As the snow had nearly disappeared and the sun was shining my husband and I caught a bus into Brighton and then another along to Hove Museum and Art Gallery. We were amazed to see in the grounds the Jaipur Gate – now learnt it had been built for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in South Kensington in 1886. Apparently it was donated to the Museum and erected in the gardens in 1926.
We were warmly welcomed (free entry) and went upstairs to the area all about photography and film – extremely interesting. We sat in a tiny (6 seats) replica of a cinema and watched old black and white film of Brighton in the old days. A group of Japanese youngsters popped their heads in and made a remark and when my husband spoke, they almost collapsed with shock, then laughter. We think they'd thought we were part of the mock-up.
Some of my favourite paintings were those depicting the five senses. The Wizard's Attic was an amazing room, packed with dolls, mechanical toys, miniature trains, cars etc back from the 1700s to the present day. I shall make a point of taking our grandchildren there another time. So many drawers children can open to see more exhibits.
As for the jewellery, scarves, dishes, and so many wonderful pieces of craftwork – I could have spent much more time there than we did. The cafe looked very inviting too. An excellent place to visit – and compact too.
