The Cabinet of Curiosities at Ayscoughfee Hall

Venue Ayscoughfee Hall Museum
Date 29th & 30th October 2026
Event Immersive Art Installation
An image of a young boy exploring the Cabinet of Curiosities, hanging a tag with his comment on to one of the cabinets' colourful handles
The Info

Having made its debut appearance at the Spalding Pumpkin Festival in October 2026, the Cabinet of Curiosities will now be touring the town and its surrounding areas over the next few months!

Peer inside its drawers, take part in creative activities, explore its many treasures, and contribute your own memories.

The Cabinet will next be appearing at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, in the Garden Room on Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October, 11am-3pm.

Created by artist Steven Hatton Electric Egg in collaboration with Transported and Spalding Gentlemen’s Society, this extraordinary travelling cabinet is packed with hidden treasures, curious objects, heritage-inspired artworks and hands-on activities celebrating the rich history of South Holland and the collections of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society Museum.

An activity for all ages, no booking required and free – perfect if you’re looking for budget-friendly half term fun in Spalding!

Explore the cabinet to uncover fascinating artefacts and themed collections, discover artwork inspired by Spalding’s ARTeFACT Trail, and try your hand at brass rubbing using the decorative plaques built into the cabinet.
You can also have a go at making your own zoetrope – an early method to create animations and moving illustrated pictures by using a sequence of drawings.

Members of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society team will also be joining us, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the museum's remarkable collection, ask questions, and find out about exciting future plans while the museum building undergoes renovation.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October 2026
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Drop in, no booking needed
Location: Garden Room, Ayscoughfee Hall Museum & Gardens, Spalding
Cost: Free

The project is possible thanks to SoundLincs' Future of the Past project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, made possible thanks to National Lottery players. The project is also supported by Transported through Arts Council England's Creative People and Places programme, funded by the National Lottery.

29th & 30th
October2026
Cabinet of Curiosities at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum | Free Half-Term Activity in SpaldingExplore the Cabinet of Curiosities in Spalding this half term. Free family activities, heritage treasures, crafts and hands-on fun.
11am-3pmThe Garden Room, Ayscoughfee Hall Museum
A close up image of children's hands, using crayons to create a coloured, layered spiral
Image of a young girl in a pink jumper gets involved in an arts activity, assisted by a friendly smiling male member of the Spalding Gentleman Society's team
A close up image of a participants hand using a phone and app to animate an ARTeFACT trail artwork on the Cabinet of Curiosities. The ARTeFACT trail is an augmented-reality trail in Spalding Lincolnshire inspired by items in the Spalding Gentlemen Society's museum collection
A young girl with a rainbow face painting smiles at the camera showing her brass rubbing picture in front of the Cabinet of Curiosities in Spalding
A close up image of vintage photograph in a frame, a part of the Spalding Gentlemen Society Museum's collection on a table with other artefacts
Image of the Cabinet of Curiosities, in front of arts organisation Transported's gazebo. The cabinet is made of dark wood, ornate carvings, decorative handles and colourful artwork featuring fish on the front
A young smiling man with dark blonde hair, glasses and a smart beard demonstrates how zoetropes work to two children
A close up image of a child hanging a brown label to one of the Cabinet of Curiosities colourful interactive knobs
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