Learn about the Island’s maritime innovations over the past 150 years using the museum’s fantastic collections. Find out about famous local innovators and adventurers such as Uffa Fox, whose airborne lifeboat saved the lives of WW2 air crew, Blanche Coules Thornycroft’s ground-breaking hull designs and Joe Carstairs – the fastest woman on water in the 1920s. Inspired by boats in the museum, students will take part in a challenge to create a Lego boat to help them learn about buoyancy. They will also learn how sailors communicated with each other in the past.
We recommend that the visit takes in both sites but the workshop can be taught in the East Cowes gallery if necessary. (Suggested route & timings: 10-11am Boat Shed tour, floating bridge crossing from West Cowes, early lunch at East Cowes gallery, 12-2pm museum trail and workshop.)
Discover free activities to support your visit.
About the Classic Boat Museum
Explore maritime history with 100 boats and models at the museum’s two Cowes-based sites – one housed in the iconic Columbine Building with its Union Jack doors in East Cowes, the other under the Hammerhead Crane in West Cowes’ historic shipyard. The museum’s East Cowes gallery tells the story with models and artefacts while the West Cowes Boat Shed has the real boats! We recommend schools visit both sites – each a short walk from the Floating Bridge.
Key information
Level: Key stage 1 and 2
Curriculum links: History, Science, English
Duration: Workshops and tour of two sites: 4 hours, suggested 10-2pm including travel time on the floating Bridge between East and West Cowes. Workshop and tour of one site: 2hrs
Pupil numbers: 32 (max)
Cost: Workshop and tour of both sites: £6.50/pupil; Workshop and tour of one site: £5.50/pupil (£100 min. charge for either workshop option)
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