Millom Heritage and Arts Centre
Free community museum in Millom’s Victorian railway station with themed rooms on mining, shipping, rural life, poetry and RAF Millom.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The centre was established in 1973 as a museum of Millom’s past and was long known as the Millom Discovery Centre. It is a registered charity run by trustees, staff and volunteers, and today it is an accredited museum and a hub for community activity in the town.
It is housed in the restored Victorian station building on the platform of Millom railway station. The station dates from the mid-19th century, and the town itself grew around the ironworks after 1866, which gave the museum its main theme of iron ore mining and industrial life.
The themed rooms recall the Furness Railway, haematite mining, shipping, a rationing-era shop, rural life, the poet Norman Nicholson and the local airmen of RAF Millom. Earlier history, from the Bronze Age to Millom Castle, is also covered. The building also has a gift shop and a community rail ticket office.
Highlights
- Furness Railway model railway
- Mining and shipping heritage rooms
- Replica post-war shop (Mr Woodward’s Shop)
- Poets Corner devoted to Norman Nicholson
- RAF Millom displays
- Free entry
Permanent exhibitions
- Mining and Shipping Heritage – Explains the hard work of haematite mining, iron and steel making, and the history of the schooners that sailed local waters.
- Mr Woodward’s Shop – A replica post-war shop showing how household goods were sold and rationed.
- Poets Corner – Celebrates the poet Norman Nicholson of Millom alongside other poets and artists, with a chalk wall where visitors can add their own verse.
- Founded
- 1973
- Operated by
- Millom Heritage and Arts Centre (registered charity)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Entry is free for all visitors; donations are welcome. School visits are free but should be arranged in advance.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Interactive displays and a model railway appeal to children. Visitor activity sheets are available for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12, and school groups visit free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Millom railway station
Hourly trains run to Millom from both north and south; the centre is in the station building on the platform.
By car, Millom is signposted from the A595. Follow the A5093 into the town, take the second exit at the mini roundabout and look for the centre’s sign immediately on the right.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Gift shop with local Cumbrian produce, crafts, books and cards. The building also holds a community rail ticket office and tourist information leaflets.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | No booking is needed for individual visitors. Groups of more than 10 people should tell the centre in advance. The centre is on a working railway station, so school groups need adult supervision. A genealogy service linked to grave inscriptions from local churches is offered. |
