Flower Fairies™: Enchantment by the Sea

Flower Fairies: Enchantment by the Sea is running at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth, and it's a proper look at the work of Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973). If you grew up with her Flower Fairies books, this is the full story behind them. The exhibition brings together original works from the books, preparatory sketches, and Barker's own personal sketchbooks, so you get to see how the finished illustrations actually came together.

One of the things that makes this one feel local is the Dorset connection. Barker painted landscapes from around the county—Swanage, Highcliffe, and Hengistbury Head—and they're featured here, so you'll recognise the scenery. There's also a bit of behind-the-scenes detail: the exhibition explains how she modelled her fairies on real children and how she balanced scientific botanical accuracy with the fantasy of the characters. It's that mix of the two that gave the series its particular charm.

The experience is meant to go beyond the gallery walls, too. The museum has plans to bring the exhibition into the gardens and other spaces around the site, with interactive elements to follow—they'll announce the full details of those as they're rolled out.

It's open from Saturday 28 March through to Sunday 4 October, during the museum's usual opening hours. You don't need to book in advance, and it's set up for families, art lovers, and anyone with a soft spot for fairies, so it works for all ages. The gallery is at East Cliff Promenade, BH1 3AA, with refreshments, toilets, and a drop-off/pick-up point on site. For costs, you'll need to contact the venue directly.