful world!

How To Book

For booking your visit and lunch space or an unguided visit.

Call: 01305 262735

Contact us

Elmer and Friends Workshops

We’re Good To Go

 

We have gained the Visit England ‘We’re Good To Go’ kitemark confirming we’re following national COVID 19 guidelines for managing visits to our site.

✔ Face masks must still be worn to keep you, our staff and our volunteers safe unless you are exempt!

✔ You must still check-in via the Track and Trace app.

✔ Sanitisation stations will still be in place and we encourage you to use them.

✔ Social distancing will remain.

✔ Regular cleaning of our interactive exhibits will still take place.

This guidance will stay in place until further notice.

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Special Display

4 August – 29 December 2023

The Askerswell Hoard

Discover a rare Roman coin hoard recently acquired by Dorset Museum, and find out about the work going on to preserve, research and catalogue it, in this special showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.

Find out more

Community Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Awakened by Frink

Awakened by Frink is a community exhibition of artwork by members of the Deaf community created during a series of workshops at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery.

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Special Exhibition

2 December 2023 - 21 April 2024

Elisabeth Frink: A View from Within

Experience the inner world of famous sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930-1993) in a major new exhibition exploring her artistic and personal life in Dorset. Showcasing over 80  sculptures, drawings and prints, this exhibition will explore her artistic process, personal life, and the influences that shaped her work.

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Family Activity

10 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

Find out more

Storytelling

14 December 2023, 10:00am- 10:30am

Storytime at the Museum

Come and join us for Storytime in our Community Space at the Museum. Hear fabulous tales about dinosaurs and animals.

Find out more

Lecture

14 December 2023, 7:00pm - 8:30pm

What’s new in the British and Irish Neolithic? | Dr Alison Sheridan

While the past doesn’t change, our knowledge and understanding of it are being transformed by new discoveries and new research – and this is especially the case with the Neolithic period, the time of the first farming communities from the late 5th millennium to around 2500 BCE. This lecture offers some highlights from the past decade or so.

Find out more

Family Activity

17 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

Find out more

Tours

20 December 2023, 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Collections Discovery Centre Tour

Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in the Museum’s Collections Discovery Centre.

Find out more

Family Activity

21 December 2023, 11:30am - 12:30pm | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Elf Workshop

The Elves need your help in the workshop. Join them and lend a hand! You're invited to embark on a magical journey filled with Christmas crafts, fun activities, and the chance to learn all the secrets of the elves

Find out more