Victorian Christmas

Key Stages 1 & 2

Portland Basin Museum

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What’s Involved

Timings: 2 hour facilitated workshop (timings may be adjusted slightly eg. for full day bookings)
Venue: Portland Basin Museum
Costs: £111.50 for TMBC schools / £122 for non-TMBC schools

Take a stroll down ‘Old Street’ and step into Victorian Christmas at Portland Basin Museum. Discover and discuss the Victorian origins of many of our modern Christmas traditions, how customs have changed over time and what’s endured. What creative Yuletide tips will our Victorian housewife or toymaker share with you?

Led by a costumed facilitator in character, look into how Victorian families celebrated the season. Gather under our spruced-up street light for some carol singing. Visit our Victorian home to explore festive foods and seasonal smells, and create handmade Christmas decorations (to take away).

Your group will split and swap over to ensure a quality experience for everyone. Participants will also get hands on with our ‘history mystery’ objects to investigate changes over time. Explore the past, compare with the present and imagine the future using our Then, Now, Wow worksheet and resources. We provide everything your group will need to take part.

Learning Opportunities

  • Understand that many of our modern Christmas traditions were established in Victorian times
  • Recognize how traditions and trends have changed over the years
  • Use art materials to make a product (collaborative paper chain decoration)
  • Reflect on personal identity; what contributes to who we are (e.g. ethnicity, family, faith, culture)

Extend Your Experience

At the museum - you can book to combine with a second workshop for a full day experience.
In your school - before or after your visit, why not book to borrow a Museum in a Box

Venue information

This workshop is delivered at Portland Basin Museum:

  • There is free onsite parking for coaches – please note the car park has a cobbled surface.
  • Please let us know if you would like your class to eat lunch at the museum and we will provide you with a space.
  • There is a museum shop where your class is welcome to make purchases under supervision or we can arrange goody bags in advance.
  • A site risk assessment is available on request.