Visiting the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre with our three-year-old was like stepping into a world of imagination and wonder. Nestled in the charming village of Great Missenden in the United Kingdom, the museum is a tribute to one of the most beloved children’s authors of all time. As a huge fan of Roald Dahl’s stories myself, I couldn’t wait to introduce my little one to the world of Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and The BFG.
Upon entering the museum, through the Willy Wonka-esque gates, our toddler immediately rushed into the arts and crafts room where special activities had been designed for younger children focussing on James and the Giant Peach. There was some fun, and messy, drawing and painting to be done – a great way to get her excited about exploring.
From there we started to explore the museum itself, and I loved how thoughtfully it was laid out for visitors of all ages, including toddlers. We discovered some of Roald Dahl’s childhood memories in the Boy Gallery, saw a replica of the room where Roald Dahl wrote, learned all about his time in Africa and his adventures as a pilot. However, the highlight for us was the hands-on interactive exhibits in the storytelling area. There was a craft station, a dress up area and plenty of other creative things to explore. We also loved just being able to sit on the giant cushions while listening to a story from Dahl’s famous books.
But the adventure didn’t end there, visiting Great Missenden itself where the museum is situated was an adventure in itself. You can see the library that inspired the story of Matilda, visit the gas station pumps that feature in the story of Danny the Champion of the World, and even pay your respects to the legendary author himself at Roald Dahl’s gravesite. After your visit to the museum itself you can explore these various sites on a short walk thanks to a handy and easy to follow map provided.
Finally, we ended our visit at the museum shop, where we took home some new books to enjoy at home. The shop is packed with Dahl-themed goodies, from books to toys, making future story times fun. As we drove home, I couldn’t help but feel excited to read her more of Roald Dahl’s books and continue the magic we’d discovered together.
It’s a trip I’d highly recommend to any parent looking to introduce their little ones to the whimsical world of Roald Dahl.