Keld Heritage Centre
Small local heritage centre in the former Literary Institute at the head of Swaledale, with displays on the village and dale and a museum in the old school.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Keld Literary Institute was set up by James Wilkinson, minister of the Keld Congregational Church. He founded a Mutual Improvement Society in 1854 and arranged for a building to be put up for its meetings in 1861, reusing the roof of the old chapel. The Institute opened in 1862 with a library and a reading table, and the building was listed Grade II in 1986.
In 2011 the Keld Resource Centre, a local charity, turned the former stable and carriage room on the ground floor into the Countryside and Heritage Centre, a small local museum and information point. The upper floor, which had stood derelict for some years, became a space for meetings, exhibitions and events in 2017.
The centre shows historic items from Upper Swaledale and information about the countryside and community, and it runs guided walks, talks and exhibitions, mainly in summer. Since 2022 the charity has also run the Old School as a museum, which holds objects from the former Swaledale Museum in Reeth.
Highlights
- Displays on the history of the village and dale traditions
- Local heritage objects from Upper Swaledale
- Old School Museum with items from the former Swaledale Museum
- Guided walks, talks and exhibitions in summer
- Coast to Coast walk passport stamp point
Permanent exhibition
- Countryside and Heritage Centre – Information and historic items on Upper Swaledale and the village, in the former stable and coach room of the Literary Institute.
- Operated by
- Keld Resource Centre (charity)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The centre is in the centre of the village of Keld at the head of Swaledale, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The Upper Room on the first floor is used for meetings, exhibitions, workshops and social events.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Guided walks, exhibitions and talks take place mainly in the summer months. |
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