Plan your visit

Discover and explore four floors of family-friendly, galleries and exhibitions.

Between Whitehaven’s mines and Harbour, the museum tells the story of historic Cumberland, an area set amongst the Lake District’s dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes. 

Along with its permanent collection, The Beacon Museum offers an ongoing programme of exhibitions in the Light & Dark Gallery, and Harbour Gallery. These range from major blockbusters often curated by staff, here at the Museum, to touring exhibitions and works on loan from other institutions.

 

Opening Times

Tuesday – Saturday | 10.00am – 4.30pm

Sunday | 11.00am – 4.00pm

See full opening hours

The Beacon Museum

West Strand, Whitehaven, Ca28 7LY

See getting here

Accessibility

Find out how to make the most of your visit and plan your trip in advance on our accessibility at the museum page. 

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Ways to explore

Galleries and Exhibitions

Explore four floors of family-friendly galleries and exhibitions. 

What’s On

Discover our latest events, talks, activities, workshops and much more. 

Explore Whitehaven

Harbour and Town Trail –

Opening Times

Monday – Closed

Tuesday – Saturday | 10.00am – 4.30pm

Sunday | 11.00am – 4.00pm

  • Last admission is 45 minutes prior to closing.

  • During school holidays, our hours change to Monday – Sunday, 10am – 4.30pm. Upcoming school holidays; –  4 – 21  April 2025

  • On the first Sunday of every month, we hold a ‘quiet hour’ for the first hour of opening (11.00am – 12.00pm).

 

Museum Admission

Museum admission fee is required for entry to the museum. 

Please note that from 1 April 2025, there will be changes to our admission fees. 

Day Ticket
Adult Concession* Child** Family ***
£7.00 £5.50 £3.50 £17.50

From 1 April 2025, our admission fees will be as follows;

Adult Concession* Child** Family ***
£7.50 £6.00 £4.00 £19.00
Annual Pass
Adult Concession* Child** Family ***
£18.00 £14.00 £9.00 £50.00

From 1 April 2025, our annual pass membership will be as follows;

Adult Concession* Child** Family ***
£19.50 £15.50 £10.50 £54.50

The annual pass allows unlimited access to The Beacon Museum for 12 months, 10% off events/workshops and 10% off shop purchases.

* Concession is students (including mature students) and people over 60.

** Child admission from 3  to 16 years

*** Family admission is for 2 adults and 2 children.

Admission is free for under 3 year old.

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Getting Here

Set along the beautiful coast of the Western Lake District, situated on Whitehaven’s historic Harbour. Whether it be by car, bus, train and bike, there are many easy and convenient routes to get to us.

Feel free to call us if you would like any help or advice when visiting.

Address The Beacon Museum, West Strand, Whitehaven, CA28 7LY Telephone 01946 592302

Parking

Pay and display parking on site with limited spaces.

There is also pay and display parking available at Quay Street Car Park (1 minute walk).

 

Invisible
By car

Travelling north from Millom and Muncaster, follow the A595 North. When approaching Whitehaven the Museum is signposted by brown AA heritage road signs.

Travelling South from Carlisle or across country from Penrith and Keswick, follow the A66 to Cockermouth which then joins the A595 straight through to Whitehaven. The one way system in the town centre, leads direct to the harbour and The Beacon Museum.

By bus

Whitehaven is easily connected to by bus. Timetables can be downloaded from here.

By train

Whitehaven’s train station is 15 minutes gentle stroll around the picturesque sea harbour, around to The Beacon Museum. A stunning journey with the train line hugging close to the coastline as it travels north to Carlisle and south to Barrow-in-Furness and Grange-over-Sands. Timetables can be found here.

By bike

Whitehaven is host to the start of the famous C2C cycle route, an epic 140 miles cross country cycle route from Whitehaven to Tynemouth. Many visitors call into the Museum the day before the epic cycle ride, the Museum can be seen from the starting point on the harbour’s edge. Many local cycle paths lead to Whitehaven. The C2C route can be found here.

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