This May half term, the Cromwell Museum, in Huntingdon is offering the opportunity for families to hone their spy skills and learn how to be a 17th century secret agent.

As part of the free activity, attendees can learn how to make invisible ink, try writing in code, and discover how to make secret notes. These sessions take place on Tuesday, May 30 and Thursday, June 1, from midday till 4pm.

These activities tie in with the museum’s a new exhibit ‘Secret State: Cromwellian Spies and Intelligence’, which sheds light on the murky and fascinating world of secret agents in the 1600s.

The display looks how spying played a role during the civil wars, to the development of sophisticated intelligence organisations developed under the regime of Oliver Cromwell.

Stuart Orme, curator of the Cromwell Museum said: “If you’ve ever thought of yourself as a glamorous spy or secret agent, the activities and exhibit this half term provide an opportunity to find out what it was really like for the men and women who caried out espionage in the 1600s and try out some spy skills – including making invisible ink using an artichoke!”

The ’Secret State’ exhibit is available to view during Cromwell Museum opening hours until September 17.

The museum is open from 11am – 4pm, from Tuesday – Saturday and Bank Holiday Mondays. Admission is free of charge; donations are welcomed. For more details visit: www.cromwellmuseum.org.

The Museum is located in the former Huntingdon Grammar School building, which was where Oliver Cromwell went to school.