Lady Chatterley’s Cover: The Book Designs of Stephen Russ
2026-05-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-16 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-20 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-21 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-23 10:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) and 6 more dates | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
The post-war book designs of artist and teacher, Stephen Russ, are coming to life at Chippenham Museum.
From the forties to the seventies, Russ produced dozens of dust jackets, from striking first editions of Graham Greene at Bodley Head to a wide range of titles at Collins, including nature books and the famous Collins Crime Club.
He is perhaps best known for his work with Penguin, designing covers for the main orange series, the lesser-known music scores, and the highly collectible Penguin Poets series. His phoenix motif for DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover became famous during the 1960 obscenity trial and featured in the marketing that helped make the book a bestseller.
The exhibition also celebrates Russ’s thirty-year career as a tutor at the renowned Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, brought together with the generous support of the Russ family and loans from the Penguin Archive and the University of Bristol.

Thursday Craft Club
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-04 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-11 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-06-25 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-02 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-09 16:00 - 17:00, 2026-07-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Chippenham Museum, 9-10 Market Pl, Chippenham, SN15 3HF, United Kingdom
Calling all 8 to 11 year olds! Join Chippenham Museum and get creative in our new Thursday Craft Club. Inspired by the history of the town and the Museum’s collection, take part and learn new skills while having lots of messy fun.
Starting on Thursday 16 April, this club runs from 4pm to 5pm every Thursday during term time. All materials are provided, and sessions cost £4 each, payable on a termly basis.
Places are limited, so booking is essential. Please see below for the scheduled sessions and termly costs.
Term 5, Thursday 16 April – Thursday 21 May
Term cost of 6 weekly sessions: £24
Term 6, Thursday 4 June – Thursday 16 July
Term cost of 7 weekly sessions: £28
Weekly Thursdays, term time only
4pm – 5pm
£4 per session, to be paid termly
To find out about membership, contact the Museum on heritage@chippenham.gov.uk

REME Museum Extravaganza
2026-06-27 10:00 - 16:30 | REME Museum, Calne Road, MOD Lyneham, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX, United Kingdom
Mark your calendars for the REME Museum Extravaganza, in celebration of Armed Forces Day 2026!
This fun-filled open day is a celebration of everything that it means to be part of the REME Family. The event takes place throughout the entire museum grounds, including the galleries, Education Suite, outdoor spaces and gardens and of course Crown’s Café!
Expect even bigger and better things this year, as we combine a Summer Fete with Armed Forces Day, for an exciting day out for all the family with loads to get involved in!
You can expect:-

Summer Fete style games like hook-a-duck, basketball throw, mini golf and more
Inflatable games, including fan favourite axe-throwing
Displays, exhibitions and equipment from REME’s local units including 8 Training Battalion REME and the School of Army Aeronautical Engineering (SAAE) Lyneham
Historic recovery vehicles from the museum’s collection
Stalls from local businesses and charities
REME Charity prize raffle

Please note: Many displays and equipment are provided by active REME units and are subject to operational requirements. As such, there may be changes with minimal notice. We aim to update visitors of any major changes in advance on the REME Museum website.
Crown’s Café will be open to visitors with a ticket to the event, offering a limited lunchtime menu, plus tea, coffee and cake of course! Additional catering vans will also be on-site offering food to purchase throughout the weekend.
Free parking will be available in the museum’s large car park, visitors are asked to please reserve a parking space if you need one in advance. Blue Badge spaces are available on a first-come-first-served basis and you must have reserved a parking space online. If you can, please consider travelling by alternative means.
Dogs are welcome on the museum grounds but are not allowed inside the building, with the exception of assistance dogs.
