Enjoy a mammoth hug with Saffron Walden Museum’s latest woolly attraction

A woolly mammoth has made a return visit to Uttlesford some 35,000 years since it last roamed the area.

Saffron Walden Musuem’s latest interactive display for families is a life-sized woolly mammoth head, equipped with a flexible trunk for giving mammoth hugs that has gone on public display at the venue in Museum Street.

The as-yet un-named creation was inspired by a mammoth tusk among the museum’s collections which was discovered nearby in a gravel pit alongside Walden Road. The head is on display next to the tusk and teeth in the prehistoric gallery.

The mammoth was created as a community art project facilitated by Charlotte Pratt, the museum’s learning and outreach officer.

“Our mammoth has been a real joint effort between staff, volunteers and visitors throughout the summer. It’s made mostly from recycled materials and is a real testament to community and teamwork,” said Charlotte.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped make it happen – from our younger visitors who helped with papier-mâché and sticking on hair, to our grown-up visitors who chatted with me about how best to make the tusks, and of course, my colleagues and volunteers who collected materials and spent hours helping me felt the wool for his coat.

“I hope everyone will come and have their photo taken with the newest member of the team!”

The mammoth head joins a large array of interactive displays at the museum, including explorer backpacks, an archaeology sand pit, an upgraded digital microscope and the recently added Romin Roman dressing-up station.

Charlotte added: “We are working hard to continue to improve our museum to make it an even greater place for families to explore. The team is bursting with ideas to keep improving the visitor experience, so why not join us with a season ticket so you can pop back regularly to see what’s new.”

The museum will soon be inviting entries to a “Name that Mammoth” competition.

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