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You are here: Home > Things to Do > The Beacon Museum

The Beacon Museum

Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • The Yellow Earl Exhibition at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Children's Play Areas at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Viewing Gallery at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • The Yellow Earl Exhibition at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Children's Pirate Play Area at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • VR Mining Experience at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Children's Circus Play Area at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Binoculars at the Viewing Gallery at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Viewing Gallery Views at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Ship Exhibit and Play Areas at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
  • Children's Dress-Up at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria

Type:Museum

The Beacon Museum, W Strand, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 7LY
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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 336 reviews336 reviews

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Tel01946 592302

About

Situated on Whitehaven's historic Georgian harbour, the Beacon Museum and arts venue tells the story of historic Copeland, which boasts two World Heritage Sites set amongst the western Lakes dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes.

The Beacon Museum traces the social, industrial and maritime heritage of the area, using local characters, audio-visual interactive displays and fascinating museum pieces. From Romans to Russian Samovars, Viking raiders to Victorian traders, the collections and displays represent the vibrant history of Copeland. You can also see history merge with the present in our top floor viewing gallery that offers unrivalled views of Whitehaven and the Solway Coast.

Visitors can delve into the living heritage of the West Cumbrian nuclear industry, within the Sellafield Story, a chronological glimpse into how West Cumbria supported the war effort and, afterwards developed the origins of our Nuclear Industry. The exciting exhibition charts, warts and all, how that early weapons programme grew into a nuclear industry which has supported Cumbria’s economy for the past 60 years, and looks at what the future might be for energy.

The Beacon Museum also punches above its weight in terms of offering a world class blend of local and touring exhibitions that provide different experiences throughout the year, all housed within two state of the art galleries.

Also, don't miss the gift shop which stocks a whole range of locally sourced gifts and presents suitable for all.

The Beacon Portal is Whitehaven’s innovative state of the art venue available for corporate, community and personal hire, capable of hosting a multitude of events in one of the finest settings available in Whitehaven.

For further information please contact us on 01946 592302 or see our website at this link, or on our social media pages.



Howling Wolf Artisan Bakery and Café

Set on the harbourside overlooking the historic harbour. We provide Breakfast and Lunch using locally suppliers where possible, also our coffee and teas are supplied from the Lake District. All our cakes, pastries, and bread are made fresh in our cafe everyday.

Groups by appointment preferred.

View Access Guide

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Book Tickets

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

* School holidays Open 7 days a week, 10am – 4:30pm, Term time: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm, Sunday: 11am-4pm. Last admission: 45 minutes prior to closing. On the first Sunday of every month we host a ‘Quiet Hour’ for the first hour of opening.

Guide Prices

Day Tickets (as of Oct 2023)

Adult £7.00
Concession £5.50
Child £3.50
Family £17.50 (2 adults + 2 children)

Annual Passes

Adult £18.00
Concession £14.00
Child £9.00
Family £50.00 (2 adults + 2 children)

The benefits of being a Beacon Annual pass holder
- Unlimited access to the museum and it’s exhibitions
- 10% off shop purchases
- 20% off workshops/events
- Invitation to come to member-only events
- Monthly e-newsletter with news, exhibition and event listings.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Accessible Seating
  • Accessible Toilet
  • Assistance dogs welcome
  • Changing Places
  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Facilities for hearing impaired
  • Facilities for visually impaired
  • Level Access
  • Wheelchairs available

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (no fee)

Catering

  • On-site catering

Children

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children welcome

Groups

  • Education/study area
  • Facilities for educational visits
  • Facilities for groups

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

  • Facilities for conferencing
  • Facilities for corporate hospitality

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed

Site Features

  • Regional Tourist Board Member
  • Welcome Host

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Access Information

Entrance

Automatic door at the main entrance
Ramp to entrance

Public Areas

Contrast markings on clear surfaces such as glass doors
Good contrast between the floor and walls
Hearing loop installed in public areas
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift:
From the entrance to reception / ticket area
To a specially adapted public toilet suitable for wheelchair users
To the gift shop
Lift equipped with raised floor numbers or braille numbers or letters
Lift equipped with verbal floor announcements
Visitor information available in large print (14pt and over)
Visitor information available in audio format

Food

Good contrast between the floor and walls
Level access (no steps/thresholds) or access by ramp or lift to cafeteria
Menus available in large print (14pt and over)
Restaurant / cafe provide meals for visitors with special dietary requirements:
Gluten free (coeliacs)
Lactose free (dairy free)
Nut free
Vegan
Vegetarian
Seating suitable for wheelchair users, ie moveable and good height for person sitting in a wheelchair

Parking

Designated parking for guests with disabilities
Within 50 metres approx. of entrance
Drop-off point for guests outside entrance
The route from the parking area to the entrance:
Has a ramp
Is flat (i.e. without steps)
The surface of the car park and pathway leading to entrance:
is solid

General

Audible alarm system
Clear signage
Displays at suitable height for wheelchair users / children
Effective lighting for visually impaired visitors
Good colour/tonal contrast for visually impaired visitors
Hearing loop system
Routes/pathways suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility
Seating available for visitors with limited mobility
Wheelchairs provided

This information is self-assessed; therefore we accept no liability for its accuracy. Please contact the venue for further information.

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
336 reviews
    • Excellent
      223
    • Very Good
      85
    • Average
      15
    • Poor
      7
    • Terrible
      6

    Recent Reviews:

      Write a review
      © Tripadvisor 2025

      Awards

      • Visit EnglandVistEngland VAQAS Gold VistEngland VAQAS Gold 2018
      • Cumbria AwardsMember of Cumbria Tourism Member of Cumbria Tourism 2016
      facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebeaconmuseum/

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      Seating at Howling Wolf Artisan Bakery and Café in Whitehaven, CumbriaHowling Wolf Artisan Bakery and Café, WhitehavenWe are an independent cafe situated at the ground floor of the Beacon museum

      Map & Directions

      Map Link

      Click here to view map

      Road Directions

      A595 follow signs for Whitehaven town centre and the brown museum signs. Situated on south of harbour.

      Public Transport Directions

      Accessible by Public Transport: Whitehaven station is 1 mile away.

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