Playing With Light: Hands-On Discovery at Jersey Museum

By Alyssa | WhatsOn local events writer Alyssa picks out timely events, local favourites and useful places to eat, stay and explore.

Playing With Light is Jersey Museum's most ambitious interactive exhibition to date, charting how light has been harnessed for timekeeping, survival, early photography and entertainment throughout history. Running all the way through to the end of 2027, this highly tactile showcase takes the abstract science of optics and turns it into a genuinely fascinating diversion that elevates a standard museum visit into something much more physical. Whether you are seeking shelter from unpredictable coastal showers or looking for a family-friendly activity that does not feel like a compromise for the adults, this long-running installation delivers a rare mix of heritage and pure discovery right in the centre of St Helier.

Camera Obscuras and Shadows on the Wall

Stepping into the exhibition feels less like reading plaques in a quiet gallery and more like wandering through a 19th-century inventor's workshop. You can get hands-on with a life-sized camera obscura, watching the world outside flipped upside down in real time, or experiment with thick glass lenses and prisms that scatter rainbows across the floor. For younger visitors, the appeal lies in the tactile immediacy of the displays—spinning zoetropes to create early animation, manipulating shadow projection on large walls, and seeing how ancient timekeeping relied solely on the shifting path of the sun. Older visitors will appreciate the deeper historical context woven throughout, from the crucial role of maritime lighthouses in keeping Jersey's treacherous coastline safe, to the rapid evolution of early photographic techniques.

Curiosity Across the Generations

The atmosphere inside the gallery is completely driven by the people moving through it. You will usually find a mix of visiting families eagerly crowding around the interactive light benches, alongside locals taking a slower, more contemplative look at the historical photography sections. There is a gentle, shared buzz of realisation that ripples through the room when someone figures out a particularly tricky optical illusion or when a child gasps at a sudden burst of projected colour. It is a space that naturally encourages strangers to point out hidden details to one another, proving that the simple physics of light still holds an enduring magic for all ages.

Know Before You Go

• Timing your visit: Morning sessions tend to be quieter, while early afternoons often bring a rush of families, especially during half-term and school holidays.
• Weather planning: Because it is entirely indoors, this is an ideal fallback option for days when the coastal weather turns wet and windy.
• What to combine it with: Leave yourself at least two hours to explore the rest of the building, including the brilliantly restored Victorian House.
• Accessibility: The exhibition space is fully accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs, with lift access directly from the main foyer.
• Booking information: Normal museum admission applies. You can check out the latest opening hours and visitor information via the official Jersey Heritage events page.

Make a Weekend of It

The beauty of this exhibition being hosted at Jersey Museum & Art Gallery is that you are perfectly positioned to explore the best of St Helier. Start your day with a relaxed brunch at The Yard, which sits right next door in the Weighbridge courtyard. Their avocado toast and excellent coffee provide the perfect fuel before heading into the galleries. If you are looking to make a full day of Jersey's maritime and coastal heritage, take a short stroll over to the New North Quay to visit the Maritime Museum, where the interactive seafaring history neatly complements what you have just learned about coastal safety and lighthouses. For dinner, head across the square to The Square; the welcoming atmosphere and fantastic steaks make it an effortless choice to wind down the evening. If you want to base yourself right in the heart of the action, the historic Pomme d’Or Hotel on Liberation Square offers lovely harbour views just steps away from the museum entrance.

I always love seeing how an exhibition like this lights up a rainy afternoon—enjoy the discoveries. Alyssa