The Beacon Museum
Harbour-front museum in Whitehaven telling the story of the town, the Lowther port, mining and the nuclear industry, with a café and shop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Beacon Museum holds the collections of Whitehaven, which were started in the middle of the nineteenth century by the Whitehaven Scientific Association. When local government was reorganised in 1974 the collections passed to Copeland Borough Council. They were shown first in the Old Market Hall in 1975 and then in the Civic Hall from 1987, until a purpose-built museum was completed on the harbour front in 1996. The museum is now run by the local council, Cumberland Council.
A full refurbishment in 2007 added new storage for the fine art collection, thematic displays and a refurbished Harbour Gallery for temporary and touring exhibitions. The collection holds more than 30,000 objects.
The permanent galleries follow the story of the town and the surrounding area. Changing Times traces Whitehaven’s growth from a small fishing hamlet into a busy port under the Lowther family, with its trade links to America, timekeeping and navigation and the cramped housing at Mount Pleasant. The Sellafield Story looks at nuclear power in West Cumbria and the area’s part in the world wars. Other displays include a gallery of toys and everyday objects from the 1950s to the 1980s, a virtual reality visit to a mine and a fourth-floor viewing gallery with telescopes and digital interactives about the harbour and the town.
Highlights
- Changing Times gallery on Whitehaven’s rise as a Lowther port
- The Sellafield Story on nuclear power in West Cumbria
- Virtual reality mine experience
- Viewing gallery with telescopes over the harbour
- POP Gallery of toys and objects from the 1950s to the 1980s
Permanent exhibitions
- Changing Times – The story of Whitehaven from early settlement to its growth as a Lowther port, with displays on trade with America, navigation and housing at Mount Pleasant.
- The Sellafield Story – A look at nuclear power in West Cumbria and the area’s role in the world wars and the later nuclear industry.
- POP Gallery – A mezzanine gallery with toys, a chopper bike and everyday objects from the 1950s to the 1980s.
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Cumberland Council
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6Concessions: students (including mature students) and visitors over 60 |
| Children & teens | £4free up to age 2 · Child ticket for ages 4 to 16; children under 3 are free. |
| Families | £19Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. |
| Annual pass – adult | £19.50Unlimited entry for 12 months. |
| Annual pass – concession | £15.50 |
| Annual pass – child (4–16) | £10.50 |
| Annual pass – family (2 adults, 2 children) | £54.50 |
Annual passes also give 10% off events, workshops and shop purchases.
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
Lifts give step-free access to all floors except the Pop Gallery mezzanine. Accessible toilets are on floors 1 and 3. Induction loops are fitted at reception and for all audio presentations. Two Blue Badge spaces are on site. Large print information, subtitled videos, tactile directional signs and transcripts of audio and oral history content are available, and a member of staff can accompany visitors on request in advance.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £19 · Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum describes itself as family-friendly. Hands-on features in Changing Times include making a digital Iron Age sword, meeting a Roman soldier and dressing up in outfits from different periods. Children’s events such as magic and Christmas sessions run in school holidays.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Whitehaven station · 15-min walk
About a 15-minute walk along the harbour from Whitehaven station. Bus timetables are available through Cumbria County Council.
By car
Paid parking · 1-min walk to the entrance
Limited pay and display parking on site (The Beacon Car Park) and pay and display at Quay Street Car Park, about a one-minute walk away.
- Accessible parking
By car from Millom or Muncaster take the A595 north; from Carlisle, Penrith or Keswick take the A66 to Cockermouth and then the A595. what3words: ///claps.polite.give. Whitehaven is the start of the C2C cycle route to Tynemouth.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Howling Wolf Artisan Bakery and Café. The Beacon Shop sells locally made crafts and artworks, books, jewellery and children’s items.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Primary school sessions (key stage 2) cover the Stone Age to Iron Age, the Romans, Norse settlers, Victorian toys and the Second World War. Loan boxes on coal mining, Vikings, Victorian toys and geology cost £20 per week. A self-guided Harbour and Town Trail uses a free app with a GPS map. |
