Bedale Museum
Volunteer-run local history museum in Bedale Hall, with displays on the town's past and its 18th-century hand-drawn fire engine.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Bedale Museum is housed in Bedale Hall, a Grade I listed Palladian mansion at the north end of the market town of Bedale in North Yorkshire. The Hall was bought by the old Bedale Rural District Council in 1951 and restored over the following decade. It then became a community centre, and one of the services it accommodated was a small museum.
Today the museum is run by volunteers and tells the story of the town and the surrounding area. Its displays range from Bedale's medieval origins and its 13th-century market charter to farming, the railways and the town in wartime. A particular attraction is the old Bedale fire engine, which dates from 1748.
After a closed period, the museum reopened in the spring of 2026 with a new team of volunteers. It now opens on two days a week, and it also takes part in local events, such as a joint exhibition with the Bedale Art Group.
Highlights
- Hand-drawn Bedale fire engine dating from 1748
- Displays on the medieval origins and market charter of Bedale
- Local trades, farming, railway and wartime history
- Located in the Grade I listed Bedale Hall
- Run by local volunteers
Permanent exhibition
- Local history of Bedale – Objects, photographs and stories about Bedale's trades, farming, railways and wartime, including the 1748 hand-drawn fire engine.
- Founded
- 1959
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 museum describes itself as easily accessible. The main front door of Bedale Hall is out of use, and visitors enter by the back door next to the library.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
The museum describes itself as a suitable stop for families; it lists no separate children’s programme.
Getting there & parking
The main front door of Bedale Hall is out of use. Please enter by the back door next to the library.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum is on the ground floor of Bedale Hall and sometimes hosts small events such as art exhibitions in partnership with local groups. |
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