Easter Half Term at GHT
Exhibitions, Free, In Person, Workshops
Monday 30th March 9:00am – Monday 13th April 2026 4:00pm
God's House Tower, Town Quay Road, Southampton, SO14 2NY
Looking for family fun this Easter holiday? Why not visit GHT? We have a range of affordable and free activities and exhibitions to explore, including our free Easter Trail, the Tower Experience (where kids go free), and our latest exhibition RAFTS (free admission), alongside a variety of workshops for all ages.
While you’re here, why not relax in our café bar? We’re excited to be collaborating with sandwich kings LOAF. Expect free tasters on Good Friday, with plenty of delicious options available throughout the two weeks.
Opening Hours:
GHT is open every day from Monday 30th March – Monday 13th April
- Monday: 09:00 – 16:00
- Tuesday: 10:00 – 16:00
- Wednesday: 10:00 – 16:00
- Thursday: 10:00 – 16:00
- Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
- Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
- Sunday: 10:00 – 16:00
Easter Half Term Workshops
| Date | Activity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday | RAFTS Exhibition by Alistair Debling | Free |
| Everyday | Stories Behind the Stones Exhibition | Kids Go Free |
| Everyday | GHT Easter Trail | Free |
| Thursday 2nd April, 11am – 12:30pm | Art Waves Kids Club: Ocean Mobiles | £12.50 |
| Saturday 4th April, 10:30am – 1:30pm | Make Your Own Easter Bunny Hat with Sharlotte Wardner | £5 |
| Thursday 9th April, 1pm – 3:30pm | Tetra Pak Printing Demo & Workshop with Mandy Smith (16+) | £35 (only 4 spaces available) |
| Friday 10th April, 10:30am – 12:30pm | Make Your Own Bracelet or Pendant with Stephanie James | £5 |
| Friday 10th April, 2:30pm – 4pm | Art Waves Kids Club: Wishes for the Earth Paper Pop-Ups | £12.50 |
| Saturday 11th April, 1:30pm – 3:30pm | Strange Blooms: A Paper Collage Workshop | £6 |
| Sunday 12th April, 1:30pm – 3pm | Lets Make a Zine with Weird Is The Best | £0 – £15 |
Easter Half Term Exhibitions
Main Gallery Exhibition: RAFTS by Alistair Debling – Free Admission
RAFTS by Alistair Debling is a new exhibition commissioned by ‘a space’ arts for God’s House Tower. The exhibition draws together data-driven climate research from Dr. Gordon Inglis at the University of Southampton and people-driven research from creative workshops with Rose Road to ask: what if climate change were reframed as an access and care issue? The resulting multimedia installation will flood the main gallery space at GHT, offering new strategies for staying afloat in the face of disaster. Learn more
Stories Behind the Stones Exhibition – Kids Go Free!
God’s House Tower (GHT) is one of Southampton’s most extraordinary historic landmarks, with over 800 years of rich and often surprising history. First built in 1189 as a gateway to protect the town from sea raids, the structure evolved from a medieval stronghold to a grim 18th-century prison, and later, a bustling Victorian warehouse.
Throughout the centuries, GHT has witnessed dramatic moments in Southampton’s past—from the devastating French raid of 1338 to the harsh realities of life inside God’s House Gaol, where prisoners endured grueling labour in cold, damp conditions. The building’s unique role as both protector and punisher reflects the shifting priorities of the town over time.
In the 20th century, GHT became Southampton’s archaeology museum, before undergoing an ambitious restoration to transform it into the arts and heritage venue it is today. Every stone tells a story—of defence, punishment, resilience, and renewal.
Visitors can explore these layered histories in a space where the line between legend and documented history often blurs, adding depth and intrigue to the experience. Learn more