Being extremely lucky in the partner-for-life department, this was part of my birthday present, but yesterday was the first time we'd been able to get out there and explore. You take the train from London Marylebone to Great Missenden and then it is well signposted from there and only about a five minute walk - the village is very small, but also beautiful and completely charming.
From the website you can download a village trail to wander and see the sights that have inspired many of his books - this is a very short trail and is basically a walk along the main streets. Very easy going. There is also an hour long walk through the surrounding fields and woodlands, which requires a bit more thought and fitness, but we're not talking much. Wheel chairs and buggies would find it tricky in the wooded areas, due to the kissing gates and narrow muddy paths, but it is fine for a gentle stroll. These trails are also available in a hard copy at the museum.
Entry prices are cheap, with kids' prices and concession prices also offered. There is a tremendous shop, a quirky cafe and plenty of events to keep adults and kids happy. There are two main galleries giving insight into Dahl's early life and lots of information and tid bits that you probably didn't already know, but I won't give them away, you need to see it for yourself. And a story centre and craft room, to get your creative on.
For entry prices and what's on in the coming months, check out the website: http://www.roalddahl.com/museum
You are graced with seeing Dahl's writing hut, which they removed from his garden and put back together piece by piece, beautifully preserving the interior as it was the last time Dahl wrote there. It feels like it is waiting for him to sit back down and cook up another gem. We wish! I was pleasantly surprised to hear of his work ethic: two hours in the morning, then lunch and a nap, then two hours in the afternoon. He believed two hours was the maximum time you could work without losing productivity. Thanks Mr Dahl. I agree!
There are loads of hands on activities, especially in the story centre, which will keep the kids - and adults - busy for hours. There is also an emphasis on nurturing writing talent in youngsters. Dahl himself and other authors have left advice and pointers on how they work themselves, to give kids the confidence to go away and try something new and to not be afraid. Children are given a story ideas book at the entrance and encouraged to jot things down, doodle and experiment with words and rhymes as they go along. There are regular story times in Miss Honey's Classroom.
Magnetic verse making.
We were also extremely lucky to go on an archive day. Once a month, they open the archive up to small groups of people, who can see and touch some of his original letters, book drafts, some of his clothes and some memorabilia from films and TV. I cannot stress how much you have to go on archive day - check the website for details and book in advance. Oh my word. I saw the box with the original manuscript of Matilda in it. Ahhhhhhhh! Sadly, the focus of the archive this time was not on Matilda, so I didn't get to see it or handle it, but to even see the box with it in, to know that his hand pencilled that and it is in this box next to me. Wow!
Boxes of Matilda. Matilda holds a special place in my heart as being the first non-school book that I ever read by myself, aged 5.
So yes, back to the archives. Well worth the extra £1 you pay to go to it. Really, £1. Craziness! I would pay much, much more. We managed to see and read some of his old letters to his mother. We read some of his old school reports, and saw his old school shirt. Wow, Dahl was huge even aged 17. So very tall. We got to see the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, well the second draft, which was actually called: Charlie the Chocolate Boy. We saw The Enormous Crocodile manuscript, all pencil written, and finally The Giraffe, the Pelly and Me, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year, and was the main focus of the archive talk. We were lucky enough to be the only two on the archive tour, which made it even more special and I got to hold Dahl's old sandal, which became an inspiration for the BFG and his footwear. Wow.
We even got to choose some chocolate from Dahl's own chocolate box.
Okay, more amazing things about the museum include: A wrist band so you can come and go as you please over the opening hours on that day. Cafe Twit offering fizzy lifting drinks, hot and cold snacks and some monstrously delicious cakes. And of course, the shop full of so many fun things. I behaved myself though, just buying a couple of birthday gifts for other people, but it would be easy to go wild there. Of course all his children and adult books and collections are on sale, as well as stationary, mugs, magnets, t-shirts and more.
Mmmm, Ginger slice and Gluten free cheesecake at Cafe Twit.
If you have the time, take the short walk to the church where Roald Dahl is buried. The memorial tree and bench, and gravestone, are such a celebration of his life and such a wonderful way for him to be remembered. The church and graveyard sit in quiet contemplation looked after by the BFG and all Dahl's characters.
We also did the woodland trail and enjoyed wandering around the village where he lived and brought up his family. He took his inspiration for characters and situations and landscapes from all around him and the events of his life, and it was lovely to walk where he would have and think about all those characters. What a man.
The village boasts some lovely home shops and high end gift shops, as well as a couple of pubs, French, Indian and Thai Restaurants, and a lovely local coffee house and cafe. You can also see the library, which is seen as Matilda's library and it is a truly great day out. So what are you waiting for?
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