Bantock House Museum will later this month (October) welcome back the popular Hogarth Puppets exhibition.

The display will return from Saturday, October 24 until Sunday, January 31. Admission to the exhibition, house and grounds off Finchfield Road (WV3 9LQ) is free.

The Hogarth Puppets, most famous for TV star Muffin the Mule, became Britain’s best-known puppet company at home and abroad.

Founded in 1932 by Jan Bussell and Ann Hogarth they started their careers with the earliest puppetry on television. Their shows aired live on Saturday evenings during the 1930s from a caravan theatre outside the BBC headquarters and during World War II, the London County Council commissioned them to entertain children in London parks which continued well after the war. The Hogarth Puppets toured internationally with their string puppets regularly visiting Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe.

This exhibition looks at a range of their puppets including their most famous creation.

Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “The house is an iconic feature in Wolverhampton and entices thousands of visitors each year. We are happy that we have been able to open in a Covid-safe way so that visitors can enjoy the house and park once again.

“The puppet exhibitions always prove popular at our venues and it is great to see that this exhibition will be open just in time for half term for all to enjoy along with something tasty from the Courtyard Cafe.

“While we want visitors to enjoy the property, and experience arts and culture once again, I ask that visitors follow the Government guidance to ensure the safety of our staff and other venue users.”

Bantock House Museum is open Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 5pm (last entry 4.20pm). The Courtyard Café is open seven days a week from 9am to 4pm.

To ensure that your visit is safe for both staff and visitors there are some changes that you will see, such as booked self-guided tours (that can be booked on arrival at reception), social distancing measures, track and trace questions on arrival, face covering, hand sanitiser stations and allocated toilets. Where possible we ask that contactless payments are made.

A video is available at www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/visit/bantock to outline what to expect when you visit.