Discover Bucks is the new name for Buck County Museum. It’s just had a massive refurb and is completely transformed (including in the way their admission works). Instead of just updating the old review it made sense to give Discover Bucks Museum it’s own sparkly new one instead!
The galleries
The downstairs space of Discover Bucks Museum is still where you’ll find most of the permanent exhibits. There are five new galleries; Discover Bucks Geology, Discover Bucks Archaeology, Discover Bucks People, Discover Bucks Art and Discover Bucks Wildlife. Can you see why they changed the name! If you ever visited the old format you’ll know that this is quite a lot to fit into what’s not the largest space in the world. The wildlife gallery is in what was a side room (it used to have jewellery in it), but the other four are in what was the old main space. It doesn’t feel cramped though.
One thing I will say is that it looks like a proper, modern museum now. We always quite liked popping into the old one because it’s very close, it was free, and the kids thought it was fun. It was decidedly shabby around the edges though. This is bang up to date. There’s some funky elements like the Plesiosaur that comes out onto the floor and mammouth bones you can touch.
How family friendly is Discover Bucks Museum?
Sadly the old train they had has gone, and the wooden man. It’s not surprising as it was properly battered (and I never quite saw the point of it) but there are other hands-on elements instead. I’m not saying it’s jam-packed with hands-on stuff, but there’s still a fair amount. This tree (which is a cast from an actual tree in Vale Park BTW) is particular hit with the kids. There’s doors to open and you wave your hands in front of the sensors to light up the holes.
Then there’s the magnetic board with loads of artefacts from the museum for the kids to spot and place. Even with little ones it helps get them interested in what they’re looking at. You can pick up a free children’s trail from reception, there’s going to be an area for kids to do crafts and they regularly run family friendly events throughout the year. On the same site is also the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery (separate charges, or combi-ticket, apply)
Then there’s the usual listening posts and interactive displays etc that adults can enjoy just as much as the kids.
Discover Bucks People & Art
These two galleries are the ones that are going to be updated the most at Discover Bucks Museum and they’re about the lives and art of the people who live/lived here. As you walk in this stunning display cabinet will have various different items on display, and they’re going to be regularly changing. It’s really dramatic though. The fact that it also includes things right up to the modern day is cool as well. Even if I do get upset when museums contain things from my lifetime! It makes me feel old!!!
The rest of the site
Upstairs remains their main gallery and exhibition space. Most of the time there will be a charge for admission. The Tudor House is still a WIP and probably won’t be finished for another year or so. Which is a shame as it was always a favourite with us. I can’t wait to see what they do, if downstairs is anything to go by.
The garden and cafe are free to visit. It’s actually quite a nice spot for a cuppa on a sunny day. The Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery is on the same site as the Discover Bucks Museum, but I’ve written a separate review for that.
Our Discover Bucks Museum Review
This couldn’t be further from where it was! Everyone was so impressed with the new galleries at Discover Bucks Museum, and they have plans to do even more. Even though Smallest Child is too young to understand lots of it, she still found it fascinating. According to Middle Child “it’s really, really, really cool”.
Admission cost
Galleries – Adults – £5.50 (tickets are valid for 12 months). Children go under 15 FREE.
Combi-ticket with the Children’s Gallery (1 day entry) – Family of 4 – £25, Family of 5 – £30
Annual pass for the Children’s Gallery & Museum – Family of 4 – £55, Family of 5 – £65
All prices are correct at the time this review of Discover Bucks Museum was published. Please visit their website for the latest prices.
Parking / How to get there
Parking – Use town centre car parks
Address – Church Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2QP
Toilets
On-site, including baby change
Food
Cafe on site. Picnics not allowed
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Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook