Hands on History Museum

The Hands On History Museum is in the old Grammar School where William Wilberforce studied. The museum houses the story of Hull and its people and offers a fascinating glimpse into Victorian times. The museum also features an Egyptian Gallery.

WHAT’S HERE

Local history collections, from toys and everyday utensils to high fashion costume, detail the history of Hull and its people while hands on displays offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Victorian child. An Egyptian gallery is also home to a 2,600 year old mummy and unique replica treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Wilberforce House Museum

Wilberforce House is the birthplace of William Wilberforce, famous campaigner against the slave trade. Admission to Wilberforce House is free. The museum tells the story of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition, as well as dealing with contemporary slavery. Galleries also offer a fascinating glimpse into West African culture.

The permanent displays at Wilberforce House include journals and items that belonged to William Wilberforce, including original costume. There are many significant items linked to slavery and the campaign to abolish it.

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.

Cliffe Castle Museum

Cliffe Castle  was originally the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield. Completed in the 1880s the building was funded by the Butterfield family’s industrial empire which included wool textile mills and a shipping business that took British goods to Europe, America and China.

The completed house was a showpiece of international art and French decoration. It was the scene of many glittering social events. Butterfield family connections included  the Roosevelt’s of America and members of the court of Napoleon III.

In the 1950s the Castle was bought by Sir Bracewell Smith, a local man who became Lord Mayor of London. Sir Bracewell used architect Sir Albert Richardson to turn Cliffe Castle’s gardens into a grand public park and remodelled the Castle to be a free museum for the people of the district.

In recent years Cliffe Castle has undergone a major restoration. Visitors can see sparkling Victorian rooms and furniture, paintings, and decorative art. Special galleries deal with natural history, archaeology and social history, all of which can be seen on your visit along with the internationally important display of stained glass by Morris and Co. The Castle also hosts changing exhibitions from our collections and the community.Family areas ensure that there is something for all ages.

North Lincolnshire Museum

North Lincolnshire Museum offers great day out for all the family. Featuring a range of permanent galleries and a changing exhibition gallery, the Museum offers a history experience for all the family. You can explore through a range of award winning collections and interactive displays. 

After receiving an Arts Council England grant in 2015, we were delighted to open our brand new room for under-fives in summer 2016. The room offers a fun and safe environment for children to play and learn. Come and explore our archaeological dig and mini museum wall displays.

During the summer of 2017 we also opened our brand new Jurassic Sea gallery and a new Steel Town gallery, complete with children’s interactive areas, local history objects and stories.

Our Courtyard Tearoom and garden area offers a range of snacks and drinks. We also have a gift shop. Free Wi-Fi is available within some gallery areas and within our tearoom and courtyard area.

Museum of Rail Travel

Over 70 TV and film productions have featured restored railway carriages from this multi-award winning museum. Sit in our carriages and imagine what rail travel used to be like. Sound and video presentations help to bring the past to life. Numerous signs, posters and small exhibits.

Adjacent to Ingrow Loco Museum and Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. When the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway trains are operating, Green Day Rover tickets include Keighley & Worth Valley Railway train travel and admission to both museums. Check our website for details of special vintage train days when you can travel in our carriages on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.

Cowes Maritime Museum

The Museum displays a selection of objects and images which help to tell the story of Cowes and its important maritime heritage.

The museum exhibits objects and images from the Maritime Collection. You can see a model paddle steamer, lifeboats and other ships built by J. Samuel White & Co Ltd of Cowes. 
The museum is situated within Cowes Library. Entrance to Cowes Maritime Museum is free of charge.

The Museum has an extensive photographic and paper archive depicting yachting and the shipbuilding industry in Cowes. The reserve collection is held within the museum store and is accessible by appointment only.

The Duke of Wellingtonʼs Regiment Museum

Representing over 300 years of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, since its raising in 1702, this museum tells the stories of the soldiers who served using their own words.

The ‘Iron Duke’, Arthur Wellesley, was the Colonel of the 33rd which became, after his death, the only Regiment to be named after a person not of the Royal Blood. Displays include items relating to the Duke himself and to the rich and varied history of the regiment, including the campaigns of 33rd and 76th foot.

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment has a long association with the town of Halifax and its location within Bankfield Museum complements the wider history on display here.

Mercer Art Gallery

Come on in! Something for everyone

Castleford Forum Museum

Castleford Forum Museum invites visitors to:

• follow the history of Castleford from the Bronze Age to the modern day. 

• discover why the Castleford area was a great and important meeting place for Bronze Age people.

• view a unique and special Iron Age chariot. See objects from Castleford’s time as an important Roman town.

Not forgetting marbles, rugby, mining and pottery!

This new museum space also features four very special changing displays with content created in partnership with local groups and people. One of the opening displays will be about how rugby plays an important role in people’s lives.

There is also  a display in the local studies area of the refurbished building celebrating Henry Moore and his connections with Castleford.