Opening hours demo

  This is a larger than expected museum on the harbour in Whitehaven. The Galleries cover 4 floors and explore many aspects of life in the area. The historic port is... read more well explained and through a variety of digital mediums you can explore the personalities involved. One gallery is given over to understanding Sellafield and it’s impact on the area. Definitely worth visiting and allowing sufficient time to absorb the information given.

  Masterpieces and VR with Tim Peake! - A wonderful museum full of good interactive displays. The staff were fabulous and the views from the museum were also great. We really enjoyed the VR space adventure with Tim... read more Peake and the VR down the coal mine. Doing a televised weather forecast was great fun too. A blast from the past, a Chopper bicycle! And a lovely painting on loan from the National Gallery, Tobias and the Angel. Well done Whitehaven !

  We found this to be a fascinating museum.
When we planned our visit we knew about the Sellafield exhibition and assumed that there would be a good local history part... read more as well. Neither disappointed!
An unexpected extra was the Rembrandt picture on display as part of the National Gallery Masterpiece tour. We loved the interpretation of various related themes by local schoolchildren.
4 out of 5 as the cafe wasn't operational and the museum was quite cold. A hot drink would have been very welcome but the staff did offer to make suggestions and it was such a quiet time of year that it was completely understandable

  This was a great experience. Lots of varied interactives for kids and adults alike. Very informative displays of ancient to modern history. Staff very friendly. Accessible car park... read more and nice restaurant. Gave great context and background to our family history weekend. Had a lovely chat to one of the guides about the area as I spent so much time in the area as a child.

  The price was very reasonable, the lady on reception - I think it was Megan was great, very approachable and enthusiastic! You can leave midway, say for lunch, and then... read more come back in as well!
You start at the top floor and work your way down. The views over the harbour are stunning.
There are lots of interactive guides going round and some good activities for kids although us two adults also enjoyed having a go on most!
Each floor has a different..."theme" the next floor was about the history of the area and the last was about selarfield a nuclear plant that is nearby.

  Amazing, interactive place for all ages. Only had an hour and a half but could have spent twice that time easily. Staff were very helpful and friendly. Facilities in the... read more museum very clean. Also ate at the cafe. Food was really good and beautifully presented best I have had in a cafe for sometime. (I had quiche salad). A great location on the harbour front with car parking right outside (pay and display but reasonable charge). A throughly enjoyable day out. Would definitely recommend a trip to Whitehaven and a visit to the Beacon.

  We visited on a wet day from camping hoping to kill some time indoors. We left five hours later and could have stayed longer.

This is an amazing, interactive... read more place for all ages. It has myriad display boards and games (which all work!), a VR mining experience, nostalgia aplenty with displays from the 50s to the 80s including a Pac-Man arcade game (aah, nostalgia!). Every bit of Whitehaven’s history is told through excellent technological displays with hands-on stuff for kids and everyone.

We came because of the weather but we’d rush back again anytime.

This place is excellent!

  Fascinating place plus brilliant use of virtual reality (VR) decending a coal mine, the Lowther family routes in Cumbria and much more.

  We are a couple and visited on a rainy day during the Platinum Jubilee. The admission price of £7 per adult was exceptional value for money.

Very interactive... read more and plenty to do for both adults and children.

Having recently paid £14 each to look at a few walls of ruins in Whitby with nothing to do I still can't believe the Beacon museum is only 7 quid.

If you're not sure, go ahead, you won't regret it.

  We had a great time, very attentive staff lovely displays family fun must visit again!
Even so it was a rainy day this museum made it all worth while... read more for our family visit.

  We visited the Beacon Museum with our three children, aged 13, 11 and 8, whilst on holiday in the area. It was well worth the visit. The exhibits are... read more varied with a number of interactive exhibits that appeal to all ages. The top two floors are particularly well done. The ground floor currently has a Pirate exhibit running which was aimed a bit young for our children but would be fabulous for slightly younger kids. All in all, excellent value for money and would definitely recommend. Probably the best smaller museum we've been to as a family.

  A great experience, lots of interesting thing for children to explore, learning while playing. The views across the bay are fantastic. The staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
A wonderful... read more place to visit and I would definitely go back again.

  Great views from the tip floor. A interesting museum with friendly and informative staff. A cafe is also on the ground floor.

  We have been exploring Cumbria over the years and have visited most of the larger towns at various times. Whitehaven was one we'd not visited before so a leaflet... read more on the Beacon Museum made it an interesting proposition.
The museum didn't disappoint and the enthusiasm and helpfulness of the staff helped. It's very informative about the place and has some interesting displays.
Whitehaven really is a fascinating little place and its seen a lot of investment which has smartened it up.

  Went with s group from 10-2 plus adults. Everyone plenty to engage with. Two year old loved demolition in selafield exhibition, digging for treasure and playing with cars and giant... read more polar bears. Staff friendly. Very buggy friendly - lift and able to take buggy around. Ideal cafe at the bottom of museum, great cake!

  Fantastic few hours here. My 2 girls 4 and 6 loved it. There is so much to do. We did the craft activity which was about the Chinese New Year.... read more The staff were so friendly. Also get blue light discount. Great value for money.