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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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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.
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POP IN – FAMILY FRIENDLY
Sunday 19 July 2026 | 10am – 4pm
ARCHAEOLOGY POP IN
Come and celebrate the opening of our Festival of Archaeology. There will be hands on activities from the past. Learn how Archaeologists use evidence from sites to date certain time periods and help tell the story of our ancestor.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Monday 20 July 2026 | 11am & 2pm
CAVE ART WORKSHOP
Travel back to the Prehistoric age! Explore the environment our ancestors lived in. Learn how cave art represented the people, have a go at making the art and hear about the lost stories that went with it.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Wednesday 22 July 2026 | 11am and 1pm
GLASS FUSING FOR KIDS
A fun creative summer activity for kids. Make a bowl or wall hanging in this glass fusing class with Roxanne Denny of RD Glass.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 23 July 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS – Mini Beasts
Discover the amazing world of tiny creatures in this hands-on adventure! Please note: This session may include spiders – if you have arachnophobia, please be aware before booking.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Friday 24 July 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BUILD IT
Join us for an exciting hands-on STEM workshop packed with fun, creativity, and problem-solving! In collaboration with the Education Outreach Team from Sellafield Ltd.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Sunday 26 July 2026 | 11am & 2pm
COASTAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Discover Whitehaven’s seaside history, explore how the ocean changes old places, and make your own mini coastal scene.
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BEAKID
Tuesday 28 July 2026 | 11am & 2pm
IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Join the Beacon Rocket Scientists as they defy gravity and shoot rockets in to ‘space’.
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WALK AND TALK
Tuesday 28 July 2026 | 10.30am – 11.30am
PEOPLE, PUBS & POLITICS
Join us for the final walk and talk of the series as we explore the Social History of Whitehaven Town. This week’s theme – Pubs.
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POP IN – FAMILY FRIENDLY
Wednesday 29 July 2026 | 10am – 4pm
ARCHAEOLOGY DEMOSTRATIONS
Come and discover ancient crafts from the past and have a go yourself. Hear about how our ancestors day to day lives and the tools and techniques they used to help live. *Museum admission required*
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 30 July 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS – REPTILES
From scales and claws to camouflage and keen senses, get up close with some amazing reptiles and discover the fascinating adaptions that help them survive and thrive.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Friday 31 July 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BUILD IT
Join us for an exciting hands-on STEM workshop packed with fun, creativity, and problem-solving! In collaboration with the Education Outreach Team from Sellafield Ltd.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Saturday 1 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BECOME AN ARCHEOLOGIST
Help to uncover the secrets of the past by finding evidence and artefacts that can be used to recreate the past and help us to understand how people live. Get hands on with activities and research.
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POP IN – FAMILY FRIENDLY
Sunday 2 August 2026 | 10am – 4pm
FESTIVAL FINALE
Join us for the final day of our Festival of Archaeology as we bring together the highlights. Explore our workshop exhibition, discover ancient crafts, enjoy short talks, and get hands-on.
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BEAKID WORKSHOP – KIDS
5, 7, 8 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
PIRATE EXTRAVAGANZA
Become a real pirate. Join us for an Arrghmazing Pirate Adventure, packed with hands-on fun, creativity and discovery! Arrr you ready?
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 6 August 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS – AMAZON
Discover the wonders of the Amazon in this up-close animal encounter! From curious frogs to colorful insects, discover the secret stars of the rainforest.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 13 August 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS
Embark on an unforgettable experience where you can meet, greet and interact with some of the most adorable and fascinating animals.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Friday 14 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BUILD IT
Join us for an exciting hands-on STEM workshop packed with fun, creativity, and problem-solving! In collaboration with the Education Outreach Team from Sellafield Ltd.
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BEAKID WORKSHOP – KIDS
Tuesday 18 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
Join the Beacon Rocket Scientists as they defy gravity and shoot rockets in to ‘space’.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Wednesday 19 August 2026 | 11am and 1pm
GLASS FUSING FOR KIDS
A fun creative summer activity for kids. Make a bowl or wall hanging in this glass fusing class with Roxanne Denny of RD Glass.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 20 August 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS – AFRICA
Get up close with some incredible animals and learn all about the amazing wildlife of Africa! Perfect for all ages—learn, explore, and leave with a new appreciation for nature’s smallest treasures.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Friday 21 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BUILD IT
Join us for an exciting hands-on STEM workshop packed with fun, creativity, and problem-solving! In collaboration with the Education Outreach Team from Sellafield Ltd.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Thursday 27 August 2026 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm
PET ENCOUNTERS
Embark on an unforgettable experience where you can meet, greet and interact with some of the most adorable and fascinating animals.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
Friday 28 August 2026 | 11am & 2pm
BUILD IT
Join us for an exciting hands-on STEM workshop packed with fun, creativity, and problem-solving! In collaboration with the Education Outreach Team from Sellafield Ltd.
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WORKSHOP – KIDS
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!
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.