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WHAT’S ON
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EXHIBITION – Harbour Gallery & Light and Dark Gallery
18 July – 11 October 2026
CARBONIFEROUS MONSTERS
Step back to the Carboniferous period, 100 million years before the dinosaurs. Visit tropical forests and swamps teeming with bizarre and ferocious ancient monsters. A must-see for prehistoric monster fans of all ages!
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MUSEUM TRAIL
Saturday 22 August – Sunday 13 September
LOTTA AND LOLA TRAIL
The Lotta and Lola Museum Trail is a free spotter activity from Kids in Museums and Simon & Schuster inspired by Pudding Now Please, a new and original series from Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child, starring Lola and her friend Lotta.
Follow the trail around the museum to help Lotta and Lola collect kind and useful-ish words that help us all get along. Complete the trail to collect a free sticker!
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FREE ENTRY
29 & 30 August 2026 | 10am – 4pm
MUSEUM ENTRY – FREE
Join us at The Beacon Museum for free admission to celebrate the Whitehaven Weekender.
Booking is essential.
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POP UP EVENT
1 – 5 September 2026 | 10am – 4pm
COASTAL YOUTH EXHIBITION
An exhibition exploring what it means to be a young person living on the coast of West Cumbria.
Part of the Against the Tide Project.
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TALKING TUESDAY
Tuesday 8 September 2026 | 2pm – 4pm
CUMBRIA’S POSTAL PATHS
Join author Alan Cleaver as he explores Cumbria’s historic postal routes, once walked – and sometimes cycled – by rural postmen and women.
Booking is required.
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WALK & TALK
Tuesday 15 September 2026 | 10.30am
NOT ONLY A COAL TOWN
Whitehaven is often remembered as a coal town, but our waterfront tells a much bigger story. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the industries that helped put Whitehaven on the map. Booking is required.
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POP-UP TALKS
Thursday 17 September 2026 | 11am – 3pm
HERITAGE TALKS
Our wonderful volunteers will be bringing local history to life with a variety of pop-up talks around the museum. Discover fascinating stories, surprising snippets and hidden gems from our collections and local heritage.
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FAMILY HISTORY
Saturday 19 September 2026 | 10am – 3pm
DISCOVER YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Pop in and meet Bry Cooper, our family history expert. Whether you’re just starting your research or looking to overcome a stumbling block, Bry will be on hand to offer guidance and answer your questions.
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HANDLING SESSION
Saturday 19, Sunday 20 September 2026 | 10am – 4pm
GET HANDS-ON WITH HISTORY
Join our knowledgeable volunteers for a special handling session linked to Carboniferous Monsters. Get up closed to fascinating speciments and objects, discover more about the creatures that lived hundreds of millions of years ago, and find out what life was like during the Carboniferous period.
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POP UP
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 October 2026
EVERYONE HERE: OUTSIDE IN
Created with local community groups, Outside In is an immersive and sensory experience exploring our connection with nature, growth, wellbeing and the spaces around us. You’ll find Outside In at The Beacon Portal,with free entry all weekend as part of Imagine Festival. Organised by Everyone Here
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 October 2026 | 10am, 12pm, 2pm | £15 per child
THE BEACON SCHOOL OF MAGIC
Back by popular demand! Step into a world of magic at The Beacon School of Magic! With plenty of hands-on fun, wonder and a little wizardry along the way, it’s the perfect magical adventure for budding witches and wizards!
Fancy dress is highly encouraged.
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TALKING TUESDAY
Tuesday 10 November 2026 | 2pm – 4pm
Eskdale Mill – Paul Pharoh
Illustrated history and restoration.
Booking is required.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS – SOLD OUT
Sunday 15 November 2026 | 11am and 1pm
CHRISTMAS GLASS
Make your very own Christmas ornament in this glass fusing class with Roxanne Denny of RD Glass.
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WORKSHOP – ADULT ONLY – SOLD OUT
Thursday 19 November 2026 | 6pm – 9pm
CHRISTMAS GLASS
Make your very own Christmas ornament in this glass fusing class with Roxanne Denny of RD Glass.
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WORKSHOP
Sunday 22 November 2026 | 11am – 2pm
FESTIVE CONTEMPORARY GILDING
The perfect workshop to ring in the Christmas Spirit!
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TALKING TUESDAY
Tuesday 9 March 2027 2026 | 2pm – 4pm
The Yellow Earl’s Big Adventure
This illustrated lecture follows the story of one of the most unusual nineteenth century journeys undertaken by a Cumbrian – that of The Yellow Earl to the Artic coast of northern Canada.
Booking is required.
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HARBOUR AND TOWN TRAIL APP
ALL YEAR
WEST CUMBRIA WITH THE BEACON
Enhance your visit with the West Cumbria with The Beacon Museum App, designed to help you uncover the fascinating stories, people and places that make Whitehaven and West Cumbria unique.
Eat, shop and discover
VISIT
Everything you need to know on visiting The Beacon Museum.
THE BEACON SHOP
Discover the perfect gift and remember your visit with something special.
HOWLING WOLF ARTISAN BAKERY AND CAFE
Sit back and relax with family and friends and enjoy a delicious bite to eat in the Café.