The Amelia Scott

Home Education at The Amelia - Primary
2026-07-14 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) | The Amelia Scott – Learning Suite
Join us at The Amelia for our monthly learning sessions open to home educated children across the borough.
Our learning sessions are linked to the Amelia’s collections, are based on enquiry-led learning and are rooted in the National Curriculum. Sessions provide unique opportunities for object-handling and inspiring activities to guide children and their families as they explore our galleries.
Standard sessions last 60 minutes. Booking is essential. Please note, children must be accompanied by their parent/carers and remain their responsibility at all times.
We aim to provide a fully inclusive service for all our young visitors. Please let us know if there are any SPLD/ or accessibility needs we should be aware of so that we can help support all participants to engage with the session.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more before booking, please email us at learningattheamelia@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
If you are unable to attend after booking please contact us to let us know as we have a number of children on the waiting list who could benefit from the session.
Monthly themes:12 May – Georgian Fashion
Find out how people dressed when Tunbridge Wells was at its most fashionable, 300 years ago. Try on replica costume, give yourself a Georgian makeover and explore our Georgian Spa gallery with a specially designed trail.
09 June – Pollinator Session
During this session, we will look at the important role that pollinators play in our world by going out and exploring the local environment with expert Dr Ian Beavis. Please note, this is a longer session, running 12.30-14.00 and will come to a conclusion in Calverley Grounds.
14 July – George Smart – Professor of Peculiar Arts!
For our final workshop of the academic year, we will focus on a local folk artist, eccentric 18th century tailor George Smart. We will explore his artwork on site at The Amelia before making our own versions of the work he created from the offcuts he gathered during the course of his work as a tailor – the original upcycling!

COME AS YOU ARE – a group for people affected by bereavement
2026-07-14 12:30 - 14:30, 2026-07-07 12:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-30 12:30 - 14:30, 2026-06-23 12:30 - 14:30 | The Amelia Scott – Residency Studio
Are you affected by bereavement?
Would you like to find:

Creativity
Community
Connection

This programme will offer a range of creative activities to support wellbeing and connection. This might involve art, music, storytelling, playing games – the participants will choose the activities themselves, with no pressure to create and no experience needed.
We will offer a warm, welcoming space with free tea and biscuits and the freedom for people to ‘come as you are’.
To join please self-refer by contacting creativehealth@tunbridgewells.gov.uk or call 01892 554097.

Rhyme Time - Tuesday & Thursday AM
2026-07-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-07 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-30 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-23 10:00 - 12:00 | The Amelia Scott – Children’s Library
Come and join our fun and noisy singing session for children under 4 and their parents and carers.
A free, fun and noisy way for under 4s to develop a love of language and a foundation for learning. Each session lasts about 20 – 30 minutes and includes the opportunity to join in with nursery rhymes and action songs.
Research shows that these activities can help develop literacy and communication skills in babies and children.
These sessions will take place in the Children’s library (under the beautiful night sky) on Tuesdays at 10:00 and 11:00, and Thursdays at 10:00.
No need to book, just drop in!

Home Education at the Amelia - Secondary
2026-07-14 10:00 - 11:30 | The Amelia Scott
Join us at The Amelia for our monthly learning sessions open to home educated young people across the borough.
This academic year, we are running monthly work experience taster sessions. Each month, participants will have the opportunity to observe, shadow or learn from a different team from across the Amelia Scott and other council services. Following an hour with the team, the participants will spend the remaining 30mins working together to create a blog post about their experience which will be hosted on The Amelia website.
Sessions last 90mins. Booking is essential. Please note, a parent/carer must remain on site throughout the session and participants remain their responsibility at all times.
We aim to provide a fully inclusive service for all our young visitors. Please let us know if there are any SPLD/ or accessibility needs we should be aware of so that we can help support all participants to engage with the session.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more before booking, please email us at learningattheamelia@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.
Monthly taster sessions:12 May
Join the team at the Crematorium to find out how this most important and sensitive service operates. Please note, this session takes place on site at the Crematorium, Benhall Mill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN2 5JJ.
9 June
Join the Digital Services Team to gain a behind-the-scenes look at how they work with and support services across the Council.
14 July
Join the Learning Team and find out how to create a workshop for other home educators!
If you are unable to attend after booking please contact the team as we have children on a waiting list who would benefit from the session.
Special thanks to one of our regular Home Educators Ellie for creating our shiny new and quite beautoful logo! Well done Ellie!

Story Time
2026-07-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-22 11:00 - 12:00 | The Amelia Scott – Children’s Library
Listening to stories is a great way to develop and encourage young children to read books. Come and join one of our Story Time sessions for 3 to 4 year olds – it’s great fun!

You can find Kent Libraries online Story time playlist on our You Tube channel.
Research shows that babies and children introduced early to stories and books do better in school in later years. So if you have no time to read tonight, download a free audio story from Storynory or Kent Libraries growing audiobooks collection.
Story Time will be taking place in the Children’s Library (under the beautiful night sky) on Monday Mornings at 11:00 from the 9th May.
No need to book, just drop in.

History Hour - Digging into Local History: The Archaeology of Tunbridge Wells
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:00 | The Amelia Scott – Work Room
Join Dr Ian Beavis, Research Curator at The Amelia, for an engaging talk exploring the rich archaeological history of Tunbridge Wells. Discover the stories buried beneath the town, from ancient artifacts to more recent historical finds.
Dr Beavis will also highlight The Amelia’s collections, showing how objects and records help us piece together the lives of past communities. Learn how archaeology and museum collections work together to reveal Tunbridge Wells’ hidden past and understand the town’s development over time.
This talk is perfect for local history enthusiasts, archaeology fans, and anyone curious about the treasures and stories preserved in their town.
This event is part of The Amelia’s “History Hour” series – keep your eyes peeled for more fascinating talks coming soon!
Please arrive approx. 15 minutes before the start.
Your purchase today helps to support our work and enables The Amelia to continue to provide free access to the arts, culture, learning and creative health programmes for everyone in our community. Thank You!

Archaeology Adventure
2026-07-10 - 2026-10-04 | The Amelia Scott – Exhibition Space
Join Moley, our friendly archaeologist-in-training, as your guide on a hands-on journey through time.
From fieldwalking to excavation, discover the real techniques archaeologists use to reveal hidden histories and try your hand at becoming a history detective. Young explorers and curious minds of all ages can dig, discover, and decode clues from the past, learning how everyday objects help archaeologists piece together ancient lives.
Interactive activities and playful challenges invite visitors to get involved, whether you’re uncovering buried finds, recording discoveries, or interpreting intriguing artefacts.
A selection of objects from archaeological excavations across Kent will be on display, offering glimpses into the region’s rich and varied past, from Roman Britain to more recent history. These finds help tell the stories of the people who lived here and the landscapes they shaped.
With special loans from the Kent Archaeological Society, Cranbrook Museum, and the Guildhall Museum, Rochester, Archaeology Adventure celebrates the heritage of Kent through curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Come and dig a little deeper – who knows what you might find?

Knit & Stitch Club
2026-07-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-24 13:00 - 15:00 | The Amelia Scott – Lower Atrium
Come along to our drop in Knit & Stich club here at The Amelia Scott every Wednesday from 1-3pm.
Enjoy meeting and crafting with like minded makers in a relaxed and friendly environment.

Just Dance at The Amelia Scott - Pre School Ballet, Tap & Modern
2026-07-08 09:45 - 11:15, 2026-07-01 09:45 - 11:15, 2026-06-24 09:45 - 11:15 | The Amelia Scott – The Green Room
Discover the joy of dance!
Our Pre School classes are designed to nurture listening skills, memory, coordination through imaginative dance exercises. Each week, your little one might jump like a frog on the farm, splash at the seaside or soar into outer space, all while exploring our exciting class themes and engaging props.
Every activity has purpose and progression behind it. Our exercises help prepare children for the prestigious ISTD dance syllabus, taught by our fully qualified ISTD teachers. As a school, we also provide classes across Tunbridge Wells and provide the dance provision at Homewood House and Somerhill Schools.
https://www.justdanceuk.co.uk/1-to-4-years
Just Dance is not affiliated to The Amelia Scott, if you have any queries please visit their website above.

Perspectives by Scotts Project Trust
2026-07-02 - 2026-08-26 | The Amelia Scott – The Green Room
Through colour, texture and imagination, the art students at the well-known Scotts Project Trust have transformed their vision of the outdoor world into beautiful artwork.
From recreating subjects such as spring meadows to coral reefs, nature has inspired their work in this exhibition. Come and see their vision!
Creating art is an immersive and therapeutic experience, a tactile and sensory process which encourages sharing and communication and helps with developing patience and dexterity. Art offers so much joy and self-expression to adults with learning disabilities and to us all.
Residents and day services users at Scotts enjoy regular art workshops to create multi-media and mixed media artworks including textiles, paint, textures, ceramics and papier mache. Just some of their talented output is on display here.
Alison, one of the artists, says: “I enjoy using the different techniques of art. I love that our work will be on display for the public to see. I like how we have done group projects together and made something as a team, as well as our own.”
The Scotts Project TrustA well‑established charity based in Tonbridge, Kent, dedicated to supporting adults with learning disabilities to realise their potential and live fulfilled, happy lives. Founded in 1990 by Jill and Denis Scott, the charity has grown to become a vital local provider of specialist support services, guided by a strong ethos of respect, choice and independence.
Scotts offers a range of interconnected services designed to meet people at different stages of their lives. These include high‑quality residential care, supported living accommodation and vibrant day services focused on life skills, creativity and wellbeing. Individuals are encouraged to develop confidence, build meaningful relationships and take an active role in their local community.
To find out more about the Trust and for volunteer and support opportunities, please visit www.scottsproject.org.uk.

Dr Ian's Moth Morning - June
2026-06-27 10:00 - 12:30 | The Amelia Scott – Lower Atrium
Step into the fascinating world of moths at The Amelia Scott with local entomologist Dr Ian Beavis!
Using a specially designed moth-friendly trap, Dr Beavis will safely capture local and visiting moth species and display them in the Welcome Hall for visitors to observe up close.
This hands-on morning is perfect for anyone curious about nature, from casual observers to budding entomologists. Learn about the variety of moths found in the area, their life cycles, habits, and the important role they play in our local ecosystem.
Join us for an engaging, family-friendly session that combines science, discovery, and a sense of wonder – see the hidden nocturnal world of moths revealed in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.

Sensing Culture: Group for blind & partially sighted adults
2026-06-26 10:30 - 12:30 | The Amelia Scott – Residency Studio
Blind and partially sighted adults are invited to explore The Amelia’s collections through touch, sound and imagination.
Our Sensing Culture workshops offer a relaxed, creative environment where you can experience objects up close, discover new stories and enjoy making art together.
Sessions take place monthly, on the last Friday of each month, from 10:30am to 12:30pm, in the Artist Residency Studio at The Amelia Scott.
What to expect
• Object Handling: Explore authentic museum objects through guided touch with support from our trained staff.
• Tactile Tours: Take part in sensory-led journeys through our galleries and private tours of temporary exhibitions.
• Creative Making: Try out different materials and create your own artwork inspired by the collection.
No previous art experience needed.
If you’d like to join or want to know more, please contact Wendy Daws:
– wendy.daws@kab.org.uk
– 01622 691357 (Kent Association for the Blind)
Wendy will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Saturday Morning Adventurers - A Dungeons & Dragons group for Women
2026-06-20 10:00 - 13:00 | The Amelia Scott – Residency Studio
Always wanted to try Dungeons and Dragons, but not been able to find the right group, or not sure where to start?
The Amelia Scott runs a women only Dungeons & Dragons sessions every third Saturday of each month
The group is for women 18+ and is FREE to join.
From 10am till 1pm, join us for monsters, magic, and mayhem
No experience needed, and we’ve got everything you need — just bring your imagination and some dice!
Places are limited to a maximum of 8 so book your place now!
Contact Dan at daniel.huckfield@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Making Language: Emma Smith
2026-01-10 - 2026-08-31 | The Amelia Scott – Upper Atrium
Discover how language shapes justice in Emma Smith’s Making Language, an exhibition imagining fairer futures through law, art, and community voices.
This exhibition asks how laws are shaped and whose voices shape them. Working with communities across Kent and Professor of Law Diamond Ashiagbor (University of Kent 2018-2025, University of Birmingham since 2025), artist Emma Smith examines the gap between human rights and lived experience.
The work takes the form of a series of future proposals to close this gap, accompanied by a contemplative structure installed in the upper atrium. Inspired by Amelia Scott’s fight for equality, Making Language draws on the UK’s oldest book of written law, the Textus Roffensis, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to imagine a fairer future. Each piece is collectively authored with its text presented in a state of readiness for illumination at the point each statement becomes a reality.
Created with Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN), Gillingham Street Angels, Family Action Medway Pregnancy to Three, and Soroptimist International Tunbridge Wells and District.
Commissioned by The Amelia Scott as part of the Kent & Medway Museum Partnership NPO, funded by Arts Council England.
Please note this exhibition will be closed 3 – 9 March.
