Use your senses and simple experiments to find out about the properties of fabrics.

• How are fabrics made?
• What impact do fabrics and fashion have on the planet?
• How has clothing changed over time?

Discover the answers to these questions and many more during this hands-on interactive workshop.

Science, Sustainability, History

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

Conduct a scientific exploration of the M&S Chocolate Melt in the Middle pudding.

Ponder the problem of a liquid centre and get stuck into the science that makes the pudding possible, including investigating ingredients like emulsifiers.

Learn how to make ice cream in a bag and conduct a sensory analysis… yum!

D&T Food and Nutrition.

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

Explore the challenges and chemistry of the M&S Chocolate Melt in the Middle Pudding.

Find out about this amazing feat of food technology that’s become an iconic M&S product… and yes, there will be a taste test!

Learn about ingredients and where they come from, then think like a food technologist and invent an innovative pudding product.

Science, D&T.

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

What is a brand? What is advertising and how does it work?

Use primary sources from the archive collection to explore past and present advertising at M&S.

Then use your new knowledge to create and film a TV advert!

Media, Business Studies.

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

Hunt for design inspiration in the Archive exhibition, sketching ideas on your mood board.

Design and make your own food packaging inspired by our collection of archive designs and current M&S innovation.

Find out more about recycling and how we can all help to save the planet.

D&T, Geography.

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

M&S has humble beginnings. How does a business grow from a pedlar’s pack to be a global retailer?

Using primary sources and business case studies as inspiration, and tasked with pitching your own enterprising idea, you will use a range of skills and gain an understanding of enterprise in action.

This workshop is now fully booked, please contact us to join the waiting list.

Use primary sources and hands-on activities to learn about changes in our diet over the last 100 years. Activities encourage thinking about where food comes from and how far it travels to reach us.

Learners will analyse their own favourites and use their new knowledge to design a meal for a child in the past or the future!

History, Science.

We can accommodate up to 20 learners plus accompanying adults at one time, the minimum number is 16 learners. If fewer than 16 learners are booked on to a workshop, then we will re-schedule. 

If a workshop is fully booked, please contact us and we will add you to the waiting list. As places become available, they will be offered on a first come, first served basis.  

There is level access throughout the exhibition, and we have an accessible toilet. If you’re planning a visit with learners with SEND, we’ll work with you to make sure everyone has the best possible experience, just get in touch. 

We have a visual story and sensory map here to help you prepare for your visit. 

Yes, we’ve changed how our Home Education programme works. Due to overwhelming demand, we’ve moved away from ad hoc workshops for pre-arranged groups to a fixed programme that families can book as individuals.  

You can read our Safeguarding Policy here. Risk assessments for workshops are available on request. 

There are two Blue Badge car parking spaces outside the Archive, but no other car parking is available on site. 

So where can you park? There are 4-hour limited free parking spaces close to us at the eastern end of Woodsley Road and northern end of Belle Vue Road. There’s unlimited, free, on-street parking on the streets off Royal Park Road (10 mins walk). Have a look at our parking information for a map.

Workshops take place in the exhibition and our Learning Room. We have toilets adjacent to the Learning Room, including baby change and an accessible toilet. If you’d like to bring your own food to eat before or after the workshop, we have a small indoor picnic space. If the weather allows there are also picnic tables and seating outside.