Families in Chichester are invited to Pallant House Gallery this October half term for a special storytelling and illustration workshop inspired by the children’s book The Wardrobe Monster.
The event, taking place on Thursday 29 October 2026, will be led by award-winning author and illustrator Bryony Thomson. A Macmillan Prize-shortlisted artist, Thomson will lead young participants through a “draw-along” session and storytelling performance based on her popular work, which explores childhood fears and the power of imagination.
The workshop is being held as part of Chichester’s Children’s Bookfest and in celebration of the National Year of Reading, highlighting the city’s commitment to youth literacy and the arts.
Session Times and Age Groups
To ensure the activities are tailored to different developmental stages, the gallery has scheduled two distinct sessions during the day:
- 11am: Aimed at children aged 4 to 7 years.
- 2pm: Aimed at children aged 4 to 11 years.
The sessions will take place in the gallery’s dedicated studio space. Tickets are priced at £5 per child, which includes all necessary art materials. In a move to support local families, accompanying parents and younger siblings under the age of four may attend the workshop free of charge.
Additional Half-Term Activities
Beyond the ticketed workshop, Pallant House Gallery is offering further activities for those visiting the city centre. A free ‘Cosmic Collage’ drop-in session will be available on the ground floor, allowing children to experiment with textures and shapes without the need for prior booking.
While admission to the main gallery exhibitions is free for all under-18s, the gallery recommends booking the Wardrobe Monster sessions in advance via their website due to limited studio capacity.
Pallant House Gallery is located at 9 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TJ. The gallery is fully accessible, and the on-site café will be open throughout the half-term period.
