List of museums in Lancashire facts for kids

Welcome to the amazing world of museums in Lancashire, England! This guide will help you discover some fantastic places where you can explore history, art, science, and more. Museums are special buildings that collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about culture, art, science, or history. They let everyone see and learn from them. Get ready to find out about old houses, cool vehicles, and even ancient Roman finds!

Awesome Museums to Explore

History and Heritage

Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Chorley, Astley Hall is a grand old house. It's like stepping back in time! You can see how people lived long ago in its period rooms. The museum also has exhibits about local history and a lovely art gallery.

Bacup Natural History Society Museum

In Bacup, this museum shares stories about the local area. It's a great place to learn about the history and culture of the community.

British In India Museum

Found in Nelson, this museum tells the story of the British in India. It has many interesting items. You can see old photographs, uniforms, swords, and even model soldiers. There are also paintings and special badges from the Indian army.

Carnforth Heritage Visitor Centre

This center in Carnforth is all about local history. It also focuses on the area's railway past. A fun fact is that the famous movie Brief Encounter was filmed here! The center is right inside the Carnforth railway station.

Clitheroe Castle

Clitheroe Castle is a very old castle from the 12th century. It has a museum inside! You can learn about local history, art, and the castle's own story. There are also exhibits on geology, archaeology, and nature.

Cottage Museum, Lancaster

The Cottage Museum in Lancaster is a charming Georgian cottage. It shows what life was like in that time period. It's a peek into the past of a typical home.

Fleetwood Museum

In Fleetwood, this museum explores the town's local history and culture. It has a special focus on its maritime heritage. You can learn all about the fishing industry and life by the sea.

Gawthorpe Hall

Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham is a stunning Elizabethan house. It's managed by the National Trust. Inside, you'll find beautiful 19th-century rooms. It also has an amazing collection of needlework, lace, and old costumes from around the world.

Heysham Heritage Centre

This center in Heysham is located in a 17th-century long house. It shares the local history of the area.

Hoghton Tower

Hoghton Tower is a fortified Tudor manor house in Hoghton. It has a grand banqueting hall and old furniture. There's even a collection of doll houses to see!

Judges' Lodgings, Lancaster

Next to Lancaster Castle, the Judges' Lodgings in Lancaster is a Georgian house. It shows off beautiful Gillow furniture in rooms from the Regency period. It also has a fun Museum of Childhood. Here, you can see toys, dolls, and games from the 1700s to today!

Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle is a medieval castle in Lancaster. It has a long history as a court and a prison. It's a fascinating place to explore.

Lancaster City Museum

The Lancaster City Museum tells the story of Lancaster. It covers the city's social history and has fine art. It also houses the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.

Lancaster Maritime Museum

The Lancaster Maritime Museum is all about the sea! It's in Lancaster and teaches about shipbuilding, harbor trades, and fishing. You can also learn about the natural history of the bay.

Lytham Heritage Centre

In Lytham, this center shows local history and art. It's run by the Lytham Heritage Group.

Lytham Windmill Museum

The Lytham Windmill Museum is a 19th-century windmill. It has exhibits about how the mill worked. You can also learn about the millers and local history.

Museum of Lancashire

The Museum of Lancashire in Preston covers the county's history and culture. It even has exhibits about life during World War II and military history.

Pendle Heritage Centre

The Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford is a visitor center. It focuses on local and social history, culture, and art.

Ribchester Roman Museum

The Ribchester Roman Museum in Ribchester explores the history of the Romans in Britain. It has many artifacts from that time.

Rufford Old Hall

Rufford Old Hall in Rufford is a 16th-century Tudor great hall. It's managed by the National Trust. Young William Shakespeare is said to have performed here! It has collections of furniture, weapons, armor, and tapestries.

Samlesbury Hall

Samlesbury Hall is a restored medieval manor house in Samlesbury. It's a wonderful example of old architecture.

South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre

In Leyland, this center covers local history and culture. It also has art exhibits. You can learn about the textile, rubber, and motor industries that were important here.

Towneley Hall

Towneley Hall in Burnley has many different exhibits. These include natural history, ancient Egypt, local history, and textiles. It also has an art gallery.

Turton Tower

Turton Tower in Chapeltown is a Tudor house. It shows what life was like in both the Tudor and Victorian times.

Weaver's Cottage

This 18th-century weaver's cottage in Rawtenstall has working hand looms. You can see a Victorian kitchen and learn about old weaving methods.

The Whitaker

The Whitaker in Rawtenstall (formerly Rossendale Museum & Art Gallery) has local history, fine art, and natural history. It also features Victorian rooms and fashion exhibits.

Whitworth Museum

In Whitworth, this museum focuses on local history. It's run by the Whitworth Historical Society.

Art and Culture

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery

The Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery in Blackburn has a wide range of collections. These include local history, fine art, and decorative arts. It also has exhibits on South Asian culture and even a beetle collection!

Chapel Gallery

The Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk is a public art gallery. It shows contemporary art and crafts from all over the UK.

Fylde Gallery

Located in Lytham, the Fylde Gallery displays local art. It's a unique gallery found inside a Booths Supermarket!

Grundy Art Gallery

The Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool features contemporary art. Its collections include Victorian paintings, modern British art, and prints. You can also see jewelry, Asian ivories, and photos of Blackpool.

Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Preston Free Public Library

The Harris Museum in Preston is a big place with lots to see. It has local history, archaeology, fine art, and decorative art. You can find ceramics, glass, costumes, and even scent bottles here.

Haworth Art Gallery

The Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington is famous for its collection of Art Nouveau Tiffany glass. It's truly beautiful!

Peter Scott Gallery

The Peter Scott Gallery is the art gallery of Lancaster University in Lancaster. It has 20th-century art, Chinese and Japanese art, and ancient artifacts.

Platform Gallery

In Clitheroe, the Platform Gallery showcases contemporary crafts.

Ruskin Library

The Ruskin Library is part of the University of Lancaster in Lancaster. It has exhibits about the Victorian writer and artist John Ruskin. You can see his pictures, books, and manuscripts.

Science and Technology

Bancroft Mill Engine

The Bancroft Mill Engine in Barnoldswick is a working steam engine. It used to power a textile mill. It's amazing to see this old technology in action!

British Commercial Vehicle Museum

In Leyland, this museum is all about transportation. It has a collection of automobiles, buses, and lorries (trucks).

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

The Helmshore Mills Textile Museum in Helmshore used to be real textile mills. You can learn how wool and cloth were made here.

Queen Street Mill Textile Museum

The Queen Street Mill Textile Museum in Burnley is an operational 19th-century weaving mill. It's powered by steam, just like it was long ago!

Ribble Steam Railway

The Ribble Steam Railway in Preston is a heritage railway. It also has a museum that's open on days when the trains are running.

Weavers' Triangle

The Weavers' Triangle in Burnley includes a visitor center. It has a Victorian schoolroom and a weaver's home. You can also see a canal toll house and the Oak Mount Mill Engine House.

Woodend Mining Museum

In Reedley Hallows, this museum teaches about coal mining in the area.

Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum - Earby

This museum in Earby has artifacts from lead mining.

Fun and Unique Museums

Brooks Collectables Toy Museum

In Blackpool, this museum is a paradise for toy lovers! It has die-cast model cars, vehicles, toys, model trains, and toy soldiers.

Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Madame Tussauds Blackpool in Blackpool is famous for its wax figures. You can see lifelike models of celebrities and historical figures.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Ripley's Believe It or Not!#United Kingdom in Blackpool is full of strange and amazing exhibits. It's located at Pleasure Beach Blackpool.

Nature and Environment

Ribble Discovery Centre

The Ribble Discovery Centre in Lytham is all about nature. It focuses on the ecology and natural history of the Ribble and Alt Estuaries. It's run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Past Museums

Some museums in Lancashire have closed over the years. Their collections sometimes move to other museums.

• Lewis Textile Museum, Blackburn, closed in 2006. Its collections are now part of Cottontown at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery.
• Mid Pennine Gallery, Burnley, closed in 2010.
• National Football Museum, Preston, closed in 2010 and later reopened in Manchester.
• Steamtown Carnforth, Carnforth, closed in 1997.

See also

• Category:Tourist attractions in Lancashire