Halliwell's House Museum
A free museum in Selkirk's oldest surviving row of houses, with a reconstructed ironmonger's shop, local history and the Robson Gallery.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum fills a row of old houses in Halliwell's Close, a cobbled lane off Selkirk's Market Place. The close is named after the wig-maker Walter Halliwell, and the row is the oldest group of dwellings still standing in the town. Over the centuries the buildings changed use many times, and the displays reflect those changes.
The ground floor holds a reconstruction of an ironmonger's shop, packed with tools and household objects that recall an earlier age. Further displays tell the story of Selkirk, from its medieval past and links with William Wallace to the town's industrial heritage. A dedicated room explains the Selkirk Common Riding, the annual festival whose Casting of the Colours ceremony remembers the Battle of Flodden, when eighty men left the town with King James IV and only one returned.
The Robson Gallery stages a changing programme of contemporary art by local and wider artists. The museum is run by the cultural charity Live Borders, entry is free, and there is a gift shop at reception.
Highlights
- Reconstructed ironmonger's shop
- Selkirk Common Riding room
- Robson Gallery of contemporary art
- Oldest surviving row of houses in Selkirk
- Free entry
Permanent exhibitions
- The ironmonger's shop – A reconstructed shop on the ground floor, filled with objects that evoke a bygone age.
- Selkirk Common Riding – A dedicated room on the annual Common Riding festival and the Battle of Flodden ceremony it remembers.
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Live Borders
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Admission is free; donations are welcome to help keep the museum free for everyone.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
A ramp leads to the front door, which is opened by a latch, and the ground floor is fully accessible. A lift serves the first floor and small ramps lead into some rooms. There are no visitor toilets in the museum; toilets and an accessible toilet are on the road up to West Port car park, with a Radar key available from reception. Registered assistance animals only are admitted. Two Blue Badge spaces are in West Port car park and two more in Market Place. The approach from Market Place is cobbled and passes through a narrow, dimly lit entrance, so the paved route from West Port car park is easier.
Kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Activity packs for following the displays are available at reception, and museum activity trails are offered.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Market Place (next to the bookshop and Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom) · 5-min walk
Bus services X95 and 73 serve Selkirk. Journeys can be planned with Traveline Scotland.
By car
Free parking
Three free car parks serve Selkirk. West Port car park is the largest and lies next to the museum. The Market Place car park (30-minute stay) is about a three-minute walk away, and a small car park on Chapel Street is ten minutes away. An electric vehicle charging point and bike racks are nearby.
- Accessible parking
Taxis can reach the entrance of the close via West Port car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Gift shop at reception with books and souvenirs. There are no toilets inside the museum.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group visits and educational events are welcome if booked in advance. |
