Summer Seaside exhibition underway at The Beacon Museum 

You can enjoy all the fun of the seaside by visiting The Beacon Museum this summer.

New for 2024, the Whitehaven museum team has brought the beach indoors with a new exhibition covering the history of the seaside since the Victorian era.

Running until 13 October in the Harbour Gallery, it looks at how the changes in working conditions and the development of the railways during the 19th Century meant that working people began to flock to the country’s beaches on their days off.

Day trips to the beach and Thomas Cook’s brand new package holidays meant healthy sea-air away from city smog, as well as plenty of fun for all the family playing games and watching entertainments in the music halls, piers and arcades.

See how fun at the seaside has changed since the Victorian times, when beachgoers wore woollen bathing suits and were wheeled down to the sea in a bathing hut to ensure modesty.

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:

“The Beacon Museum team wanted to recreate all the fun of the seaside, in a way that can be enjoyed whatever the weather! There is plenty of sensory and interactive elements for children including an indoor beach, traditional seaside games like a coconut shy and hook-a-duck, as well as a Punch and Judy tent so that visitors can put on their own performances.

“Children will also be able to learn about the sea creatures and birds that make the seaside that their home, and why it’s important to keep our beaches and ocean rubbish-free.”

There is plenty of photographic opportunities for making memories – a giant deckchair, to a traditional seaside photobooth – don’t forget to tag #SeasideAtTheBeaconMuseum in your social media posts.

Owned and managed by Cumberland Council, The Beacon Museum is open daily 10am – 4.30pm during school holidays. During term time it is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 4.30pm and Sunday, 11am – 4pm. Closed Monday.

Last admission is 45 minutes prior to closing.

Every first Sunday of every month, they hold a ‘quiet hour’ for the first hour of opening (11am – 12pm). During the summer holidays this is held between 10am and 11am (Sunday 4 August and Sunday 1 September).

You can find out more at the museum’s website: https://thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk/