John Gray Centre Museum
Free museum on the first floor of East Lothian Council’s heritage hub in Haddington, telling the county’s story in about 1,000 objects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The John Gray Centre opened in 2012 in the centre of Haddington, next to the Town House. East Lothian Council created it as a heritage hub that brings together Haddington Library, a museum, the Local History Centre and the county archive service under one roof. It is named after John Gray (1646–1717), one of the local figures profiled on its website.
The museum is on the first floor. Its permanent display uses about 1,000 objects to follow how ordinary and extraordinary people in East Lothian earned a living and spent their time, from the Stone Age to the present day. A public gallery next to it has a changing programme of art and history exhibitions, many made by local residents.
The museum is part of East Lothian Council’s museums service and entry is free. Almost every display has something to touch or try, and a free audio tour called the Talking Museum was designed for visitors with sight loss and is enjoyed by everyone.
Highlights
- East Lothian history told through 1,000 objects
- Hands-on displays with objects to handle and costumes to wear
- Free Talking Museum audio tour for visually impaired visitors
- Changing exhibition gallery with local shows
- Local History Centre and archive in the same building
Permanent exhibition
- East Lothian in 1,000 objects – An interactive permanent display telling the story of how people in East Lothian lived and worked from the Stone Age to today.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- East Lothian Council Museums Service
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry to the museum and exhibition galleries is free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description
A permanent ramp leads to the level ground-floor entrance, and a lift serves the first floor. Inside the museum gallery there is a short flight of stairs with a platform lift, which was reported out of order on 7 August 2026 and awaiting repair. There are three Blue Badge spaces on Lodge Street and more on Market Street. There is a hearing loop in the museum, free audio guides with visual description for blind and visually impaired visitors, contrast markings on glass doors, and a fire alarm with flashing lights. Some areas have low lighting. Guided tours, object-handling sessions and workshops are offered to groups with access needs. Further access information is on the AccessAble website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum describes itself as family friendly. Almost every display has something to touch or do, with objects to handle, costumes to wear, film, activity sheets and a postcard trail with stamps to collect.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Haddington is served by a variety of bus routes; journey details are on Traveline Scotland. Visitors can also take the train to a station in East Lothian and continue by bus, bicycle or on foot.
By car
Parking available
Free on-street parking for 90 minutes on Market Street and High Street. A long-stay car park adjoins the Tesco car park. Three Blue Badge spaces are on the cobbled area beside the Centre on Lodge Street, with more on Market Street.
- Accessible parking
The centre is at the top of the High Street, opposite the Town House and about 20 miles east of Edinburgh. Signs from the A1 lead into Haddington.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Public toilets, including toilets for wheelchair users, are in the building. Free wi-fi in the building requires a library card and PIN. There is no café in the building, but Haddington town centre has cafés and shops.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Most visitors take between half an hour and an hour. The free audio tour is called the Talking Museum. Museum guided tours, object-handling sessions and creative workshops can be arranged for groups; the museum service also lends loan boxes and offers school resources. |
