Bankfield Museum

About the museum

Bankfield Museum is housed in a country house in Akroyd Park, Halifax. The mill owner and MP Edward Akroyd bought an older house on the site in 1838 and extended it in stages, with a major wing added in 1867. When his business declined and his health failed, he sold the house to Halifax Corporation in 1887, and it opened as a museum and branch library the same year.

The museum is known for its textile and costume collections, including embroidery and fabrics from around the world, and for its local history, art, toys and jewellery. It is also home to the Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Museum, which follows the regiment’s history from 1702.

The house is Grade II listed and stands within the Akroydon model village conservation area. Bankfield is one of the Calderdale Museums run by the local council, and its programme of temporary exhibitions often features costume, embroidery, quilting, painting and photography.

Highlights

• Victorian mansion in Akroyd Park
• Costume and world textile collections
• Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Museum
• Toys, jewellery and local history displays
• Tearoom and free on-site parking

Permanent exhibitions

• Costume and textiles – Costume, embroidery and textiles from around the world, drawn from the museum’s large textile collection.
• Local history, toys and jewellery – Displays on Halifax and Calderdale history together with toys and jewellery.
• Duke of Wellington’s Regimental Museum – The story of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, shown in military history displays.

Founded

1887

Operated by

Calderdale Council

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor, including the main galleries, is wheelchair accessible, and the rear entrance has a ramp. There is no lift to the upper floors. Toilets, an accessible toilet and baby changing are on the ground floor. Large print labels are available for exhibitions and handling boxes are offered to visitors with visual impairments. Disabled parking spaces are at the rear of the building.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing is available in the ground-floor toilets.

Getting there & parking

The museum is a short distance from Halifax town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

A tearoom on the ground floor serves snacks and hot and cold drinks, and the gift shop is also on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Spaces at Calderdale Museums sites can be hired for meetings, conferences and events, with catering available.

Plan your visit