Behind The Scenes Tour

The Box is opening its doors for a Behind The Scenes Tour on Thursday 14 January, a chance to see the parts of the building that usually stay hidden from the public. It's led by a member of the archives team, so you're being shown around by someone who actually works with the stuff they keep back there, rather than a general guide.

The tour takes you into the research room, down into the basement and through the stores, where you'll see how the institution manages and protects its collections. Along the way, they'll explain why it was so important to bring Plymouth's most historically significant archives together under one roof, alongside the permanent collections from the former City Museum and Art Gallery. If you've spent time in the galleries, this is the other side of the coin: the storage and the systems that keep everything safe and accessible.

It's not the only thing The Box does of this sort, either. They regularly programme talks and tours that let you dig deeper into their exhibitions, and some of them are designed for people wanting to explore their own family history, so if you're into local archives, this is a good way to get a feel for how they work. Just a heads-up on the practical side: the route includes stairs and some enclosed spaces, so keep that in mind before you book.

The tour runs from 10.30 to 11.30am, so it's about an hour long, and you'll need to meet by the Welcome Desk on the day. Tickets are £10.00.