TIME TRAVEL: VICTORIAN FESTIVAL WEEKEND AT MK MUSEUM

Leave the iPhone at home, forget the tablet and let the Sky box go idle.

We used to manage perfectly well without gadgets and television screens, once upon a time, you know.

Pay a visit to Milton Keynes Museum, and they'll show you how the Victorians did things.

The Victoria Festival is running across the weekend (July 11 & 12) with a host of themed displays, activities and extras.

Roll up, roll-up to the Palace of Curiosities -  the travelling fairground boasts 'wonderment and macabre family fun.'

What about Jack the Ripper? He hunted victims in Whitechapel, cutting them down in the dead of night.

But more than a century on, the mystery remains - who was he?

Neil STorey

Perhaps Ripper expert Neil Storey (above) will offer up new possibilities.  He will be giving talks all weekend.

If you wander down the parade of shops on site, you'll be able to talk and buy goods from the Victorian shopkeepers.

School was a very different  place then, too.  Pop in and take a listen, but be careful.

Backchat and naughtiness was punished with the cane in those days!

This event is so special that Queen Victoria herself will be visiting to meet her servants.

She will be taking tea in the Granary on both days, and for £12.50 you can join her!

Afternoon tea will be served by the Queen's butler on Victorian crockery - you will even receive a lesson in the etiquette of tea making.

Her Majesty will also be judging the best dressed Victorian competition running for youngsters.

As with everything they do, the museum has gone all out to provide patrons with a superb weekend.

For admission prices and opening hours clickety-click to www.mkmuseum.org.uk