Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery needs your votes!

A Northumberland museum has been put forward for a national award for going the extra mile to welcome children, young people and families.

Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery has been nominated for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award 2024 after being regional and national winners in 2021. The prestigious award recognises museums, galleries and heritage sites that provide a great experience for children, young people and families. It is the only museum award to be judged by families.

Permanent displays in the museum feature innovative, interactive devices, like accordion keys and lifting desk lids to hear music and stories in local dialect. A mouse hunt, Detective quiz, artefacts to handle, hand-crafted, authentic dressing up clothes for all ages, and a crawl in a coal mine add to the fun. Backpacks containing support materials improve access for those with additional needs. Families say we get the balance just right; interesting facts to read, historical artefacts to view and a whole raft of experiences. Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery is now appealing for families to share their experiences of visiting the museum with Kids in Museums to support its application.

We also offer loans boxes free of charge to local schools, home schooling families and childminders.

Our trustees have said, “We would be honoured to win this award again and now need our visitors to vote for us. Bailiffgate is very child and family orientated with many hands-on activities. A great experience for all ages and a friendly welcome every time from our team. Come and visit us and if you enjoyed your visit would you please vote for us.”

To nominate Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery for the Family Friendly Museum Award, visit the Kids in Museums website and fill in the online form: www.kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards. You can also complete a feedback form at the museum and hand it to one of our volunteers.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on 3 June 2024.