STORYTELLING at The Beacon Museum has been recognised by Visit England as going the ‘extra mile’ to make visits to the museum more engaging and interactive.

Visit England’s ‘The Best Told Story’ award is given to attractions where visitors leave having thoroughly enjoyed an entertaining and interesting visit.

This year the Whitehaven museum has digitalised a lot of its displays, making them more interactive and explaining the rich heritage of Copeland in unique and engaging ways.

Councillor Steven Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, said: “This recognition for the hard work done by the team at the museum is richly deserved.

“The recent changes to the visitor experience have really captured and engaged those who come to the museum.

“To receive an award like this is testament to the team and their understanding of who comes to the The Beacon Museum and what they are looking for. Their innovation is rightly rewarded.”

Visit England Accolades are given annually to organisations that have “gone the extra mile in providing a quality visitor experience”.

The staff and volunteers at The Beacon Museum bring to life fascinating stories of Copeland’s history, with a floor dedicated to telling the story of the Sellafield Ltd nuclear facility.

Heather Holmes, Customer and Visitor Experience Manager, said: “We were so thrilled when we received the news that we had been given this award.

“It is an accolade that belongs to every member of staff and volunteer who helped make our digital vision a reality.

“We’ve worked hard to be creative in the way we tell the stories of our history so to be given this recognition is just fantastic.

“For those who haven’t seen the changes we have made yet come down and have a look.”

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays. It also opens on Mondays during school holidays.

Cost of entry is £7 adult, £5.50 concessions, £3.50 for under 16s and £17.50 for a family pass (two adults and two children). Annual pass holders can visit free of charge upon production of their valid annual pass.

Visitors will also have the chance to access the exhibition for free on November 26 and December 31 as part of the museum’s ‘Free Friday’ events funded by Cumbria County Council.

For more information visit www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk or call 01946 592302.

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Notes for editors

For media enquiries, please contact Samantha Down on 01946 598314, Chrissie Cremins on 01946 598390 or Leila Cox on 01946 598315

Copeland Borough Council

Proud of our past. Energised for our future.

Working to improve lives, communities and the prosperity of Copeland.