Kirklees Together

Activities at Kirklees museums and galleries

Oakwell Hall:

Art On Your Doorstep at Oakwell Hall

We are delighted to share that Oakwell Hall and Country Park in Birstall has been chosen as a host of the nationwide art exhibition, The National Gallery: Art On Your Doorstep

The exhibition will see life-size reproductions of National Gallery paintings on display throughout the Oakwell estate. The text which will accompany each of the paintings has been a collaboration between The National Gallery, Kirklees Museums & Galleries, and local community groups.

This free exhibition will run from 4 April until 30 September and is made up of fourteen paintings including Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, and Monet’s The Water-lily Pond. These fourteen paintings, spread around Oakwell Hall and Country Park, were selected to complement the landscape and connect with historical stories.

When: 4 April until 30 September

Where: Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Birstall 

Cost: Free

Sunflower Planting for families  

Join our Rangers in the courtyard to plant your very own sunflower! Take one home to grow and leave one behind to brighten up our sensory garden. While you’re here, be among the first to try our brand-new family trail to explore the art trail while enjoying our beautiful country park.

Drop into the courtyard between 11am-3pm!

When: 4 April, 11am – 3pm

Where: Oakwell Hall and Country Park, Birstall 

Frog in the Park

Join artist Simon Woolham for a unique live performance exploring the frog’s response to artworks in the park. The event will be professionally filmed as part of a project that will feature in an exhibition at the University of Huddersfield in July.

Please note: filming will take place during this event.

When: 25 April, 1pm – 3pm  

Where:

Cost:

The Kirkwood: Mother’s Day in Bloom

Discover a breath-taking installation of 1,000 vibrant handmade peonies, a beautiful tribute to the grounding figures who shape our lives.

When: 8 March – 12 April | Free

Be Part of the Bloom

Peony Dedications | £30

Join The Kirkwood in honouring the people who help us blossom by dedicating a peony in memory or celebration of someone who means the world to you.

To learn more visit thekirkwood.org.uk/bloom

Wild Wednesday for families

Join the Rangers at Oakwell Hall to help prepare the Country Park for The National Gallery Art on Your Doorstep exhibition. Get involved in hands on outdoor activities, nature discovery, and behind the scenes conservation work.
Children will work alongside Rangers on practical tasks and learn how the park is cared for, making this a great experience for young explorers and nature lovers.

£5 per child. Suitable for ages 5 and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the weather as activities take place outdoors.

When: 1 April, 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm

Tolson Museum:

Moving Pictures – From Magic Lanterns to Cinema

Step back in time and discover how the first moving images amazed audiences long before film existed. Explore early optical toys and create your own moving picture. Watch still images come to life! Just like the pioneers of cinema did.

When: Tuesday 31 March,

April: Wednesday 1, Thursday 2, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12

During opening times | Pay as you feel

Bagshaw Museum:

Woodland Animal Stick Puppet Theatre

Get involved and make your own Springtime woodland animal stick puppet theatre. Once you’ve made your theatre and assembled your cast of anthropomorphic actors. Put on your production to get rave reviews from your audience!

When: Tuesday 31 March

April: Wednesday 1, Thursday 2, Saturday 4, Sunday 5, Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12

During opening times | £4