HAVE you ever wondered what happens at night at a museum? Well on October 30, Gilbert White’s House in Selborne is giving visitors two opportunities to find out.

Nik Knight, of the Hampshire Bat Society, will be giving a tour of the museum grounds to explain more about who frequents the gardens once the visitors have gone.

And at the field studies centre, families can get the chance to sleep over and learn more about nature with an evening packed full of activities.

Museums at Night is a nationwide incentive, with museums all over the country taking part.

Rosie Clarke from Culture 24, who runs the event, said: “The twice-yearly Museums at Night festival aims to inspire new visitors to discover the fascinating arts and heritage highlights on their doorstep.

Tickets for the bat tour and talk are £5 and can be bought online.

The talk will focus on the importance of bats to the environment, what types of bat are found in Selborne and what it is about the museum that is so appealing to these fascinating but mysterious creatures.

Gilbert White himself was extremely interested in bats. The talk runs from 6- 7pm.

At the field studies centre, children and their parents are invited to get stuck into activities that explore the local wildlife and environment.

Families will have a chance to join in the bat walk, and enjoy a campfire.

Tickets are £15 per child with one accompanying adult going free.

Evening campfire snacks are included in the price, as is morning breakfast.

Suitable for ages five and above, the evening activities begin at 6pm and run until 8.30am the following day.

See www.gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk for booking and information as well as a list of half term activities held there.

Haslemere Museum is also running a Museums at Night event on October 31, from 6-9pm. For £5, visitors can explore the dark galleries and then watch the film Secret of the Tomb.

See www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk for more information.