Two Island museums offer “Ferocious Family Fun” this half term

“Ferocious family fun” is on offer at two Island museums this half-term in events organised by the Isle of Wight Council’s Heritage Service.

Visitors to Newport Roman Villa in Cypress Road will be able to create a fearsome face pot at clay days taking place on Wednesday, October 23 and Wednesday, October 30 from 10am until 2pm (last entry).

There will also be a mythical monster museum trail and the site will be open for people to explore the historic remains, including the garden.

Meanwhile, at the Museum of Island History in Newport's historic Guildhall, visitors will be able to let their imagination run wild as they create a ferocious paper mask.

There will also be a fun trail exploring the stories behind some of the museum’s treasures. 

History lovers will also have the opportunity to learn more about mysterious Iron Age stone heads discovered on the Island and now on display at the museum.

These enigmatic faces may represent Pagan gods or have held other symbolic and ritual significance, reflecting the Celtic belief that the head was the seat of the soul.

The museum will be open on Tuesday 22 October, Tuesday 29 October, Thursday 24 October and Thursday 31 October, from 10am until1pm (last entry), 

On these special days there’s no need to book and all activities and museum entry costs just £1 per person at each museum site.

Further information call (01983) 823456, email museums@iow.gov.uk or visit www.iow.gov.uk/museums 

Photo: Iron Age or Roman stone head sculpture found at Luccombe. On display at Newport Roman Villa. (IWCMS 735.999.1)