Goole Museum

About the museum

Goole Museum presents the history of Goole, which describes itself as the most inland port town in the United Kingdom. The museum is part of the East Riding museums service and is housed in the town’s library building on Carlisle Street. It tells the story of the town’s people and industrial heritage, from shipbuilding to domestic life and leisure.

The Ship Wall shows models of vessels built in Goole or sailing from its port. They include a model of Blue Bird, the ocean-going motor yacht of Sir Malcolm Campbell, which was built at Goole in 1938, requisitioned in 1940 and took part in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk.

The museum holds the largest collection of work by Reuben Chappell outside the National Maritime Museum. Chappell, a well-known painter of ship portraits, began his career and married in Goole, and he often added the name of the town to his signature. Many of his ship paintings hang in the Education Room, and watercolours can be viewed on request.

The social history collection grew from donations by local people and includes about 6,000 images of Goole and the surrounding area. The Garside Collection, given to the town by the historian Harold Garside, covers the history of Goole before the 19th century. The museum also runs several changing exhibitions each year and an annual open art show.

Highlights

• Ship Wall with models of Goole-built vessels, including Blue Bird
• Largest collection of Reuben Chappell ship paintings outside the National Maritime Museum
• Garside Collection on Goole before the 19th century
• About 6,000 historic images of Goole
• Free entry and monthly sessions for under-fives

Permanent exhibitions

• Blue Bird and the Ship Wall – Models of vessels built in Goole or sailing from its port, including the motor yacht Blue Bird of Sir Malcolm Campbell.
• Reuben Chappell paintings – The largest collection of the ship portraits of Reuben Chappell outside the National Maritime Museum, shown in the Education Room.
• Living history of Goole – Social history of the town told through objects and photographs given by local people, including the Garside Collection.

Operated by

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (East Riding Museums)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

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

The museum is reached by lift or stairs, and there is an automatic door. Public toilets next to the library include a toilet that needs a radar key. Only assistance dogs are allowed on site.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Interactive displays cover living and working in Goole, diving and the docks. Under-fives can use sea-themed activities and Explorer resources, and the “5 Things to Discover” challenge gives children a sticker. Salt and Pepper Tots sessions for under-fives run once a month in the Education Room and are drop-in.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available. Breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the museum and staff can arrange a private space on request.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Meeting room hire is listed among the facilities.

Plan your visit