News, Views Etc . . . Compton Verney's Automata Exhibitions

A friend mentioned a toy inventor (Rodney Peppé)'s exhibition the other week and kindly popped down to Compton Verney and picked-up a brochure for us to look at, it turns out there are two exhibitions running side-by-side, both of toys or with a connection to toys.

The main exhibition is the 'Marvellous Mechanical Museum' collection of automata and working novelties through the ages, and while there are tinplate, clockwork and later plastic versions of this elephant out there for you to find, the one in the picture is by Faberge, is from the Royal Collection and is outside of your pocket's range . . . or mine!

The exhibition has been running since the 30th June (if you've been; the Blog would love follow-up shots!) and will end on 30th September, it's free with entry to Compton Verney's Art Gallery and Park.

Pricing is complicated but for those with no gold or silver membership packages the minimum entry for an adult - during exhibition periods - is £13.60 (£15 with gift-aid), and a family ticket is £30 with kids under five getting in free.

Other events are free or priced separately and include a Marvellous Mechanical Museum Family Trail (free) which involves using an activity sheet to guide you (or your younger companions!) round the exhibition thematically. There's also a Daily Guided-Tour (free) which sets-off at 12 noon or 2.30pm every day.

We've missed the curators tour (4th July) but there is a talk on Automata in Literature and Culture on Wednesday 2nd September from 2.30-3.30pm, delivered by Franziska Kohlt, this costs £25 to non-members but includes entry to all the other attractions.

Alongside the main automata exhibition is Rodney Peppé's World of Invention, which looks at the public oeuvre of Mr. Peppé and his many creations, books and inventions - it's all in the blub above!

In addition to the above events and exhibitions, Compton Verney has a fine park garden and there are other activities every day somewhere in the grounds or house. It's cheaper than Legoland and - it's brain-food!

Compton Verney is midway between Banbury and Stratford-upon-Avon and can be easily reached from junctions 11-to-15 off the M40 (12 or 15 recommended), with trains stopping at both towns, and Leammington Spa.

Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park

Compton Verney

Warwickshire

CV35 9HZ

Web. - comptonverney.org.uk

eMail - info@comptonverney.org.uk

Tel. - 01926 645 500

Tel. - 01926 645 516 (group ticketing; Emily)