The brilliant North Herts Museum in Hitchin has confirmed when it will be reopening.

The museum has been closed to visitors since the third national lockdown earlier this year - but during that time, museum staff have been busy preparing for exhibitions for the reopening, which is finally here!

North Herts District Council revealed the museum will reopen its doors to the public on Tuesday, May 18.

Steve Crowley, NHDC's service director said: "We are very pleased we are able to reopen the museum again to the public and encourage everyone to come along and enjoy what it has to offer."

Visitor safety is a high priority and a number of Covid safety measures have been put in place – including a one-way system around the site and hand sanitisers throughout the building. The wearing of masks is required for all visitors, unless they are exempt.

The site on Brand Street will throw open its doors to the excellent exhibition Frozen In Time – Early Photographs of North Herts, which will run until 27 June.

The must-see exhibition will feature a series of 48 photographs of North Herts in Victorian and Edwardian times from the museum's collections.

The fascinating images of towns and villages in the district offer a snapshot into the daily lives of people who lived and worked there during those eras.

Families with young children will be delighted to hear that the next exhibition will be The Tiger Who Came to Tea, launching on 7 July – an exhibition celebrating the classic children's book by Judith Kerr, and an opportunity to meet the tiger from the book and have tea with him!

The museum is free to visit and open from 10.30am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and Sunday 11am to 3pm. Refreshments and a gift shop are available.

The museum is located at 14 Brand Street, Hitchin, Herts. Call 01462 474554 for more information.