A couple of weeks ago I was able to realise a long held dream: I got to spend a day at Seven Stories, “the national home of children’s books in Britain”.
Opened in 2005, Seven Stories showcases a national collection of manuscripts and illustrations of some of the UK’s greatest authors and illustrators for children. It has an extensive archive, and a wonderful museum-cum-gallery-cum-exploration space in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in NE England.
Seven Stories is located just outside the centre of Newcastle on the banks of the Ouseburn in a part of town which has a quirky, slightly bohemian feel to it, surrounded by artists’ studios.
Spread over seven floors (the name also refers to the seven basic plots that reoccur through all types of storytelling) there is plenty to see and do. We spent about 4 hours at Seven Stories and all of us, including the kids, would have liked to stay longer.
There are two main gallery spaces in the building and these host special exhibitions. Until the middle of September this year you can see Daydreams and Diaries, the Story of Jacqueline Wilson, whilst A Squash and a Squeeze: Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson runs until February next year.
Both exhibitions explore the published work of both authors, their backgrounds and family, and the illustrators with whom they’ve worked. The exhibitions are bright, spacious and wonderfully hands-on – each little nook or cranny has something for visitors to try, take part in, listen to, make, dress up in or crawl inside!
Unfortunately (from the point of view of this blog), it was not possible to take many photos (the use of flash is prohibited to protect the exhibits, and most objects can’t be photographed because of copyright issues). Nevertheless, I hope the photos below (a mixture of my own and some shared by Seven Stories) will give you a good flavour of the two exhibitions
In addition to the enormously enjoyable and well thought out exhibition spaces there are several creative spaces in the building, places where kids (and their grown ups) can get crafty, make things, draw, dress up, listen to or read stories.
Seven Stories is situated on the banks of the Ouseburn, almost next door to a city farm with pigs, chickens and goats as well as lots of vegetables growing. This setting was a wonderful place to while a way another hour or so with the kids before we walked down the banks of the Ouseburn to join the Tyne – a pushchair-friendly, delightful walk.
Seven Stories was everything I hoped it would be and I can’t wait to return – hopefully in October to see the new exhibition Gronckles and Doomfangs, celebrating Cressida Cowell and her How to train your Dragon books.
Seven Stories is a wonderful place to visit with something for all ages. I highly recommend it!
23 Responses
Good Books For Young Souls
Wow – this looks incredibly amazing! I’ve never heard of anything like it. How is it funded? (I’ll have to check out their website.) Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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Zoe
Hi Good Books for Young Souls, I’ve never been to the Eric Carle museum but I can imagine that might be the nearest thing in the US. As to funding the info is here http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/media/history-heritage-and-funding/ – basically a mixture of state and private funding.
Yes Se7en, I am waiting for you all!!
Indeed Damyanti, we did. It was our first time in Newcastle and we enjoyed the city rather a lot – a beautiful centre, and Ouseburn was lovely.
Stacey, you can come with Se7en and we’ll all go together 🙂
Hi Bookaholic Mum, yes, there was so much in the exhibitions wasn’t there, for all ages. I loved how inviting all the spaces were and how much there was for kids to DO – not just to look at, but to be active and inquisitive with.
se7en
Oh wow, what a fabulous, fabulous spot. And another reason why we should jump on a plane and visit your side of the world!!! Just love it!!!
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Damyanti
Sounds like you had fun it really is a fantastic place
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Stacey
What an amazing place! Wish we were closer…
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bookaholic mum
We visited 7 Stories a few months ago and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I don’t know who enjoyed the Julia Donaldson exhibition more – the kids or myself! It was so informative and inspiring. The residents of Newcastle and nearby are incredibly lucky to have a place like this on their doorstep!
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Polly
Deeply jealous. A weekend trip is a top idea which we may copy 🙂
(or maybe we should just go to Discover today)
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Suzanne
We love going to Seven Stories even if we feel very out of place by not having children of our own with us.
Great pictures! Thanks for showing your readers how great of a place it is!
Suzanne recently posted..Bank of America and Downton Abbey
Zoe
Thanks Suzanne, I do think it’s a place adults can get a lot out of too – so thankyou for highlighting that!
Ruth Waterton
What a wonderful day out. All I need is a child to go with me – mine are 18 and 21 now!
Ruth Waterton recently posted..Britain isn’t working – the sloppy arguments of “Britannia Unchained”
Zoe
Hi Ruth, as Suzanne above said, Seven Stories is great even without kids – there’s lots for adults interested in children’s literature to enjoy, for example I was amazed by a letter from Axel Scheffler’s editor – content and style was very interesting, as well as the insight into a process normally hidden. So don’t feel you need a child to go along – “just do it!”
choxbox
Sigh. You know what I am going to say.
But thanks, who knows, some day we might be aBle to visit. One can always hope right?!
Helen D
Right, that’s it, next year we ARE going on holiday to Newcastle. now to convince my other half…
Helen D recently posted..The Book about Moomin, Mymble and Little My
Kathryn
Seven Stories do some great adult tours where you get to see how an exhibition comes together and meet the archivists who handle the collection of original material. You even get to be involved in the white glove experience yourself and handle original material. http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/seven-stories-tours-7th-birthday-special-e49580
There’s more booked into the autumn too just keep an eye on the website.
Amy Broadmoore
This looks so fun! I know of nothing comparable near where we live.
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Katherine
This is one of my favourite places, I’ve been several times and it’s definitely not just for children. Now I have one though I can’t wait to take him!
SO glad you had a great time, it’s a truly wonderful place.
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Zoe
Oh Katherine, sounds like you got the perfect excuse! (not that any excuse is really necessary of course 😉 )
Debbie's World of Books
Wow, I would love to visit Seven Stories! It looks amazing.
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Elisabeth (YS Princess)
Um. I don’t think I’ve ever been more jealous of people who live in Britain! (maybe the olympics, but at least those still sort-of travel around…) Were there any adults in there who weren’t accompanied by children? lol
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Jen
This looks like so much fun! I’ll be in England at the end of October, maybe I should add this to my must-see list!
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Zoe
Hi Elisabeth, I didn’t notice any when i was there, but I was pretty engrossed in the displays so there probably were!
Think you’d love it Jen!
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Valarie
I’ve never heard of Seven Stories but it’s gone on my list that the next time I’m in England I’ll be going to this most incredible book haven. Please, oh please take photos of the Cressida Cowell Exhibit. Those are extremely popular books in my house. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful day in such an inventive museum. 🙂
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Zoe
He he Valarie, I’ll do my best to get to the Cressida Cowell exhibition – I know it’s going to lots of fun!