Out and about this weekend

Captain RF Scotts Hut Exterior © New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust

Your guide to what's on around Britain this weekend

Tom Burrows has compiled some of the most interesting events and exhibitions open to the public this weekend. Whether you have an interest in photography, watercolour painting from the Enlightenment period or the cotton trade, there’s bound to be something for everyone this weekend. Highlights include an AC/DC exhibition in Scotland, a history of vehicles used by surfers and the opening of Captain Scott exhibitions at London and Cardiff.

London

Exhibition: Scott’s Last Expedition
National History Museum
Until 2 September 2012
020 7942 5000
www.nhm.ac.uk

This exhibition explores the fascinating story of Captain Scott’s last expedition to Antarctica in 1910–1913. It features a life-sized representation of Scott’s hut at Cape Evans, over 200 rare specimens and a number of items, such as skis, food, tools, diaries and clothes, that are being shown for the very first time.

See images from the exhibition on our online slideshow

Show: Kindertransport (by Diane Samuels)
Jewish Museum
22 January
020 7284 7384
www.jewishmuseum.org.uk

Kindertransport is a moving story of nine-year-old Eva Schlesinger who, in 1939, along with 10,000 other children, was rescued from Nazi Europe. Raised by an English woman, Eva is left torn between her new life in Britain and her German heritage. Over 40 years later, her daughter, Faith, discovers some old letters in the attic and Evelyn, as she now calls herself, is confronted with her hidden past. This is a special performance to mark the Holocaust Memorial events.

Event: Kye History
HMS Belfast
21–22 January
020 7416 5497
www.iwm.org.uk

Find out more about the story of HMS Belfast and the company that sailed her on various journeys across the world. ‘Kye’ is a naval term for grated cocoa so why not enjoy a sip of naval hot chocolate during your visit?

South and South East

Exhibition: Persecution and Survival
Museum of Oxford, Oxford
Until 10 March 2012
01865 252761
www.museumofoxford.org.uk

This exhibition explores the life of Professor Paul Jacobsthal, an archaeologist who left Nazi Germany for Oxford in 1936. Find out about life as a refugee in the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford through film, oral history, smell and family craft activities.

West

Exhibition: An Eye for Fashion: Norman Parkinson Photographs British Designers 1954–1964
M Shed, Harbourside, Bristol
Until 15 April 2012
0117 352 6600
http://mshed.org/

This eye-catching exhibition examines the vintage photography of Norman Parkinson, a significant portrait and fashion photographer in the 20th century. His pictures capture the glamour, beauty and timeless elegance of the 1950s and 1960s.

Exhibition: Roger Fenton and Julia Margaret Cameron: Early British Photographs from the Royal Collection
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter
Until 1 April 2012
01392 265 858
www.rammuseum.org.uk

This exhibition looks at photographs of two of Britain’s most accomplished photographers of the 19th century: Roger Fenton (1819–1869) and Julia Margaret Cameron (1812–1879). Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were heavily involved in the early photographic world, amassing a number of works from the leading photographers of the day. Here we see some of those most famous works on display.

East

Exhibition: Triumph, Protection and Dreams: The East African Headrest in Context
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Until 5 February 2012
01223 332900
www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk

Find out about the history, function and significance of the headrest – from ancient Egypt to west and central Africa. In many African cultures, headrests have been used as pillows, hair protectors and status symbols.

Talk: Buried Talk: The Investigation, Preservation, and Presentation of Once-Concealed Garments
Colchester Castle Museum, Colchester
21 January 2012
01206 282939
www.cimuseums.org.uk

This talk examines the reasons why people deliberately hid their items of clothing within the walls of buildings. It particularly focuses on Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries. The presentation is given by Dinah Eastop and Kate Gill.

Exhibition: Shelf Lives: Four Centuries of Collectors and Their Books
Cambridge University Library
Until 16 June 2012
01223 332300
www.lib.cam.ac.uk

With more than eight million items on its shelves, Cambridge University Library is one of the largest in Europe, and one of the most important in the world. In this exhibition, a number of rare items will be made available to the public, including the eighth-century Moore Bede manuscript and early Western printed books such as the Nuremberg Chronicle.

Heart of England

Exhibition: Wheels and Waves
Coventry Transport Museum
Until 18 March 2012
024 7623 4270
www.transport-museum.com

This exhibition is a display of vehicles used by British surfers since the advent of the Beach Boys in the early 1960s to the present day. The highlights include a 1968 Split-Screen Dodge Camper, a range of VW Campers and Beetles, and some iconic ‘woodie’ cars.

North East

Exhibition: Beyond the Great Wave
Durham University Oriental Museum
Until 27 May 2012
0191 334 5694
www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/

The print designer and painter, Katsushika Hokusai, is one of Japan’s most well-known artists, for famous works such as Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. However, Hokusai also illustrated more than 270 books and his impressive collection is shown here.

Yorkshire

Exhibition: Outposts: Donovan Wylie
National Media Museum, Bradford
Until 19 February 2012
0844 856 3797
www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk

This exhibition shows a selection of photos taken from the British artist, Donovan Wylie. His pictures provide a revealing record of modern military architecture. His work came as a result of his time with Canadian forces in Afghanistan.

Wales

Exhibition: Captain Scott: South for Science
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
Until 14 May 2012
029 2039 7951
www.museumwales.ac.uk

Captain Scott’s Antarctic Expedition (1910–1913) was more than just an attempt to reach the South Pole. It also made important scientific inroads. For instance, geologists surveyed and mapped unknown lands; biologists studied and collected penguins, eggs and seals; meteorologists recorded the weather and atmospheric conditions; and physicists researched the formation of ice and the movement of glaciers. In this exhibition, a selection of specimens will be on show to the public.

Scotland

Exhibition: Rock On! AC/DC: Scotland’s Famous Jewels
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Until 12 February 2012
0141 353 8000
www.glasgowlife.org.uk

An exploration into the 37-year career of AC/DC, and the only exhibition to ever have been approved by the band. Witness rare live footage of the band, as well as stage costumes and handwritten lyrics. The exhibition proved to be a roaring success in Melbourne, where 225,000 people visited it. This is the only European stop on the tour before it moves on to the United States.