Kirkleatham Museum
Local heritage museum of Redcar and Cleveland in a 1709 Queen Anne building, home to the Saxon Princess treasure.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Kirkleatham Museum is the local heritage museum for the borough of Redcar and Cleveland. It occupies the former free school for boys built in 1709 by Cholmley Turner, a Queen Anne building that stands in the historic Kirkleatham estate village next to the almshouses founded by Sir William Turner in 1676. The museum opened in 1981 to house collections that had been brought in from elsewhere.
The collection now holds about 30,000 objects, many of local or national importance. Permanent displays include the Saxon Princess treasure, finds from a royal bed burial near Loftus that are described as unparalleled in the Anglo-Saxon world, as well as exhibitions on the steel industry, the life of Gertrude Bell, who grew up in Redcar, and local people during the Second World War.
The museum runs a changing programme of exhibitions, family events, talks and seasonal activities. It is surrounded by grounds with historic buildings, a woodland trail with hard-surfaced paths, a showground and a reference library that can be used for private research. The museum is run by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.
Highlights
- Saxon Princess treasure from a royal bed burial near Loftus
- Steel Stories exhibition on the region's steel industry
- Gertrude Bell exhibition
- Historic estate grounds with woodland trail and almshouses
- Virtual 360-degree tour of the museum on the website
Permanent exhibitions
- Saxon Princess – Treasure from a royal bed burial found near Loftus, with scenes of everyday life in the 7th century AD.
- Steel Stories – An interactive exhibition built from 12 months of community research, with stories and objects from people who worked in the region's steel industry.
- Gertrude Bell – The life of Gertrude Bell, who grew up at Red Barns in Redcar.
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £2.50free up to age 3 · Child ticket for ages 4 to 16; children under 4 are free. |
| Families | £6Two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. |
Tickets are valid for unlimited returns for 12 months from the date of the visit. Some exhibitions, events and activities may carry a separate charge. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- 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
The museum has three floors and is described as completely accessible for wheelchair users. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome and staff are on hand to help. A visual story and a sensory map of the museum hall are available online. The woodland trail in the grounds has hard-surfaced paths. The car park has designated disabled spaces.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £6 · Two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
The museum runs family events and seasonal activities. Special exhibitions come with themed treasure hunts and quizzes (sheets from the museum shop), and the Making a Mark programme invites children to create their own work inspired by local heritage. The grounds offer space for children to explore.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Redcar Central railway station
The closest railway station is Redcar Central, on the Northern service between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn. Arriva buses 81, 81A, 63 and 64 serve Kirkleatham.
By car
Free parking
Free car park within the museum grounds, with designated disabled spaces.
- Accessible parking
By car, Kirkleatham is reached from the A174 Parkway; the A171 runs from Scarborough to Guisborough and links to the A174 by the B1269.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
The independently run Café at Kirkleatham Museum serves meals and drinks. The museum shop sells gifts, souvenirs, traditional toys and books, and also stocks cold drinks, ice creams and refreshments.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Workshops and educational sessions are offered for schools and organised groups; bookings go through the museum enquiries address. A reference library is available for private research. |
