Chichester’s Novium Museum opens Lego Brick Wonders exhibition to the public

Visitors to The Novium Museum in Chichester can now enjoy a global journey of wonders from around the world, presented in half a million LEGO® bricks at an exciting new exhibition.

Brick Wonders, which opened on Saturday 4 December, transports visitors around the world with wonders old and new, recreated from 500,000 LEGO® bricks by Warren Elsmore and his team.

Beginning with the seven wonders of the ancient world, the exhibition also takes in modern, natural and historic wonders from all seven continents. Visitors will be treated to sights such as an Egyptian pyramid; the Grand Canyon; Old London Bridge; and, the International Space Station as well as everyday marvels including broadcasting and the internet.

An installation of The Great Barrier Reef creates a show-stopping highlight to the exhibition, complete with underwater lighting and sound effects, and LEGO® brick recreations of everything from corals and sponges to sea turtles and reef-dwelling fish including blue tangs, angel fish and a ray.

The exhibition also features 30 other LEGO® brick models, many of which are scaled to inspire building at home, as well as animated film footage and interactive LEGO® brick building areas. In addition to the Brick Wonder models on display, the exhibition includes a local wonder - a recreation of Chichester’s Market Cross created by a local LEGO brick enthusiast, who can be found on Twitter @chapelbuild2017.

The Novium Museum is asking visitors to take inspiration from the exhibition and put their building skills to the test for the chance to see their own LEGO® brick masterpiece on display alongside the stunning Brick Wonders models. Budding builders are invited to think creatively and make a LEGO® brick ‘Wonder’ of the world. This could be old, new, natural or man-made – the options are endless! The competition is open to everyone aged four years and over, divided into three age categories. Entries should be submitted by Monday, 17 January 2022.  For more information, visit www.thenovium.org/brickwonders

Councillor Roy Briscoe, Cabinet Member for Community Services at Chichester District Council says: “It has been wonderful to welcome so many visitors of all ages to the opening weekend of this exciting exhibition. Brick Wonders is great fun for the whole family, and we’re particularly impressed by the masterpieces produced at our interactive LEGO brick building stations. We hope that these talented builders will have a go at entering our building competition!”

Warren Elsmore, Creator of Brick Wonders, says: “After an uncertain year of closures and delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is so exciting to finally bring Brick Wonders to Chichester. The exhibition has enjoyed an excellent reception in museums around the country, sparking imagination and conversation between visitors of all ages, and I hope that visitors to The Novium Museum will enjoy their global journey of wonders in LEGO® bricks.”

A series of Make and Take sessions will give visitors the opportunity to create LEGO® brick wonders of their very own. Participants can choose from a rocket, parrot fish or a unicorn model to make and take home. Sessions cost £6.50 per model and advance booking is essential. For more details, dates and to book, visit www.thenovium.org/whatson

Gift vouchers for Brick Wonders admission are available to purchase and make a perfect present for any LEGO brick fan this Christmas! To purchase online, visit www.thenovium.org/giftvouchers or call Chichester Box Office on 01243 816525.

Brick Wonders is open now and will run until 5 June 2022. Tickets to the exhibition cost £4 for adults, £2.50 for children and £12 for a family of up to five. Museum opening hours are extending over school holiday periods during the exhibition run, visit www.thenovium.org/visit for details. Booking in advance is essential by visiting: www.thenovium.org/brickwonders  

A selection of LEGO Brick book and brick sets can be purchased from The Novium Museum’s online shop at shop.thenovium.org or visitors can buy from the larger LEGO Brick range available at the museum’s shop.

Entrance to the rest of the museum remains free, with donations accepted.