Join us for a family take-over of the Painted Hall. On the third Sunday of the month, we’ll be setting up activity stations throughout the hall to encourage every member, and all ages, of your family to get stuck in, play, create and learn together. So, whether you’re an artist in training, a construction maverick, history-lover or can simply never resist a costume, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

Every month the activities will respond to a different theme related to our site’s history, from Art and Architecture to Sailors and Pirates to Film and TV (to name just a few!), so each month, you’ll get to see the hall in a new way.

Alongside our activities inside the hall, we will also be running free drop-in activities in additional spaces linked to the month’s theme. For our upcoming sessions, these will be arts and crafts based sessions in our King William Undercroft Café, underneath the Painted Hall. So why not grab a drink, and maybe a slice of cake too, and get creative with the whole family?

Painted Hall Activity Stations

• Sit and Sketch – A chance to sit, relax, and look up as you take in the artistry around you. Borrow a sketchbook and pencil (or bring your own), and get inspired by our prompt cards as you draw together. 
• Build and Connect – Surrounded by Wren’s incredible buildings, get your chance to build together and create your own architectural masterpiece  
• Dress-up  – Step into history through costume and become historical characters connected to the monthly theme 
• Curiosity Corner – Run by our very own Collections team, get hands-on with history and learn about what it takes to look after historical items and buildings *Please note: There will be no Curiosity Corner on Sunday 21 June (Film and TV)  
• Ask and Explore – Lookout for a member of our Visitor Experience and Volunteer team who will be ready and waiting for all your questions about what you can see around you. A chance to get inquisitive and learn the stories of the Painted Hall, with no question too big or too small.
• Storytelling – Coming Soon! Two chances to catch a 20-minute interactive story linked to the month’s theme. Get comfy in the Painted Hall and let your imagination lead the way.

Schedule 

Activities begin from 11am, and will wind down from 3.30pm, with last Family Day entry to Painted Hall advised at 3pm. 

• Sunday 17 May – Sailors and Explorers
• Sunday 21 June – Film and TV (Painted Hall Early Closure, 3pm)
• Sunday 20 September – Navy and War
• Sunday 18 October – Myths and Symbols
• Sunday 15 November – Art and Architecture
• Sunday 20 December – Crowns and Palaces

*Currently, there will not be a standard Family Day on Sunday 19 July or Sunday 16 August. On Sunday 21 June the Family Day will finish at 3pm due to an early closure of the Painted Hall. 

Family Day Film Tour offer

Exclusively for families joining us for our monthly family day, we’re pleased to offer a discounted ticket for our Spies, Sleuths and Superheroes Film Tour. A fun-filled adventure, inviting you to step in the footsteps of some of Film and TV’s leading stars who’ve filmed here at the Old Royal Naval College – complete with an interactive element, revealing one of the secrets of the Painted Hall itself.

Offer pricing is as follows:

• £6 for adults
• £6.50 for child
• £18.75 for a family ticket

Please Note: 

• • Due to current lift issues, the Upper Hall only is wheelchair accessible. Family Day activities will be replicated across both Lower Hall and Upper Hall to accommodate this
  • In addition, due to current lift restrictions, we kindly ask that buggies are stored in the Café buggy park, and not taken into the hall
  • Activities in the Painted Hall require a general admission ticket or Annual Pass to access
  • Drop-In crafts in the KW Café are free, and on a first come, first served basis.
  • You are welcome to bring your own small sketchbook and pencil for use in the hall. Due to the nature of the space, we currently only allow standard black/grey HB pencils to be used in the Painted Hall