At the Booth

I don't know if you have ever visited this amazing museum, because if you haven't, then you surely should. The Booth Museum in Hove, Brighton is a natural history museum of the old school. Founded by Edward Booth in 1874 the museum is all about birds, butterflies, fossils, bones and skeletons. He donated the museum to the city in 1890, and it continues to feature Victorian-style dioramas of British birds in their habitat settings together with a huge collection of insects and other interesting exhibits.

From floor to ceiling, the museum contains glass case after glass case with a bewildering array of birds posing in their natural setting. Although fascinating to see, I am glad that this bird collecting isn't happening now, I don't know how our dwindling wildlife would cope. A little girl of no more than 4 years old, looked perplexed at an interactive display that I was helping her to read, and said very seriously 'It's sad - all these dead animals', bless her!

Walking around looking at all these different species of mainly British birds, it occurred to me that really on a day to day basis we rarely notice but a fraction of these wonderful species.

There was also this little unusual display, a Merboy!

Ben really enjoyed seeing all these Victorian displays, many over 150 years old.

A reproduction of Edward Booth's study

Over half a million specimens and natural history literature and data extending back over three centuries are housed in this fascinating museum. Specimens have been collected from around the world.

I do like birds eggs, there is something quite special about them. I love looking at collections of eggs in old antique books too. I made a display featuring British birds eggs a while back, which still hangs on the wall in the hall.

I have never seen quite such a display of skeletons in a compact area like this. All sorts of creatures:  human, birds, whales and many other animals.

Ben's new friend Fred!

Handsome chap, isn't he? Nice smile!

There are some spectacularly old specimens such as shells from the bottom of a 55 million year old Mediterranean lagoon, and a collection of dinosaur bones too.

All in all, a nice way to spend a couple of hours on a rainy day. Entrance is free, although a donation is always welcome. There is a small gift shop too. The afternoon ended with a well-deserved hot chocolate in the cafe on the opposite side of the road, before heading back home in the approaching dusk.