Rotunda Museum

About the museum

The Rotunda Museum opened in 1829 and is among the oldest purpose-built museums in Britain still in use. The Scarborough Philosophical Society raised the funds, and the geologist William Smith, often called the father of English geology, advised on the circular design. The architect was Richard Hey Sharp of York.

The original display arranged fossils and rocks in the order in which they occur in the rock layers, with the youngest at the top and the oldest at the bottom. A painted section of the Yorkshire coast in the dome was made by John Phillips, Smith's nephew. Two wings were added in 1860.

A major restoration, helped by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £1.8 million, added a new entrance and a lift and restored the 1850 display cabinets. The museum reopened in 2008.

Today the museum holds thousands of fossils and minerals, including important Jurassic plant fossils. The galleries cover the museum's history and the Scarborough Philosophical Society, the Georgian gallery with its geology frieze, the Ancient Seas gallery about creatures that once lived in Yorkshire, and the Star Carr collection of objects about 11,000 years old. At present the West Wing is closed because of water leaks.

Highlights

• Georgian rotunda of 1829 with painted geological dome
• Ancient Seas gallery with fossils from Yorkshire
• Star Carr collection of 11,000-year-old finds
• Original 1850 display cabinets
• Collection of Jurassic fossil plants

Permanent exhibitions

• Ancient Seas gallery – Fossils and displays about the creatures that lived in the seas of Yorkshire in the distant past.
• Star Carr collection – Objects about 11,000 years old from the Mesolithic site of Star Carr, with a large print guide.
• Georgian gallery – The original rotunda hall with a geology frieze by John Phillips.

Founded

1829

Operated by

Scarborough Museums and Galleries (North Yorkshire Council)

Admission & discounts

The museum lists a £5 annual pass that gives admission to both the Rotunda Museum and Scarborough Art Gallery; no separate day-ticket price is published.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

No steps to the front door; the ground floor is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, and a lift serves all floors with no steps into the galleries. Accessible unisex toilet with baby changing on the ground floor. Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome and water bowls are available. A visual story for autistic children and a sensory map can be downloaded; ear defenders are available from reception. A large print guide is available for the Star Carr collection. Blue Badge parking on Valley Road, a two-minute walk away.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

The museum describes itself as a good family day out. The accessible toilet on the ground floor has baby-changing facilities and the museum is breastfeeding-friendly. A visual story and a sensory map help families plan visits with autistic children.

Getting there & parking

The museum is under five minutes from South Bay beach and seven minutes from the town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

There is no café in the museum; Sitwell Nibbles at Woodend, a short walk through Valley Gardens, is open weekdays 10am to 3pm. A shop is on the ground floor next to the welcome desk.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit