The Story – the knockout visitor attraction, which opened in Durham earlier this year (pictured) – has been a roaring success, and its latest visitor attraction sees them exploring the experiences of children and young people at different points in history.

The memories we have of being young remain some of the most potent of our lives. Just mention an old TV show or a make of crisps to someone of a similar age to yourself and you’ll often find yourself reminiscing about them for hours on end. But the lives of children – their experiences of growing up and trying to make sense of the world – never fail to fascinate and that’s what makes this new temporary exhibition at The Story such a ‘must visit’ experience. ‘Our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow’ explores the experiences of County Durham children at different points in history. From young people who left behind fascinating family records during the 1800s, to the glimpses we can see of children in Roman and Medieval periods, this show is a real eye-opener and shines a spotlight on a section of society who often don’t get to have their voices recorded in historic records. And not only will the show examine the different experiences of children at different times in history, it will also consider what issues and opportunities exist for young people in the County today. JL

‘Our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow’, 2 November-5 May 2024, The Story, Durham, thestorydurham.org