After weeks in which umbrellas have spent more time abandoned in hallways than battling downpours, Paradox Museum London is inviting visitors to put their neglected brollies to better use with a new Umbrella Amnesty.
Between 11th-15th August, the first 10 eligible walk-in guests to arrive each day with a functioning umbrella that they’re happy to part ways with, will receive free admission. Across five days, 50 free places will be available on a strictly first come, first served basis.
The tongue-in-cheek launch comes as London continues to experience an unprecedented, exceptionally dry summer. Despite a few brief showers, substantial rain has remained elusive, leaving many family umbrellas feeling redundant in the school holidays in spite of frequent use during summers gone by.
The Umbrella Amnesty celebrates the very British paradox of carrying a brolly through a summer even when it has barely been needed.
The Amnesty forms part of Paradox Museum London’s broader come-rain-or-shine summer offering, making it the ultimate destination for a weather-proof day out. The attraction has also launched Rain Rush for wet-weather days, so that whenever rain is forecast in London, the first 10 guests to arrive and say “Rain Rush” will receive free admission. If rain never arrives, the Umbrella Amnesty offers a dry-weather alternative for families instead.
Both offers lead to the same forecast-proof escape. Located in Knightsbridge, directly opposite Harrods, Paradox Museum London is home to more than 50 interactive, mind-bending exhibits and Paradox Pier, a coastal-themed summer zone complete with hidden clues and a postcard trail, and all the fun of the seaside, indoors.
Summer at the museum comes as research commissioned by Paradox Museum reveals the real cost and frustration of trying to plan around the British weather. More than half of Brits (54%) say they have lost money on plans cancelled because of the weather, while 42% say their summer plans are usually thwarted by poor conditions.
When the forecast changes, 52% say they would look for last-minute alternatives, with museums among the nation’s popular back-up choices. Almost half (47%) say the weather affects how much they enjoy summer overall.
Matt Whiteley, General Manager at Paradox Museum London, said: “It seems umbrellas have become the most unnecessary item for families this summer, so we’re giving abandoned brollies a new purpose. Guests can hand over a functioning umbrella and, if they’re among the first 10 eligible guests that day, enjoy a fantastic day out on us!
“It’s the perfect British summer holiday paradox, we’ve spent weeks without significant rain, yet we all still have an umbrella ready by the door! And if the weather does turn, Rain Rush is ready too. Come rain or shine, families can step inside Paradox Museum and swap forecast-watching for a weird, wonderful adventure.”
