Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery Ticket Portal

Discover and play at our weekly under 5's Mischief Maker events!

Bring your little ones to Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery for our free, weekly Mischief Maker sessions, specially designed for children under 5 and their grown-ups!

When the Museum and Art Gallery is closed to the public, you and your little ones can enjoy exclusive access to play, explore and make new friends in our unique spaces. From permanent collection interactives in our galleries to playing with a trove of toys in our historic courthouse to the courtyard during the warmer months for outdoor play, there is so much to spark creativity and imagination.

Your children can enjoy playing together with plenty of toys while you connect with a welcoming community of local parents and carers in Petersfield. It's the perfect way to embrace play and build connections in a relaxed, friendly environment.

• Our Mischief Makers sessions are Free to attend but booking is required.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult (18+).
• Maximum of 2 children per adult.
• Please book a free ticket for each attendee (including adults).

Enjoy an evening of outdoor theater in our unique, intimate courtyard.

Persophone is just planning for her coming out ball when she finds herself consigned to a rather puzzling finishing school: St Dymphna’s Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Here she meets Dora, a fellow inmate, shunned by society for daring to be different. Airswimming is based on the true story of two women who have been incarcerated in a mental asylum for being ‘moral imbeciles’ for having borne illegitimate children.

Forgotten by their families and institutionalized for over 50 years, Dora and Persephone adopt alter egos Dorph and Porph, to enact their fantasies and survive the silence of incarceration.

Described by BBC radio 4 as “an uplifting comedy of friendship, fantasy and freedom” the play is equal parts funny and vivacious, and heartbreakingly poignant.

About Vega Theatre:
Formed in 2024, Vega Theatre are a Hampshire based, small scale professional theatre company dedicated to creating innovative, unique, and thought provoking theatre.  We are passionate about the power of live performance and aim to bring high quality productions to local audiences at affordable prices.  

Doors/Bar Open: 7pm
Performance Starts: 7.30pm
Finish: 10pm

Float into summer with our fourteenth Toddler Takeover: Bubble Bonanza! 

This special event is dedicated to under-5s and their grown-ups. With the museum and art gallery closed to the public for the day, little ones can safely explore and enjoy an exciting, bubble-filled programme of activities designed to inspire joy, creativity, and play. 

Key attractions include: 

• Bubble and Pop Disco – An energetic, interactive dance experience led by Professor Bubbles 

• Giant Bubble Experience – Children step inside a giant bubble 

• Story Time – A bubble-themed tale told by Professor Bubbles 

• Bubble Crafts – Creative, bubble-inspired arts and crafts 

• Additional Activities – Throughout the site, multiple bubble-themed and toddler-friendly experiences will be available 

Move from first ideas towards a final draft of your novel. Get a clearer idea of how to write your book: crime novel, literary fiction, memoir.

How will you tell your story? Set realistic aims, get down to writing, and explode myths. Discuss everything from planning to procrastination. Explore wider strategies for editing and proofreading.

• “Loved the use of objects and photographs to stimulate ideas.”
• “Being forced to write a summary – very useful.”
• “Enjoyed being challenged and encouraged.”

About Will Sutton:
Workshop leader William Sutton is an experienced teacher and facilitator, novelist, journalist and musician. He tutors students all over the world, and lectures at the University of Portsmouth.
He has written articles for The Times, Fortean Times and the Conversation, written plays for stage and radio and stories for national and international magazines.
His novels are published by Titan Books. Lawless and the Flowers of Sin was a Book of the Year in Morning Star and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
 

Event Creative Saturday: Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects (June) has been created.

Open configuration options

Inspired by Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects and run by Jo from Craft Zen, this relaxed family art activity invites children and grown-ups to get creative together - designing bold, eye-cathcing artworks to take home.

No experience needed - just bring your imagination!

Sessions: 
10:30am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 3:30pm

This Creative Saturday has been made possible thanks to the generous support of K J Smith Solicitors.

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive look inside our summer exhibition Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Obejects.

Michael Craig-Martin has been a key figure in British art since the late 1960s. His depictions of everyday objects, from sunglasses and shoes to lightbulbs and laptps, drawn in outline and filled with intense saturated colours, are instantly recognisable.

This Curator Tour will take a closer look at the selection of his prints and everyday objects that are the subject of his work. Discover how Michael Craig-Martin's bold prints highlight his unique exploration of colour, form and object.

Ticket includes admission to the exhibition after the tour to explore at your leisure.

Curator Tours - What to expect:
A guided tour through the exhibition, exploring how it was curated.

Insights into the selectionof works and themes.

A 45-minute, conversation-led tour, offering a fresh perspective on Carig-Martin's distinctinve visual language.
The opportunity to explore the exhibtion at your own pace after the tour.

Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.

Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.

???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.

All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!

Who says you need pencils to draw? At this workshop, we’re flipping the script and using masking tape to create awesome artwork! Inspired by our current Michael Cariag-Martin exhibition this workshop is designed for our younger visitors (11+) to engage with the work of Michael Craig-Martin and create their own work inspired by him.

We’ll start by sketching out your ideas and then dive into making your masterpiece with tape. You'll pick up cool tricks for getting your proportions and perspective right. 

Got a school project? Bring it along! Your source images can help shape your creation, and you’ll be ticking those GCSE assessment objectives. Our 11+ workshops are led by an experienced art instructor who will give support and encouragement to all participants. Please note that parents/carers must accompany their child to the museum and art gallery to sign them in, but are then free to leave for the duration of the workshop. A designated parent/carer must collect the child at the end of the workshop (organised at drop off).  

Take inspiration from the vibrant world of Michael Craig-Martin, where everyday objects become bold, graphic masterpieces. In this workshop, you’ll try out different painting techniques and explore familiar forms with your own creative twist. 

Start by choosing images from the collection to create a clean, confident line drawing on canvas. Then grab your brush (and boldest colour palette) to bring it to life in true Craig-Martin style. 

Got a school art project bubbling away? Bring your source images! You’ll develop ideas, experiment with techniques, and tick off those GCSE assessment objectives.   Our 11+ workshops are led by an experienced art instructor who will give support and encouragement to all participants. Please note that parents/carers must accompany their child to the museum and art gallery to sign them in, but are then free to leave for the duration of the workshop. A designated parent/carer must collect the child at the end of the workshop (organised at drop off).  

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive look inside our summer exhibition Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Obejects.

Michael Craig-Martin has been a key figure in British art since the late 1960s. His depictions of everyday objects, from sunglasses and shoes to lightbulbs and laptps, drawn in outline and filled with intense saturated colours, are instantly recognisable.

This Curator Tour will take a closer look at the selection of his prints and everyday objects that are the subject of his work. Discover how Michael Craig-Martin's bold prints highlight his unique exploration of colour, form and object.

Ticket includes admission to the exhibition after the tour to explore at your leisure.

Curator Tours - What to expect:
A guided tour through the exhibition, exploring how it was curated.

Insights into the selectionof works and themes.

A 45-minute, conversation-led tour, offering a fresh perspective on Carig-Martin's distinctinve visual language.
The opportunity to explore the exhibtion at your own pace after the tour.

Join us for an electrifying evening of live music in the open-air Courtyard at Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery with acclaimed guitarist Rob Johnston.

Rob Johnston is no stranger to the national stage, having performed at major acoustic festivals, arts centres, and live on BBC Radio. Renowned for his virtuosic command of the acoustic guitar, Rob’s performances blend intricate fingerstyle, bold rhythms and percussive flair—often switching between guitars mid-set to create a rich, genre-defying soundscape.

Collaborating with dynamic percussionist Tim Gower, this duo delivers an unforgettable, high-energy acoustic experience. Expect masterful musicianship, technical brilliance and a charged atmosphere that has wowed audiences up and down the country.

“Staggering playing… He is a mighty, mighty fine player.”
— South Live, BBC Radio

Event Details

Experience live music under the summer skies in our unique Courtyard venue—an intimate space perfect for acoustic, folk and indie concerts (wet weather contingency available!). Our fully licensed bar will be open before, during and after the performance, serving a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.

Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.

???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.

All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!

Inspired by Michael Craig-Martin: Everyday Objects and run by Jo from Craft Zen, this relaxed family art activity invites children and grown-ups to get creative together - designing bold, eye-cathcing artworks to take home.

No experience needed - just bring your imagination!

Sessions: 
10:30am - 12:00pm
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Join us for an evening of breathtaking live music, featuring an acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, folk, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning guitar virtuoso, Claude Bourbon.
Claude Bourbon has French and Swiss roots. His instruments are guitar and voice. His music is rooted in multiple traditions – blues, jazz, folk, Mediterranean, and for good measure classical. (Can we say BACH!)

Claude Bourbon's guitar fingering and arrangements are varied and eloquent.  He has the gift of brilliant sequencing, and the result is  a hypnotic voyage along a river of songs and instrumentals.  He wisely began with a two separate songs to establish his connection with us.  What followed was a series of pieces strung together like a cleverly woven magic carpet.  I felt like I was floating along, all thought swept aside. I was flowing with him from sad to sweet to ironic and on to another dimension.  Some songs are in English, some in French, and within each there is rhythmic dance among the words.  He plays with consonant sounds, and his tone is sometimes like that of a lover whispering in your ear.  Other times, that tone goes deep and strong to relay important history or solidarity with those who have had similar experiences. Instrumentals provide continued rhythmic and melodic steps on the journey. Each strum or pluck is explicit, yet free flowing.

Claude Bourbon aptly describes himself as a musical artist.  He uses a vast array of music tools to paint a landscape we have all visited either in person or in our dreams."  Mary Pat Cooney – FolkWorks

Event Details:
Doors/Bar Open: 19:00
Music from: 19:30
Event Finish: 22:00

Discover more about the historic market town of Petersfield and the role that routes and pathways have played in its history.

Embark on a captivating journey through the history of Petersfield. Immerse yourself in the tales of a town that has evolved over 1,000 years, from its humble origins as a small settlement at the crossroads of ancient trackways to the vibrant market town it proudly stands as today.

We will meet outside of Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery and will make our way through the streets of the town, guided by our expert and friendly narrator who is ready to share insights and answer your questions along the way. Our walking route is fully accessible to ensure everyone can partake in this event.

Discover where history lingers in the architecture, streets and landmarks of Petersfield, connecting the dots between its storied past and present. This immersive experience is not just a stroll through time; it's an opportunity to deepen your understanding of the town's evolution and appreciate the enduring traces of history that surround you—if you know where to look.

Please wear weather appropriate clothing.
We endeavour to lead our walks in all weather, but if we do need to cancel due to dangerous weather we will be in contact as soon as possible with an alternative date.

Meet the Booming Lovelies! Fresh from performing at the Farnham and Cranleigh Literary Festivals. Ladies of a certain age, poetically primed and eager to charm with verses on everything from nostalgia for the last century to lost loves, the menopause, gin and the complexities of modern life. All welcome – there’s something for everyone - so relax and enjoy a wonderful performance. “Poignant, charming and laugh out loud funny! A real triumph!”

Event Details:
Doors/Bar Open: 19:00
Performance Starts: 19:30 

LynchPin Theatre return to Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery with a performed reading of 'The Women of Lockerbie'.

‘Pan Am 103 was last seen in a fireball over Scotland.’

Inspired by true events and written in the style of Greek Tragedy, this is a fictionalised account of how the women of a small Scottish town take charge of their own grieving.  Deborah Brevoort’s finely-tuned play lays bare the range of emotions felt by ordinary people rocked by the disaster.

Through their actions, the women of Lockerbie are determined that love must triumph over hate.

‘…in its tightly controlled depiction of collective sorrow…(Brevoort’s script) it becomes almost unbearably moving.’ The Daily Telegraph

‘Bervoort has a gift for high poetry… (the script is) endowed with character, poetry and a core of touching emotion.’ Time Out

Event Details:
Doors/Bar Opens: 19:00
Performance Starts: 19:30
 

Unlock your creativity and refine your drawing skills with our Life Drawing sessions – a time-honoured practice that hones your ability to observe and capture the human form.

Led by an experienced tutor Livvy Stainer, these relaxed and welcoming sessions will guide you through the essentials of life drawing, including proportion, anatomy, composition, line, tone, and perspective. Working from live nude models, you’ll explore a range of timed poses, with expert tips, demonstrations, and guidance to support your progress.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist, these sessions are designed to help you build confidence, improve hand-eye coordination, and develop your artistic style.

???? No long term commitment, Join us for a one-off session to see if its right for you or multiple sessions for a deeper dive into this essential artistic discipline the choice is yours.

All materials provided – just bring your enthusiasm!

Come join us and celebrate National Poetry Day with International poet Raine Geoghegan, poet & lecturer Amanda Garrie and, Award winning poet James Simpson. We'll be sharing Romani poetry and story from the new anthology KIN, published in 2024 with Salmon Poetry Press all accompanied by live music by Simon Callow. 

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive tour of *Where the Light Falls*, a quietly powerful exhibition drawn from the remarkable photographic archive of Winifred Joseph.

Explore how Joseph’s intimate portraits and countryside scenes offer a window into rural Hampshire life during the early 20th century – capturing friendships, family, and the shaping of a modern identity. The tour will reflect on Joseph’s role as both observer and participant, her artistic sensibility, and the broader cultural context of amateur photography during the interwar years.

Curator Tours – What to Expect:

– A guided walk through the exhibition with insight into its curation

– A closer look at key themes, locations, and selected photographs

– A 45-minute, conversation-led session offering a personal and reflective perspective on the archive and its relevance today

Booking essential.

This one-man show informs, educates but above all entertains about radio’s first moments. Enjoy tales, clips and re-enactments of the earliest landmark broadcasts: the first drama, music, comedy, sports, children’s programme + much more – researched, written and performed by British Comedy Award-winning writer (Miranda, Not Going Out), comedian + broadcast historian Paul Kerensa.

A sequel of sorts to Paul’s 2022 tour The First Broadcast: The Battle for the Beeb in 1922, this ‘stand-up history’ show brings back to life forgotten pioneers – from Britain’s first DJ Gertrude Donisthorpe (spinning discs in a field during WWI), to the BBC’s first children’s character (Susan the blue cat with yellow spots). It’s a fascinating, fact filled but above all FUN tale, showing how we got to now.

With no recordings from the 1920s, we’ll recreate key moments, inc. the first drama The Truth About Father Christmas (recently rediscovered by Paul at the British Library for the first time in nearly a century) and the first political debate (sparking the BBC’s first controversy, foreshadowing the issues for today’s BBC).

Hear the BBC’s first song, the influential first outside broadcast and the bawdy tale of the launch of Savoy Hill. After a Q&A, Paul’s new novel Auntie and Uncles: The Bizarre Birth of the BBC can be available. In this age of doubt over the BBC’s future, we’ll seek to understand the present by looking at the past answering questions like: Why the half-hour programme length? How did the first allegation of BBC bias pre-date the BBC? How was the BBC effectively pirate at first, unlicensed for the first two months?

WRITTEN, RESEARCHED + PERFORMED BY:

Paul Kerensa has written for TV shows inc. Top Gear, Buble at the BBC, Royal Variety Show and TFI Friday and radio shows inc. The Now Show, The News Quiz and Dead Ringers. He’s a regular on BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show’s ‘Pause For Thought’ and has presented BBC Radio Sussex/Surrey’s Sunday Breakfast.

As a performer, Paul has performed over 3,000 stand-up gigs, inc. The Royal Albert Hall, The Comedy Store + Montreal Comedy Festivals. He won ITV’s Take the Mike Award and was a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Awards. As a broadcast historian, he presents the five-star-rated The British Broadcasting Century Podcast, has presented at media history conferences and advised on BBC documentaries.

“A brilliant writer, fantastic communicator, deep thinker, philosopher & extremely decent bloke.” – CHRIS EVANS

“Top comic, top writer.” – LEE MACK

"As effortless a writer as he is a performer." – THE STAGE

“Paul has a brilliant way of bringing these stories to life. I’ve worked in radio for decades but didn’t know any of this tale of how broadcasting began.” – review of The British Broadcasting Century Podcast

Enjoy an evening of foot-stomping music with the return of one of our favourite folk trio's 'Vicar's Crackpipe'! 

Join us for a captivating evening of live music with the amazing Vicar's Crackpipe! Back by popular demand, they will be playing a selection of traditional and original folk music on guitar, fiddle, accordion, mandolin, whistle and Cajon the talented trio will get you up clapping, stomping and dancing along in the wonderful setting of our courthouse. 

Event Details:
Doors/Bar Open: 19:30
Performance from: 20:00
Event Finish: approx. 22:00

Step back in time and explore early photography by making your very own pinhole camera!

Inspired by our exhibition *Where the Light Falls: Winifred Joseph’s Rural Archive 1917–1939*, this hands-on workshop invites families to discover how images were captured before digital cameras. Led by an experienced artist educator, you’ll create, experiment, and have fun together while learning something new.

A free, creative session for curious kids and their grown-ups.

All materials provided.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Suitable for ages 7+.

 

Entertain your little ones with our spooktacular Toddler Takeover Day! Get your groove on at the Grave Rave disco, hear a spooky tale from Simon Scarecrow, create monstrous creations and much more!

Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Toddler Takeovers:
Toddler Takeovers are an exciting way to explore our spaces in a fun, exciting and friendly way. Held on a Monday when the Museum and Art Gallery is closed to the general public these specially tailored days are designed to introduce your little mischief maker to the world of museum's and art galleries in a wholly child friendly way! This day is just for you and your little ones so we encourage play, noise, dance and creativity in an environment that often seems the opposite of all these things!

As Halloween approaches, join us on a ghost walk around the town as we uncover stories of things that go bump in the night. 

From marble-playing ghost children to a Civil War hanging, enjoy looking at the grizzlier side of Petersfield.

Our walks start and finish outside the entrance to the Museum. Dogs are welcome.

As Halloween approaches, join us on a ghost walk around the town as we uncover stories of things that go bump in the night. 

From marble-playing ghost children to a Civil War hanging, enjoy looking at the grizzlier side of Petersfield.

Our walks start and finish outside the entrance to the Museum. Dogs are welcome.

Join our Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Louise Weller, for an exclusive tour of *Where the Light Falls*, a quietly powerful exhibition drawn from the remarkable photographic archive of Winifred Joseph.

Explore how Joseph’s intimate portraits and countryside scenes offer a window into rural Hampshire life during the early 20th century – capturing friendships, family, and the shaping of a modern identity. The tour will reflect on Joseph’s role as both observer and participant, her artistic sensibility, and the broader cultural context of amateur photography during the interwar years.

Curator Tours – What to Expect:

– A guided walk through the exhibition with insight into its curation

– A closer look at key themes, locations, and selected photographs

– A 45-minute, conversation-led session offering a personal and reflective perspective on the archive and its relevance today

Booking essential.

Join Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery as we commemorate the lives of the men and women from the town that gave their lives in both the First and Second World War. This walk visits the last known addresses of some of those whose names adorn the towns cenotaph and some of those who do not appear and share their stories from medal winners to nurses and reflect on those that they left behind.  

Additional information: 

This walk takes place on hard surfaces with short stops along the way making them accessible to most. 
The walk starts and finishes at the front of the Museum. 
The walk will continue in all weather unless unsafe to do so. 

Back by popular demand Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery are excited to welcome A. D. Scruffs back to the Courthouse!

A.D. Scruffs is a Soul, Roots & Americana band hailing from Bristol, with a foot-stomping collection of ear-worm-infested originals and a storming stage presence sure to captivate any audience!

About the Venue:
Join us for a one-of-a-kind backdrop for live music at our historic courthouse venue. Perfect for an intimate concert, we specialise in acoustic, folk, indie, and genre-fusion singers and bands to bring you the best experience possible. Get there early to grab the best seat in the house!

Sip, socialise, and enjoy the evening of music with the convenience of a fully licenced bar. Our wide range of beverages ensures there's something for everyone.

Event Details:
Doors & Bar Open: 7.30pm
Music from: 8pm
Fully licensed bar open during and throughout the performance

New to Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery! Enjoy a mesmorising evening of live music with Chris Cleverley.

‘Dream-Folk’ songwriter Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in the honeysuckle mysticism of a late 80s Midsummer; quiet and curious, saturnine and shy. 

A true guitar-man, his breathtaking fingerstyle technique dances above lush ambient soundscapes, drawing comparisons ranging from Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens to UK guitar royalty John Martyn & Nic Jones; a curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of the 90s Pacific Northwest

With replenishing calm and warm humour, this unique one-man live show occupies the space between concert performance and yoga nidra meditation; plunging audiences head first into a revitalising journey that promises to leave them feeling that little bit more wholesome than when they arrived.

"Rather Lovely Electro-Folk" - Radcliffe & Maconie - BBC 6 MUSIC

"The feel of Elliott Smith and Sufjan Stevens" ★★★★ - Scottish Daily Express

"Frighteningly brilliant works" - The Daily Star

 Event Details:
Doors/Bar Open: 19:30
Music from: 20:00
Fully licensed bar open during and throughout the performance

Get into the holiday spirit and join us for a magical festive music from Alder Valley Brass and lend your voice to fill our courtyard with the sound of carols. Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the season as your caroling echoes through the Petersfield Museum and Art Gallery courtyard. Be sure to bundle up, and to keep you warm throughout the event, mince pies and mulled wine are available for purchase at the Coffee Shop.

Blankets will be available.

Event Details:
Doors/Bar Open: 16:30pm
Music From: 17:00pm

Please note that this is an outdoor event and will be subject the weather. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details for adverse weather conditions.