
Many are likely familiar with the historic Gunpowder Plot of 1605, the unsuccessful attempted regicide against King James VI of Scotland and I of England by a group of English Catholics. Their plan was to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament on November 5th, killing not only the king, but many of his family and household, and many of the Protestant leaders of England.
The plot – and the broader attempt to turn the nation back to Catholicism – failed, and those behind it were mostly executed or killed. However, one year after the attempt, November 5th became a “day of thanksgiving” for the survival of the king.

And so a tradition was born, in time the day becoming known as Guy Fawkes Day, and moved away from the original theme of thanksgiving to commemorating the failure of what was essentially an attempted revolution through bonfires, fireworks and (generally) “the burning of the Guy”, and which today is something of a cultural event in which its underpinning reason might not even be considered in favour of fireworks and fun.
But who exactly, was Guy Fawkes? There has been a lot of myth built up around him – he wasn’t, for example the leader of the plotters as some tend to believe. The Guy Fawkes Exhibition sets out to provide the facts behind Fawkes, the plot, his role within it, and the life and strange historical echoes surrounding the actual leader of the plot.

Small in size but rich information, The Guy Fawkes Exhibition is by Kat Kassner. Set within a space dressed to represent London of the 1600s, it in an immersive and interactive installation presented within a large Tudor-style building, using both the spoken word and written information boards (particularly valuable for the hard of hearing. When visiting, do make sure your viewer is set to use the Shared Environment and you have local sounds enabled.
On arrival, visitors are invited to touch a figure of Guy to hear a summary of his birth and dead details, prior to entering the Tudor house. Here, on the ground floor is an audio walk-through of Guy Fawkes life as it relates to the Gunpowder Plot – or Jesuit Treason as it was also historically called –on the ground floor, with the information also presented in written form on the floor above.

The mid level of the house also provides information on the strategic ring leader of the plot, Sir Robert Catesby, and it is here visitors can learn a rather strange modern-day link directly back to the plotters and the crown – both through the same person.
Above this lies a third floor where people are encouraged to take photos and submit them for display in the gallery (photo ops can be had anywhere in the installation). Across the street from the house is also a little fun souvenir shop where you can buy your own Guy or Sir Robert, among other things. Oh, and do be prepared for some of the local effects. The story of Guy Fawkes, in some ways wouldn’t be complete without some sort of kaboom 🙂 .

Despite its small size, The Guy Fawkes installation is nicely put together and extremely information without being heavy, making it an enjoyable visit. So all I’ll add in closing is the famous lines:
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Slurl Details
- The Guy Fawkes Exhibition (Infini, rated Moderate)






















