Mechanics Alive! A family-friendly, hands-on exhibition combining art, science, engineering and humour!

Education, Homepage, Social Activities

Source: A press release from the Discover Bucks Museum

This summer Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury is delighted to host a wonderfully humorous, hands-on exhibition combining art, science and engineering which will delight visitors of all ages.

Mechanics Alive! celebrates the fascinating world of automata (beautifully hand-crafted mechanical sculptures) and displays them alongside hands-on science exhibits that show how they work. Press a button and marvel as these mini masterpieces come to life. Watch the swimmer learning to swim on a stool, a man eating spaghetti in the bath and lots more characters all busy with a zany activity. Then enjoy turning cogs and pulling levers to discover how they move.

The automata are from the famous collection of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre that had legendary premises at Covent Garden from 1984 to 2000. The exhibits now tour the world and have been seen by over 10 million people worldwide including Singapore, USA and New Zealand so we are delighted to add Aylesbury to the list.

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (and some Mondays and Fridays too) there will be special craft mornings inspired by the Mechanics Alive! exhibition for children to get creative.

Mechanics Alive! opens on 22 July and runs until 2 September 2023 and is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Mechanics Alive! Produced and toured by Cabaret Mechanical Theatre and Science Projects.

Also during the summer the Museum’s walled garden will have a variety of activities and games for children to play with and explore. For more hands-on fun visit the fabulous Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery where you will find exhibits inspired by Roald Dahl’s children’s stories. And there’s more to discover in the main museum where our wonderful new galleries take you on a journey through 200 million years of Bucks history. There’s a garden café and gift shop too.

For opening times, charges and to book visit discoverbucksmuseum.org

Discover Bucks Museum is located on Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP