Northampton Museum brings art, history and 1980s nostalgia to life this summer

From Roman Britain and works by celebrated artists to Lego filmmaking and Pac-Man puppets, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is offering something for visitors of all ages throughout August.

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is inviting residents and visitors to explore a summer programme combining local culture, artistic discovery, interactive history and memories of the 1980s.

The museum, on Guildhall Road, is currently hosting four distinctive exhibitions alongside creative workshops and free family activities for the school holidays.

One of this summer’s highlights is I Grew Up 80s, a nostalgia-filled exploration of childhood in 1980s Britain.

Collector and cultural commentator Matt Fox has assembled more than 200 objects reflecting the entertainment, technology, toys, fashions and popular culture that helped define the decade.

Visitors can rediscover everything from Betamax and BMX bikes to Donkey Kong, Transformers and Cabbage Patch Kids, alongside the music and films remembered by a generation.

The free exhibition continues until 10 October 2026. Find out more about I Grew Up 80s.

Visitors curious about how artists develop their work can explore The Art of Art, an interactive exhibition examining the techniques and ideas that have influenced generations of artists.

Its displays explore perspective, colour, lighting and composition while considering how new materials and methods changed what artists painted, how they painted and what they used to create their work.

The exhibition is free to visit and continues until Monday, 31 August. View details of The Art of Art.

From the Collection: Drawings presents work by several significant artists, including Henry Moore, Walter Sickert, Sir Edward Burne-Jones and Clare Abbatt.

The exhibition brings together preparatory sketches and completed works, demonstrating how artists use line, tone and observation to experiment, solve problems and develop their ideas.

By presenting drawing as an art form in its own right, the exhibition encourages visitors to consider its enduring importance as a means of exploration, invention and creative expression. It continues until Sunday, 18 October. Explore From the Collection: Drawings.

The museum is also celebrating Northampton’s contemporary community through Humans of NC, a free photographic exhibition featuring Northampton College students and staff.

The exhibition explores individuality, diversity and the shared sense of belonging found within the college community. Its photographs communicate a simple but important message: although people may appear different, they often have far more in common than first impressions suggest.

Humans of NC continues until Monday, 31 August. Read more about the exhibition.

Bringing history to life

Younger visitors will have opportunities to encounter history beyond the conventional museum display case.

On Tuesday, 4 August, the museum’s Hitchhiking Historian will take families back almost 2,000 years to Roman Britain.

Visitors will be able to handle historical objects, try on Roman-inspired clothing and participate in crafts and games between noon and 3pm.

The event is free, suitable for all ages and does not require advance booking. View the Roman Britain event details.

The historian will return on Tuesday, 11 August, when the museum will recreate the atmosphere of a Victorian shoe factory—an especially appropriate subject for a town whose identity and international reputation were shaped by generations of skilled shoemakers.

A further appearance on Tuesday, 25 August, will transport visitors into the world of medieval England.

Creative family activities

Every Wednesday during the school holidays, families can visit the museum between noon and 4pm for free 1980s-inspired activities.

Children can make slatted sunglasses on 5 August, friendship bracelets on 12 August, Pac-Man peg puppets and a game on 19 August, and their own pin badges on 26 August.

Colouring and puzzle sheets, gallery trails, games and books will also be available. No advance booking is required. View the complete Pop-in Wednesdays programme.

On Thursday, 6 August, children aged seven and over can create an 1980s-inspired Lego film using a smartphone and the free Stop Motion Studio application.

Lego, scenery and props will be provided, although participants may bring their own figures or accessories if they wish.

The workshop costs £2.50 per child, with sessions taking place from 11am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 3.30pm. Advance booking is essential, and every participating child must be accompanied by an adult throughout the workshop.

Other activities planned for August include making retro decorations, sunflower lino printing and clay-mask workshops.

The varied programme gives Northampton families an affordable way to enjoy art, history and creativity together while discovering more about the collections held in the heart of the town.

Visitor information

Northampton Museum & Art Gallery is located at 5–6 Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm and Sunday from noon until 5pm. It also opens from 10am until 5pm on spring and summer bank holidays.

Most exhibitions and drop-in activities featured in the summer programme are free, although charges and booking requirements apply to selected workshops.

For further information, visit the Northampton Museums website or telephone 01604 526322.