Shibden Hall

Set in the picturesque Shibden valley, a mile from Halifax, Shibden Hall dates back to 1420 and offers visitors a fascinating journey through the lives of the people who lived and worked here, including the noted diarist Anne Lister (1791 – 1840). Shibden Hall’s architecture is a mix of styles reflecting its interesting and varied history.

The adjacent 17^th century aisled barn and workshops house a carriage collection and displays relating to different crafts, including a blacksmiths, coopers, wheelwrights and saddlers. Shibden even has a recreated brewhouse and inn. 

The Hall is surrounded by the beautifully restored gardens and estate that forms Shibden Park. There are a range of features and attractions, including a cafe and visitor facilities, miniature railway, boating lake, pitch & putt course as well as trails, play area, orienteering course and woodland in which to roam.

Smith Art Gallery

This purpose built Art Gallery and public library, known as ‘The Rydings’, is surrounded by a beautiful park and gardens.

The front gallery hosts an exhibition of oil paintings, based on People and Places, including works by Atkinson Grimshaw, Marcus Stone and Thomas Sydney Cooper.

The rear gallery hosts changing displays, covering a wide variety of themes from local artists to touring exhibitions, including photography, mixed media and sculpture, ensuring there is always something new and different to enjoy.

The gallery was built by Alderman William Smith and donated, along with his collection of artwork, to the people of Brighouse in 1907.

Streetlife Museum

Climb aboard at the Streetlife Museum of Transport and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the past. Admission to the Streetlife Museum is free.

Experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940’s high street, board a tram or enjoy the pleasures of our carriage ride.

Fairfax House Museum

Come and unlock the splendour within the finest Georgian town house in England. A classical architectural masterpiece of its age, Fairfax House was originally the winter home of Viscount Fairfax. Its richly decorated interior was designed by York’s most distinguished eighteenth-century architect, John Carr.

Extensively adapted in the twentieth century as a cinema and dance hall, Fairfax House was saved from decay and returned to its former glory by York Civic Trust in 1982-84.

Today, Fairfax House once more transports you to the splendour of city-living in Georgian York, the centre of polite society. The superb Noel Terry collection of furniture, clocks, paintings and decorative arts, described by Christie’s as one of the finest private collections of the twentieth century, perfectly complements the house, bringing it to life and creating a special lived-in feeling.

Knaresborough Castle and Court House Museum

It may seem peaceful now, but Knaresborough Castle was once a mighty stronghold of medieval kings. Take in the awe-inspiring views and then discover the dungeon, ancient graffiti and special secret tunnel. Inside the museum you’ll find tales of local characters including Blind Jack, Guy Fawkes and Mother Shipton. You’ll also find the rare, original Tudor court room where suspected criminals faced public trail.

Brontë Parsonage Museum

We are one of the oldest literary societies in the world, founded in 1893 and today we have a thriving worldwide membership. The Brontë Society is a charity and depends entirely on admissions and the generosity of members for its income. It is responsible for running the famous Brontë Parsonage Museum in the picturesque village of Haworth in West Yorkshire, once the home of the Brontë family and also for promoting the Brontës’ literary legacy within contemporary society.

The Brontë collections at the Brontë Parsonage Museum are the largest and most important in the world and continue to inspire scholars, writers and artists. Our Contemporary Arts Programme includes literary events, exhibitions, artistic responses, a competition and festivals, and our lifelong learning programme enables us to reach students of all ages across the country.

Becoming a member of the Brontë Society supports our work especially as we celebrate the bicentenaries of Charlotte Brontë in 2016, Branwell Brontë in 2017,  Emily Brontë in 2018 and Anne Brontë in 2020. By joining today you will assist us maintain the legacy of this remarkable family whose novels remain as popular today as when they were first published in the first half of the nineteenth century.

The Prison and Police Museum

The history of policing is traced through displays of uniforms and artefacts from the Trust’s extensive collections of police and prison memorabilia.

The complex of buildings in St Marygate served Ripon as the House of Correction for Vagrants (1686-1816), Liberty Prison (1816-1878) and Police Station (1887-1956). The Museum, first opened in 1984, reopened in 2004 following a complete refurbishment.

The museum is housed in a building which formed part of the former House of Correction and Liberty Gaol and which is now an integral part of the overall attraction of the museum. The building’s origins go back to the late 17th Century but the part now occupied by the museum was built as Ripon Liberty Prison in 1816 and continued to function as such until May, 1878 when it, along with numerous other local prisons throughout the country, was closed as part of a government reform of prisons.

The building did not lie empty for long as in 1887 when the Ripon City Police Force was amalgamated into the West Riding Constabulary it became the Police Station for Ripon. The local force had occupied their own Police Station and Lock Up in Kirkgate prior to their demise.

The West Riding Constabulary occupied the building until moving to the present Police Station in North Street when it passed into private hands. The use of the building when it was a Prison and later a Police Station are being interpreted in new displays in the revamped museum.

In the yard are items such as a pillory, a whipping post and a Police Box.

Visitors will be greeted by a rather sombre scene with a desk manned by an old fashioned Constable dressed in a closed neck tunic. This is to highlight the stark use the building had as a prison and a police station.

On passing into the main building itself you will be left in no doubt about the functions of the building when you are greeted by unfortunate individuals incarcerated by several means.

In the next room an audio visual presentation will inform you about the museum and the various displays therein. Policing from Anglo Saxon Times to the formation of the Professional Police in 1829 is the theme here.

Next to visit is the room which used to be the Chapel when it was a prison and a parade room, mess room and report writing room when it was a police station. The theme here is Police uniforms and headgear.

Also on the ground floor are displays of Police Insignia and about 20th Century and Present Day Policing.

On the first floor you will see a prisoner in a Victorian Cell and can also experience what it is like to be in a cell – empty except for you, a hard wooden bed and a slops bucket in the corner! Other displays illustrate the punitive exercises which were used in prisons, types of punishments meted out, transportation, the establishment of H.M. Prison Service. Temporary short term exhibitions will also be mounted on this floor.

Mercer Art Gallery

Come on in! Something for everyone

Otley Museum and Archive Trust

A comprehensive collection of documents and photographs
tells the story of this Wharfedale community
from prehistoric times to the 20th century.
A fascinating insight into Otley’s heritage 
and a key resource for both the amateur and professional researcher.

Bradford Industrial Museum

Moorside Mills was built around 1875 as a small worsted spinning Mill by John Moore. Ownership of the mills changed many times, and they developed and grew. In 1970, Bradford Council bought Moorside Mills from Messrs. W & J Whitehead to create an innovative museum.

Bradford’s Industrial Museum has permanent displays of textile machinery, steam power, engineering, printing machinery and motor vehicles, along with an exciting exhibitions programme. You can enjoy the splendour of Moorside House where the Mill Manager lived, or visit the Mill-workers’ terraced houses dressed to reflect three different time periods.