___
NEWS AND MEDIA RELEASES
From the 90’s to Industrial Heritage: April at The Beacon in Whitehaven
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is set to offer a vibrant and varied programme this April, combining major exhibitions, creative workshops and engaging events for all ages, as the museum continues to celebrate culture, creativity and local heritage. Taking centre...
I Grew Up 90s: A Celebration of the Decade That Defined a Generation
Join The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven for a trip back in time with new exhibition; I Grew Up 90s, a vibrant and immersive exhibition celebrating one of Britain’s most iconic decades. Opening in the Harbour Gallery on 28 March and running until 21 June 2026, the...
March – A Month of Heritage, Creativity and Community
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is gearing up for a lively March 2026, with a programme that blends heritage, creativity and family‑friendly activities - all building towards the launch of a major new exhibition. Opening on 28 March, the next major exhibition; I Grew...
Faces of West Cumbria: The Portraits of JD Kenworthy
The Beacon Museum invites visitors to step into the world of John Dalzell Kenworthy, the celebrated West Cumbrian portrait artist whose work captured the character, resilience, and everyday life of his community. JD Kenworthy - The West Cumbrian Portrait Artist is a...
February at The Beacon Museum
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven promises a rich blend of art, heritage, creativity and fun, as the museum unveils a February programme designed to inspire visitors of all ages. This month sees the opening of a new exhibition in the Light and Dark Gallery, celebrating...
First touring exhibition by The Cartoon Museum arrives at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven
A celebration of Britain’s comic art heritage arrives this month at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven, as it becomes one of the first venues to host The Cartoon Museum’s first touring exhibition. Comics: The Famous & Forgotten will open on 17 January and will be held...
Service, Solidarity and Sacrifice – Curator’s Exhibition Blog
Back in the Spring the exhibitions team at the Beacon Museum in Whitehaven was considering which public engagement opportunity to develop that could strongly reach out to local audiences. It soon became apparent, after the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in May, that a...
Exciting Changes Coming to The Beacon Shop!
The Beacon Museum Shop will be getting a fresh new look! From Saturday 20 September until Saturday 25 October, the shop will be closed for refurbishment. Don’t worry though—some of your favourite items will still be available to buy at a temporary stall near...
Service, Solidarity and Sacrifice: New Exhibition at The Beacon Museum
This autumn, The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven will open a new exhibition telling the powerful and personal stories of local people in World War II. Running from 20 September 2025 through to 1 February 2026, Service, Solidarity and Sacrifice offers a moving story-led...
Forty Farms: A Compelling Exhibition Opening at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven
This summer, The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is hosting an exhibition by British Life Photographer of the Year, and Cumbrian farmer, Amy Bateman. Running from 5 July to 7 September, Forty Farms offers visitors an unprecedented look into the lives of 40 farmers across...
Giant Soft Bricks Playland arrives at The Beacon Museum this summer
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven invites families to discover a brand-new, immersive play experience like no other this summer. From 21 June to 14 September 2025, Giant Soft Bricks Playland takes over the museum’s Harbour Gallery with a colourful indoor playground that...
The Pop Inn: Step Into Whitehaven’s Pub Past at The Beacon
Take a nostalgic journey through the lively pub heritage of Whitehaven at The Pop Inn – a special pop-up event hosted at The Beacon Portal on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May, from 10am to 4pm. Inspired by the iconic “Ye Olde Inns of Whitehaven, 1846–1958” map, this pop...
The Beacon Museum to Host Special VE Day Pop-Up Event
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is hosting a pop up event to commemorate VE day on Saturday 10 May 2025. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, and communities across the country are coming together to commemorate this important milestone....
We Think the World of You: People and Dogs Drawn Together: An Exhibition by David Remfry MBE RA at The Beacon Museum
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is set to welcome art and dog lovers alike with We Think the World of You: People and Dogs Drawn Together, an exhibition by renowned artist David Remfry MBE RA. Opening on 5 April 2025 and running until 22 June, this collection of...
Sharmanka Merry-Go-World – An Enchanting Fusion of Art, Movement, and Nostalgia Arrives at the Beacon Museum, Whitehaven.
The Beacon Museum will host the spell-binding Sharmanka Merry-Go-World exhibition from 5 April – 1 June in the Harbour Gallery. This unique showcase, presented by Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre for the first time England, brings an extraordinary fusion of kinetic...
Tides of Innovation: A Celebration of West Cumbria’s Global Impact
This Saturday 15 February a new exhibition launches at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven. ‘Tides of Innovation’ is a groundbreaking exhibition that explores West Cumbria’s far-reaching influence on the world. Curated by volunteer Mike James, this pioneering exhibition...
Step Back in Time: The Beacon Launches Monthly Pop-Up History Events
The Beacon Museum is launching a new series of monthly pop-up events offering the local community an opportunity to step back in time and explore our rich local history. Each month, these events will focus on a different theme, from the streets of Whitehaven to its...
Beacon Museum offers free entry to local schools affected by Storm Eowyn
Local school children, whose schools were impacted by Storm Eowyn have been given a free visit to a local museum Following the severe impact of Storm Eowyn, three local schools - Jericho Primary School, Mayfield School and St Benedict’s Catholic High School - were...
Mayfield School students explore Whitehaven’s history with the Beacon Museum.
KS4 students from Mayfield School have been exploring the fascinating history behind Whitehaven’s street names through the ‘Street Life’ project, in partnership with the Beacon Museum. With guidance from Alan Gillon, Learning and Exhibition Engagement Manager at The...
Inspired by Industry exhibition underway at The Beacon Museum.
A captivating new art exhibition featuring powerful depictions of West Cumbria’s industrial heritage will open at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven. Running from 18 January through to 30 March in the museum’s Light and Dark Gallery, ‘Inspired by Industry’ delves into West...