Battle of Prestonpans Museum

About the museum

The museum occupies Prestonpans Town Hall on the High Street, a building that local voters approved in 1895 and that opened in 1897. For decades it hosted dances, concerts, political meetings and the burgh council, which sat there until local government was reorganised in the mid-1970s. As newer community buildings opened, use of the hall fell, and by 2020 it had been mothballed.

East Lothian Council, which still owns the building, began leasing it in 2021 to the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust, the charity that promotes the story of the 1745 battle. The Trust raised money for repairs and restored the main hall's original colour scheme, and the museum opened to the public in April 2022.

The permanent exhibition in the Main Hall leads visitors from the dynastic dispute behind the Jacobite risings, past a large battlefield diorama, to the battle itself, fought close to the town in 1745. Sections of the Prestonpans Tapestry hang behind the diorama, and large paintings by Andrew Hillhouse show key moments of the battle day. Original items include a lock of Prince Charles Edward Stuart's hair and period newspaper reports, alongside replica uniforms and equipment. The smaller Jubilee Room holds changing exhibitions, and a children's encampment area gives younger visitors their own activities. The Trust also runs school sessions and battlefield tours with costumed guides.

Highlights

• Large diorama of the 1745 battlefield
• Sections of the Prestonpans Tapestry
• Paintings by Andrew Hillhouse of key moments of the battle
• Items linked to Prince Charles Edward Stuart, including a lock of his hair
• Children's encampment and craft area

Permanent exhibition

• Battle of Prestonpans exhibition (Main Hall) – The story of the 1745 battle told through a large diorama, original objects, replica equipment, paintings and part of the Prestonpans Tapestry.

Founded

2022

Operated by

Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no admission charge; visitors are invited to make a donation. School sessions in the museum cost £50 per class (up to 34 pupils); a combined museum and battlefield day costs £70 per class.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is at street level through 103 cm wide double doors, and the Main Hall is reached through level double doors from reception. A platform lift (82 cm wide, 138 cm deep, 250 kg) serves the lobby, which can otherwise be reached by five steps with handrails. The Jubilee Room is entered from the lobby through 110 cm doors or from the Main Hall over a stage with five steps. The accessible toilet has a baby changing table.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The Main Hall has an encampment area for younger visitors, and the museum offers school sessions for classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Town Hall on Prestonpans High Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small shop is in the reception area. There is no visitor cafe; tea and coffee are provided only for certain pre-booked events.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit