GALLERIES & EXHIBITIONS
The Beacon Museum offers an ongoing programme of exhibitions to complement the display of its permanent collection that’s suitable for the whole family. These range from major blockbusters often curated by staff, here at the Museum, to touring exhibitions and works on loan from other institutions.
Please note that galleries in the Museum may be closed for maintenance, refurbishment, and exhibition changeover. All planned closures will be listed here. Occasionally we may need to close galleries at short notice for safety reasons. We regret that in these cases we’re not always able to alert the public in advance.
Gallery closures;
– The Light and Dark Gallery will close on Monday 8 September, and will re-open on Saturday 20 September due to exhibition changeover.
– The Harbour Gallery will close on Monday 15 September, and will re-open on Saturday 25 October, due to exhibition changeover.
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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS
FORTY FARMS
EXHIBITION – Light and Dark Gallery
5 July – 7 September 2025
GIANT SOFT BRICKS PLAYLAND
EXHIBITION – Harbour Gallery
21 June – 14 September 2025
OUR GALLERIES
THE MEZZANINE
TAKE A TRIP BACK INTO THE NOT-TOO – DISTANT PAST
Up on the Mezzanine level is the POP Gallery – 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Discover toys, ride a chopper bike, and present the Weather Forecast
VIEWING GALLERY
Be amazed by what you can discover from the stunning 4th floor Viewing Gallery.
Use the powerful telescopes, object displays and our helpful, easy to read digital interactives to find out about the town and harbour of Whitehaven, its development and geology.
CHANGING TIMES
Discover how Whitehaven was transformed from a small fishing hamlet to one of the most important ports in the country by the influential Lowther family.
Learn about the area’s American Connections and discover how merchant ships returned to port laden with exotic goods from around the world.
Unravel the mysteries of timekeeping and navigation before joining the crew aboard the “Maria Lowther”.
Find out about the cramped living conditions of “Mount Pleasant”.
THE SELLAFIELD STORY
The Sellafield Story invites visitors to explore the history of nuclear power in Cumberland and discover the story of how West Cumbria supported the World War efforts.
Learn how new technology was pioneered here and how the early weapons programme grew into a nuclear industry, which has supported the local economy for the past 60 years.
VR MINE EXPERIENCE
Grab your lamp and pick axe and go ‘down pit’ in our virtual reality mine experience.
BRONZE AGE GOLD ARM RING
A joint acquisition between The Beacon Museum and Tullie, Carlisle.
This exceptionally rare find is one of few gold Bronze Age objects found in Cumbria, currently on display at Tullie.
Purchased with support from Art Fund, Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Cumberland Council, Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society, and Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Acquired under the Treasure Act 1996