Half Term at Gilbert White & The Oates Collections this October is bursting at the seams with activities for families.

Gilbert White’s House tells the story of three great explorers of the natural world in its galleries. These include the pioneering 18th century naturalist, Gilbert White himself; Captain Lawrence Oates of the final Scott Antarctic expedition of 1911-1912, and Victorian explorer of Central America and Africa, Frank Oates.

The Museum, in Selborne village’s high street, is open Tuesday- Sunday 10.30am-5.15pm.

On Tuesday, October 27 and Friday 30, there will be a chance to learn more about Frank Oates, who discovered wonderful birds on his travels around Central America. Children can put on an explorer’s hat and use binoculars to get a very close look at them before making a colourful bird mask to take home. The activity is included in the admission price, all ages welcome. No booking is required, just turn up.

On Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29, tickets are available to discover what creatures live in the river in this hands on (and probably wet) session. This is a two-hour led activity, when families will be able to search for the invertebrates in the river, identify them and then help local birds survive the winter by making bird feeders to take home. Tickets are £6 and available from our website, with the accompanying adult going free of charge. The sessions run 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm, and spaces are limited so advance booking is advised.

The Museum will take these intrepid youngsters through the interesting tales of three amazing explorers of the natural world, Gilbert White, Frank Oates and Lawrence Oates.

For more information about these activities, and booking information, for the Nature Explorers Sessions see www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk/events