Beano Time Travellers! at Mottisfont

From black-and-red beginnings to the full-colour capers of today, Beano Time Travellers! explores the heritage of the longest running children’s comic in Britain. On show are colourful covers and special editions, showing the timeline of Beano from its first beginnings up to the present day; from Second World War stories to commentary on modern celebrity culture.

The show reveals fascinating insights into the comic-making process, from initial artist’s sketches to final prints. It’s an exhibition for all ages, with detailed information for anyone who wants to delve into the history of the comic, as well as dressing-up costumes and fun photo opportunities.

Out in the grounds

Look out for a giant comic frieze on the walls of our visitor reception building revealing what happens when Beano kids create a time machine during a school trip to Mottisfont... Families can take part in the story on our outdoor trail, designed by the comic.

There’s an exciting opportunity for children to create their very own comic strip at the end of the trail too. Designs can be entered into a competition to win a unique Beano prize: to enter, just post them into the red-and-black striped postbox in the comic-making room.

Inside the gallery

Mottisfont’s exhibition includes the original artwork for the first Minnie the Minx comic, which has never been shown publically before.

Dennis and his best friend Gnasher take centre stage in the exhibition too, with artworks showing how the characters’ designs have developed from the 1950s to the present day. The exhibition explores iconic moments which have firmly fixed these characters into the public consciousness, such as ‘the great gnational gnasher search’ in the 1980s.

The exhibition also takes visitors ‘back to school’ with comics and artworks featuring the Bash Street Kids.

For the collectors, there’s vintage merchandise including a Beano bicycle and a pair of decorated Doc Martens.