Dickens: 'First lines' - drop-in activity for National Year of Reading 2026

Saturday 1 August and Friday 21 August 2026

Drop in activity - 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm

Join us in our pop-up ‘National Year of Reading’ book space to channel the spirit of Dickens’s public readings. Grab one of our novels and declaim your favourite first lines - or key scenes - at a replica of his famous reading desk. Put on a top hat or dress in character with our costumes and props. Make it the best of times and be sure that you ask for more (to read)! We’ll have a selection of fact and fiction Dickens works out for you to consult and knowledgeable staff on hand to support.

Suitable for ages 8-88(!) years 

Open on the day to holders of tickets for the historic house