Banbury Museum launches newest exhibit: See the World in Lego Bricks

Fans of Lego won't have to go far to check out the latest and rarest models with the launch of a new exhibition at the Banbury Museum.
By Matt Elofson
Published 6th Aug 2020, 17:47 GMT
Updated 6th Aug 2020, 17:54 GMT
The Houses of Parliament at The Brick Built Exhibition: See the World in Lego Bricks inside the Banbury Museum.(Pictured: Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the museum)The Houses of Parliament at The Brick Built Exhibition: See the World in Lego Bricks inside the Banbury Museum.(Pictured: Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the museum)
The Houses of Parliament at The Brick Built Exhibition: See the World in Lego Bricks inside the Banbury Museum.(Pictured: Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the museum)

The Brick Built Exhibition: See the World in Lego Bricks starts on Monday August 10 at the Banbury Museum.

The exhibit offers you the opportunity to walk among the latest and largest new models from the Houses of Parliament to the the Empire State Building to other old historical and original Lego models.

Dale Johnston, the exhibitions manager at the museum, said: "The exhibition models are built by one of Britain's best Lego builders, Warren Elsmore."

The exhibit includes multiple one of kind Lego models ranging from the Houses of Parliament model, which consists of around 12,000 Lego bricks, and took Warren Elsmore about five weeks to build.

One of the special parts of the exhibition is a model called the Steampunk Submarine, which Lego headquarters specially commissioned Warren Elsmore to build.

Dale added: "This is the first time it's been on public display outside Denmark (where Lego headquarters are located).

"One of the features of the exhibition is that it will appeal to adults as well as children because we've got historical models too. A lot of people don't realise the Lego company made wood toys long before the classic plastic brick."

Unikitty from the Lego Movie with Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the Banbury MuseumUnikitty from the Lego Movie with Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the Banbury Museum
Unikitty from the Lego Movie with Dale Johnston exhibitions manager at the Banbury Museum

The exhibition also includes displays of original wood toys made by Lego like a pull-along duck.

Lego fans can also see a display of some of the original Lego figurines. Among the displays are two examples of the Lego figures for two of the company's employees.

Dale explained the Lego staff get their own personalised Lego figure, which looks exactly like them with their names on them instead of a business card.

The exhibition also includes a life-sized Lego model of Unikitty, a character from the Lego Movie.

Steampunk Submarine, which was commissioned to be built by Warren Elsmore. First time on public display outside Lego Headquarters.Steampunk Submarine, which was commissioned to be built by Warren Elsmore. First time on public display outside Lego Headquarters.
Steampunk Submarine, which was commissioned to be built by Warren Elsmore. First time on public display outside Lego Headquarters.

While the exhibition starts on Monday August 10 it finishes on Sunday November 1.

Due to the unforeseen circumstances of COVID-19 and keeping in line with health and safety the museum has had to remove the interactive element to the exhibition, therefore the hands-on stations will not be available as originally planned. But they have reduced the entry price to this exhibition accordingly.

Cost to the Lego exhibition is £2.50 per person. All children under the age of two are free.

Dale said: "We've rearranged the programme for the exhibit. Our exhibition was going to be Vikings, which will still happen but in two years time.

LEGO minifiguresLEGO minifigures
LEGO minifigures

"We've had to make some changes because of COVID. We've made every effort to make it a safe environment with things like making the route wider around the exhibit, hand sanitiser stations and setting up a one-way system for walking around the exhibit and the museum."

The museum will also be limiting the number of people into the exhibit to keep up with social distancing.

All visits to the exhibition will need to be booked at least a day in advance (before 8pm).

To book your ticket use the following web link: https://bookwhen.com/banburymuseumTickets are sold in hour time slots and are limited to control distancing measures within the gallery. There will be no walk-ins for the exhibition.

The museum asks all visitors to wear a face mask, use the hand sanitiser on entry and exit, maintain your distance within the museum and galleries.

The museum will be open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday. People are encouraged to enter the museum through its shop entrance inside the Castle Quay Shopping Centre.

Close-up of the LEGO minifiguresClose-up of the LEGO minifigures
Close-up of the LEGO minifigures

Dale added: "We've had to make changes to adapt to the COVID situation. It's nice for the town to have something like to enjoy. It's the kind of exhibition that puts a smile on your face.

"Families will be looking out for great places to go with children. It's nearby, it's safe and it's good value for your money. So let's hope lots of people come out support us."

For more information on the exhibition or Banbury Museum see their website here: https://www.banburymuseum.org/The Banbury Museum has also added a Lego trail around their permanent exhibition, which includes displays about the history of Banbury. Children who go to the permanent exhibition at the museum can try and spot the small Lego models around the museum.

Dale added: They're a little humorous as well. There's one with a Storm Trooper doing his gardening and another with Chewy Bacco in a hot tub. It's a fun challenge for the children and gives the parents more time to enjoy the exhibit too."

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