List of museums in Lancashire facts for kids

Here's a list of museums you can explore in Lancashire, England! Museums are special places where cool objects from the past or present are kept and shown to the public. They help us learn about history, art, science, and different cultures. Think of them as giant treasure chests filled with stories and amazing things!

Awesome Museums to Explore

Historic Houses and Castles

These museums let you step back in time and see how people lived long ago.

Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery

Located in Chorley, Astley Hall is a beautiful old house with lots of history. You can explore rooms that look just like they did in different time periods and see local history exhibits and art.

Clitheroe Castle

In Clitheroe, this amazing 12th-century motte and bailey castle has a museum inside! You can learn about the castle's history, local life, art, geology, and even folklore. It's a great place for adventurers!

Cottage Museum, Lancaster

Step into an early Victorian cottage in Lancaster. The Cottage Museum, Lancaster shows you what life was like for ordinary people in the past.

Gawthorpe Hall

Near Padiham, Gawthorpe Hall is an Elizabethan house managed by the National Trust. It has beautiful 19th-century rooms and a huge collection of needlework, lace, and old costumes from all over the world.

Hoghton Tower

Hoghton Tower in Hoghton is a strong, fortified Tudor manor house. Imagine knights and lords walking its halls! It has a grand banqueting hall, old furniture, and even a collection of doll houses.

Judges Lodgings, Lancaster

Next to Lancaster Castle, the Judges Lodgings, Lancaster is a grand Georgian house. It's famous for its beautiful furniture and its Museum of Childhood. Here, you can see toys, dolls, and games from the 1700s right up to today!

Lancaster Castle

Explore the medieval Lancaster Castle in Lancaster. This historic site was once a court and a prison, and it's full of fascinating stories.

Leighton Hall

In Yealand Conyers, Leighton Hall is an 18th-century Georgian house with a cool Gothic look added later. It has beautiful old furniture and lovely gardens to explore.

Lytham Hall

Lytham Hall in Lytham is an 18th-century Georgian country house set in 78 acres of parkland. It's a great place to imagine grand parties and explore nature.

Rufford Old Hall

Another National Trust property, Rufford Old Hall in Rufford is a 16th-century Tudor great hall. It's said that a young William Shakespeare once performed here! You can see old furniture, weapons, armor, and tapestries.

Samlesbury Hall

Samlesbury Hall in Samlesbury is a beautifully restored medieval manor house. It's like stepping into a fairy tale!

Towneley Hall

In Burnley, Towneley Hall is a large museum with lots to see. It covers natural history, ancient Egypt, local history, textiles, and even has an art gallery.

Turton Tower

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

Weaver's Cottage

In Rawtenstall, Weaver's Cottage is an 18th-century weaver's home. You can see working hand looms and a Victorian kitchen, showing how people made cloth long ago.

Industry and Technology Museums

Discover how things were made and how machines changed the world.

Bancroft Mill Engine

Visit Bancroft Mill Engine in Barnoldswick to see a huge, working steam engine that powered a textile mill. It's incredible to see this powerful machine in action!

British Commercial Vehicle Museum

In Leyland, this museum is all about transportation. You can see old cars, buses, and lorries (trucks) and learn about their history.

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

At Helmshore, the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum is located in former textile mills. You can learn how wool and cloth were made in the past.

Queen Street Mill Textile Museum

In Burnley, the Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is an operational 19th-century steam-powered weaving mill. It's like stepping back in time to see how textiles were mass-produced.

Ribble Steam Railway

The Ribble Steam Railway in Preston is a heritage railway where you can ride on old trains. They also have a museum that's open on days when the trains are running.

Weavers' Triangle

The Weavers' Triangle in Burnley is a historic area that includes a visitor center with 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, the Woodend Mining Museum teaches you about coal mining in the area. It's a fascinating look at a tough but important industry.

Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum - Earby

Located in Earby, this museum has artifacts from lead mining. Learn about the tools and techniques used by miners in the Yorkshire Dales.

Art Galleries

Explore different styles of art, from classic paintings to modern creations.

Chapel Gallery

The Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk is a public art gallery that shows contemporary art and crafts from all over the UK. It's a great place to see new and exciting art.

Fylde Gallery

Located in Booths Supermarket in Lytham, the Fylde Gallery shows local art collections and exhibits.

Grundy Art Gallery

The Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool features contemporary art exhibits. Its collections include Victorian paintings, modern British art, prints, jewelry, and even souvenirs of Blackpool!

Haworth Art Gallery

In Accrington, the Haworth Art Gallery is famous for its collection of beautiful Art Nouveau Tiffany glass. It's a truly sparkling display!

Peter Scott Gallery

Part of Lancaster University, the Peter Scott Gallery has collections of 20th-century art, Chinese and Japanese art, and ancient artifacts. It's a cool place to see art from different times and places.

Platform Gallery

In Clitheroe, the Platform Gallery is a contemporary crafts gallery, showcasing modern handmade items.

Local History and Culture Museums

These museums tell the stories of towns and the people who lived there.

Bacup Natural History Society Museum

In Bacup, this museum focuses on local history and culture. It's run by the Bacup Natural History Society.

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery

The Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery in Blackburn covers local and social history, fine art, decorative arts, and even South Asian culture. It also has a famous collection of beetles and exhibits on the textile industry.

British In India Museum

In Nelson, this museum tells the history of the British in India. It includes photographs, uniforms, swords, model soldiers, and paintings.

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Located in the historic Carnforth railway station, this centre in Carnforth explores local history and the area's railroad heritage.

Colne Heritage Centre

The Colne Heritage Centre in Colne focuses on the local history of the town.

Fleetwood Museum

In Fleetwood, the Fleetwood Museum explores local history, culture, and the town's strong maritime heritage, especially its fishing industry.

Heysham Heritage Centre

The Heysham Heritage Centre in Heysham is located in a 17th-century long house and tells the story of local history.

Lancaster City Museum

The Lancaster City Museum in Lancaster covers the city's history, social life, and fine art. It also includes the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.

Lancaster Maritime Museum

Located in the historic Custom House in Lancaster, the Lancaster Maritime Museum explores shipbuilding, harbor trades, merchant trading, fishing, and the natural history of the local bay and ports.

Lytham Heritage Centre

The Lytham Heritage Centre in Lytham showcases local history and art exhibits.

Lytham Windmill Museum

The Lytham Windmill Museum in Lytham is a 19th-century windmill with exhibits about the mill, the millers, and local history and culture.

Museum of Lancashire

The Museum of Lancashire in Preston tells the story of Lancashire's county history, culture, life during World War II, and military history.

Pendle Heritage Centre

The Pendle Heritage Centre in Barrowford is a visitor center that explores local and social history, culture, and art in the Pendle area.

South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre

In Leyland, the South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre covers local history, culture, art, and the textile, rubber, and motor industries of the area.

The Whitaker

Located in Rawtenstall, The Whitaker (formerly Rossendale Museum & Art Gallery) explores local history, fine art, natural history, Victorian rooms, fashion, and furniture.

Whitworth Museum

The Whitworth Museum in Whitworth focuses on local history and is run by the Whitworth Historical Society.

Specialty Museums

These museums focus on unique and fun topics!

Brooks Collectables Toy Museum

In Blackpool, the Brooks Collectables Toy Museum is a paradise for toy lovers! It has die-cast model cars, trains, cameras, and toy soldiers.

Madame Tussauds Blackpool

Visit Madame Tussauds Blackpool in Blackpool to see lifelike wax figures of famous people. Can you tell who's real and who's wax?

Ribchester Roman Museum

The Ribchester Roman Museum in Ribchester is all about the history and artifacts from the Roman-British period in the area. Discover what life was like when the Romans were here!

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Located at Pleasure Beach Blackpool, Ripley's Believe It or Not!#United Kingdom is full of strange and unbelievable exhibits. Prepare to be amazed!

Ruskin Library

Part of the University of Lancaster, the Ruskin Library in Lancaster has exhibits about the Victorian writer and artist John Ruskin, including his pictures, books, and manuscripts.

Ribble Discovery Centre

In Lytham, the Ribble Discovery Centre focuses on the ecology and natural history of the Ribble and Alt Estuaries. It's operated by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and is great for nature lovers.

Defunct Museums

These museums are no longer open, but their collections might have moved to other places!

• 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