Leece Museum

About the museum

The Leece Museum was founded in 1984 by Eddie Leece, a retired headmaster and Peel Town Commissioner, together with Frank Quayle, who served as its first curator for fifteen years. It later moved to the Old Courthouse on East Quay, a site with records going back to the late sixteenth century, where a courthouse was in use from the early eighteenth century until it was judged unfit in the late nineteenth century.

The displays tell the story of Peel and its fishing port, with material on boat building, fishing crews and the Manx justice system, including a birching stool last used in the town in the 1880s. Other themes are the First World War internment camp at Knockaloe and the Second World War camp at Peveril. A research centre holds photographs, newspapers and documents for family and local history.

The former cell known as the Black Hole, where prisoners were once held, now houses a permanent display of Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix winning machines together with vintage and off-road motorcycles, added in 2015. Peel Heritage Trust volunteers help the Peel Town Commissioners to run the museum.

Highlights

• Former courthouse on Peel harbour with the Black Hole prison cell
• TT and Manx Grand Prix winning motorcycles in the old cell
• Displays on Peel fishing, boat building and the Manx justice system
• Knockaloe (First World War) and Peveril (Second World War) internment camps
• Research centre with local photographs and documents

Permanent exhibitions

• Peel and its fishing port – Objects, photographs and documents on Peel fishing, boat building, law and order, and wartime camps.
• Racing and vintage motorcycles in the Black Hole – TT and Manx Grand Prix winning machines, vintage bikes and off-road bikes displayed in the former prison cell.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Peel Town Commissioners (with Peel Heritage Trust volunteers)

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Assistance dogs are permitted; dogs on a lead are also allowed inside.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on East Quay, close to the House of Manannan and overlooking the harbour and Peel Castle.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Shop, toilets and Wi-Fi are listed in the Visit Isle of Man facilities entry for the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit