Have you been to Tring Museum?

I remember visiting Tring Museum as a child and I love taking my children there too. It is a perfect continued activity for toddlers and pre-schoolers and also great for curious children or those who love animals. My 5 year old affectionately calls in the Dead Zoo and it is a great rainy day activity.

What is at Tring Museum?

Tring Museum has 6 galleries of taxidermy over several floors packed with fascinating specimens – there are over 4,900 to see.

The private collection of Lionel Walter Rothschild became the basis of the collections housed at the Museum at Tring, located on the grounds of his family home.

It is such a ‘different’ sort of trip out with the kids. It can be tricky to explain to the little ones before they go as it is the concept of stuffed dead animals! My children LOVE being able to see the size of the animals and always remember which ones they want to go back to first.

Our Highlights

My children love the gallery on the top floor partly because they love the darkness in the and the expanse. They love the size of the animals both large and small, for example seeing how huge the walrus is and how tiny the mice are! We often have an animal hunt either just verbally where we ask them to go and find something we know if nearby or when we take with us a pre made activity sheet with animals on to find. The museum also has activities online and available when you get there. My toddler also like to take her camera to take photos of her favourite animals.

For us we love the ease and that every time the children notice something else as you cannot possibly take it all in during one visit. It is also interesting for the adults so slightly more engaging than soft play! We tend to only stay for around 1-2 hours so it is a great time filler or activity to get out and about on a rainy day.

Admission

Tickets are currently available for visits up to 5 September. The Museum at Tring is open Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays 10.30-16.30.

Tickets must be booked online in advance due to Covid.

Admission is FREE.

Practical Information

Tring Museum has ramp access and lifts to most areas. There are also toilets on site. The Museum has a cloakroom for coats and buggies but is not in use during Covid. Having been lots of times with my little ones I do find the buggy rather annoying in the Museum so would recommend a smaller stroller type or wearing a baby carrier if you have one. Some of the galleries are only really the width of a large buggy so tricky if it is busy.

There is a cafe on site called the Ugly Bug Cafe. There are also lots of lovely cafes near by on the High Street.

There is free car parking in Dawes Park. It has 50 spaces, with three for Blue Badge holders and two parent-and-toddler spaces.