Make Your Own Dragon Linstock

The Mary Rose Museum is running a Make Your Own Dragon Linstock workshop throughout the October half-term, from 26 to 30 October, with sessions running 11:00am to 3:00pm each day. It's held in the museum's learning centre, so it's a drop-in activity you can fit around your visit rather than a separate ticketed event.

If you've never heard of a linstock, it's a bit of a niche piece of naval history. Back when cannons were fired with slow-burning fuses, a linstock was the decorated wooden pole used to hold the lit match, keeping the gunner at a safe distance from the blast. Each gun captain would decorate his own, and a dragon's head was a popular choice for the top. This workshop lets you make your own cardboard version, which you then finish with a fiery dragon's head to light up Halloween. If you want yours to actually glow, there's a battery tea light you can buy for £1 to slot inside.

Because it's in the learning centre, it's a good one for families with kids during the half-term break. You can spend some time with the ship first and then head over to make something you can actually take home. The activity runs every day from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, 11:00am to 3:00pm, so you've got plenty of options for when to swing by. It's free with a valid museum ticket, and booking is recommended.