Museums, archives and heritage in Lancashire

Lancashire, or Lancaster, county palatine and maritime shire, in NW. of England. bounded N. by Westmorland and Cumberland, E. by Yorkshire, S. by Cheshire, and W. by the Irish Sea; greatest length, 76 miles; greatest breadth, 45 miles; area, 1,208,154 acres; population 3,454,441. A detached part of the county, known as Furness (25 miles long, 23 miles broad), is separated from the main portion by Morecambe Bay and a part of Westmorland county [note: Furness has been part of Cumbria since 1974]. The coast line of Lancashire is very irregular, the chief inlets being Morecambe Bay, Lancaster Bay, and the estuaries of the Mersey and the Ribble. Towards the shore, which comprises great stretches of sand, the land has generally a flat appearance. In the N. and E. it becomes more elevated. The principal rivers are the Mersey, Ribble, Lune, Wyre, Winster, and Leven. Peat prevails in the soil of the upland districts, while much of the low lying land consists of a rich loam. The chief crops are oats, wheat, and potatoes. Carboniferous limestone abounds in the N. part of the co.; on the coast is the old red sandstone. The great coalfield of Lancashire, the existence of which has greatly contributed towards establishing its pre-eminence as a manufacturing co., covers an area of about 217 sq. miles between the Ribble and the Mersey. Iron is abundant in Furness. Lancashire is intersected by an intricate network of canals and railways. Its immense cotton manufactures have a world-wide fame, while other textile fabrics are largely produced. Its manufactures of machinery of all descriptions are also extensive. Lancashire comprises 6 hundreds and 453 parishes. It is comprised in the dioceses of Liverpool, Manchester, Carlisle, and Ripon.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

14th/20th King’s Hussars Museum

Stanley Street

Preston PR1 4YP

01772 534075

www.lancashire.gov.uk

The museum of Lancashire contains the museums of two historic regiments. The gallery of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars traces the history of the regiment from 1715 and includes two Victoria crosses as well as artefacts from the Napoleonic era and India.

Astley Hall & Coach House

Astley Park, Off Hallgate

Chorley PR7 1NP

01257 515151

www.chorley.gov.uk/astleyhall

Astley Hall is a museum and art gallery housed within a Grade I listed historic house. The hall is set within the beautiful surroundings of Astley Park which include historic woodland, a lake, a fully renovated Victorian walled garden alongside clean and modern facilities for visitors to enjoy. The hall is perhaps best known for its stunning Jacobean plasterwork ceilings and the house is built around an internal Elizabethan courtyard.

Be Prepared – The Story of Scouting

Story of Scouting Museum, Waddecar Scout Activity Centre, Snape Rake Lane

Goosnargh PR3 2EU

01253 354244

www.storyofscouting.org.uk

The museum, the very first purpose-built Scouting museum in the country is situated at Waddecar Scout Activity Centre. It provides over 160 square metres of display and storage space. There are over 2000 books and publications in the library including all the known reference works.

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery

Museum St

Blackburn BB1 7AJ

01254 667130

blackburnmuseum.org.uk

Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is housed in a beautiful ‘Arts and Crafts’ style building in the town centre, near the Town Hall and cinema. It opened in 1874 originally as both a museum and a library, and now offers a lively programme of exhibitions and events for all the family.

Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive

Le Mans Crescent

Bolton BL1 1SE

01204 332211

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk

Bolton is a medium sized regional museum that has its origins in the Chadwick Museum and Mere Hall Art Gallery.

Collections: The museums collection includes archaeology, art, botany, egyptology, entomology, geology, social history, natural history, and zoology.

Bolton Steam Museum

Mornington Road

Bolton BL1 4EU

01204 846490

www.nmes.org

Over 25 textile mill stationary steam engines have been rescued and restored to working order. These include some very rare and unusual types of engine.

British Commercial Vehicle Museum

King Steet

Leyland PR25 2LE

01772 451011

www.bcvm.co.uk

This is one of Britain’s most important heritage collections – a unique display of historic commercial vehicles and buses spanning a century of truck and bus building. Visitors can view an imaginative display of vehicles, which use sound and lighting special effects to give a virtual reality tour for all the exhibits, creating a spectacular and fascinating exhibition.

British Lawnmower Museum

106-114 Shakespeare St

Southport PR8 5AJ

01704 501336

www.lawnmowerworld.com

The museum has now become one of the leading authorities on vintage lawnmowers specialises in antique garden machinery, supplying parts, archive conservation of manuscript materials and valuing machines from all over the world.

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Warton Road

Carnforth LA5 9TR

01524 735165

www.carnforthstation.co.uk

After many years of dereliction the Carnforth Station Trust Company restored the derelict station into what has become an award winning Heritage Centre. Attractions include the Brief Encounter Cinema area and Refreshment Room as seen in David Lean’s film of 1945, various exhibition areas covering past local industry, the golden age of steam and the Bateman Gallery hosting ‘guest’ exhibitions throughout the year.

Clitheroe Castle Museum

Castle Hill

Clitheroe BB7 1BA

01200 424568

Now fully open after a complete makeover, the museum stands high on Castle Hill, in the shadow of the castle Keep, an image which has dominated Clitheroe’s skyline for over 800 years. Explore our ‘hands-on’ galleries, collections and displays which reveal amazing stories and take you on a journey through 350 millions years of history.

Colne Heritage Centre

The Old Colne Grammar School, Church Street

Colne BB8 0AP

01282 871155

Features permanent and changing exhibitions about the ancient market town of Colne. Including a collection of Wallace Hartley memorabilia, the bandmaster who went down with the Titanic in 1912.

Cottage Museum, The

15 Castle Hill

Lancaster LA1 1YS

01524 64637

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Tiny and intriguing 18th century cottage, offering an intimate glimpse of early Victorian life. Meet our Victorian housekeeper.

Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry Museum

Stanley Street

Preston PR1 4YP

01772 264 075

goo.gl/eu0e5J

Re-opened in mid 2011, following a major refurbishment, the museum of Lancashire contains the museums of two historic regiments. The gallery of the 14th/20th King’s Hussars traces the history of the regiment from 1715 and includes two Victoria crosses as well as artefacts from the Napoleonic era and India. The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry collection marks its association with the county with exhibits that include items from World War I in the Middle East, Peterloo, and South Africa.

Earby & District Local History Society

c/o 22 Salterforth Road, Earby

Barnoldswick BB18 6ND

www.earbyhistory.co.uk

Our aims are to raise awareness and interest in the history of the Ancient Parish of Thornton-in-Craven, of which Earby was a part. We aim to facilitate research into the heritage of Earby and District, including Thornton-in-Craven, Kelbrook, Sough, Hague, Harden and Salterforth.

Fleetwood Memorial Park

Warrenhurst Road

Fleetwood

01253 891000

www.wyre.gov.uk/memorialpark

Fleetwood’s Memorial Park is a Grade II listed park in the heart of the town. Memorial Park is unique in that the entire grounds were created in commemoration of the First World War, unlike most conventional architectural memorials, and it is one of only a few listed war memorial parks and gardens in the country.

Fleetwood Museum

Queens Terrace

Fleetwood FY7 6BT

01253 876621

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

The museum explores the story of Fleetwood, the Victorian idealism of Fleetwood’s founder Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood and the architect Decimus Burton, who designed the new Victorian town. Discover Fleetwood’s heyday as a Victorian seaside resort, cargo trade, ferry services, lifeboats, about the docks and industrious fishing industry – both inshore and deep sea, trawlers at war, the chemical giant ICI and so much more.

Gawthorpe Hall – National Trust

Padiham

Nr Burnley BB12 8UA

01282 771004

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gawthorpe-hall

This imposing house, set in tranquil grounds in the heart of urban Lancashire, resembles the great Hardwick Hall and is very probably by the same architect, Robert Smythson. In the middle of the 19th century Sir Charles Barry was commissioned to restore the house, thereby creating the opulent interiors we see today.

Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum

Greenway, off Crompton Way

Bolton BL1 8UA

01204 332211

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk

Hall i’ th’ Wood Museum is a rare surviving example of a Tudor wooden framed house.

Collections: On display are examples of 17th and early 18th century furniture and objects relating to Samuel Crompton and the founder of the museum, Lord Leverhulme.

Harris Museum & Art Gallery

Market Square

Preston PR1 2PP

01772 258248

www.harrismuseum.org.uk

Located in the heart of Preston in a beautiful Grade I listed building, the Harris Museum & Art Gallery hosts a huge range of free exhibitions as well as events and activities for all ages.

Collections: There are three main collection areas – fine art, decorative art and history.

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum

Holcombe Road, Helmshore

Rossendale BB4 4NP

01706 226459

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

18th century water powered fulling mill and a 19th century condenser cotton spinning mill, both with working machinery.

Hoghton Tower

Hoghton Tower

Hoghton PR5 0SH

01254 85 2986

www.hoghtontower.co.uk

Hoghton Tower is one of Lancashire’s gems. A Tudor – Elizabethan manor and the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family, the Tower stands proudly on its hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Horwich Heritage Centre

The Resource Centre, Beaumont Road, (off Longworth Road), Horwich

Bolton BL6 7BG

www.horwichheritage.co.uk

The Heritage Centre is the permanent home of Horwich Heritage and a permanent exhibition is on display there. There are several exhibition areas in the new centre, one of them being Horwich Loco Works, which includes a three-quarter scale model of a locomotive footplate. Other areas include a Victorian kitchen, local industry, a Horwich pub, childhood, local sport, Leverhulme’s Rivington and transport.

Judges’ Lodgings

Church Street

Lancaster LA1 1YS

01524 32808

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Lancaster’s oldest town house, nestled in the shadow of Lancaster Castle. Originally the home of Thomas Covell and later used by judges visiting the Assize Courts, this Grade 1 listed building offers something for all the family. See the splendidly restored period rooms featuring fine furniture by the renowned Gillows of Lancaster. Take a journey through history in the museum of Childhood with our enchanting collection of dolls, toys and games from the 18th century to the present day.

King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum

City Museum, Market Square

Lancaster LA1 1HT

01524 64637

www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com

The museum covers the history of the King’s Own Royal Regiment (4th Regiment of Foot) from its raising in 1680 through to the present day. Displays cover the Napoleonic, Crimean and Abyssinian Campaigns of the 19th century, and the Boer War, Great War and Second World War of the 20th century. The museum’s website is a fascinating resource on the history of the regiment.

Lancashire Archives

Lancashire Record Office, Bow Lane, Preston

Lancashire PR1 2RE

01772 533039

Lancashire Archives collects unique, historic records that reflect Lancashire and Lancashire life – past and present.

Lancashire County Council Cultural Services

CH Room, Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane

Preston PR1 2RE

01772 534021

www.lancashire.gov.uk

We celebrate and bring together the heritage of Lancashire through a wide range of activities showcasing the Local History and Heritage collections held by Lancashire County Council. Collections are housed within these Cultural Services venues.

Lancashire County Council Museum Service

Stanley Street

Preston PR1 4YP

01772 534061

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

The textile industry collections of Lancashire County Museum Service include three former textile mills, textile machinery, photographs, books, catalogues and textile machine manuals. They are located at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Rossendale and Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Burnley.

Lancashire Infantry Museum

Fulwood Barracks

Preston PR2 8AA

01772 260362

www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk

The museum houses the largest military collection in the North West. It covers the history of the County’s three infantry regiments from the raising of Lord Castleton’s Regiment of Foot in 1689 through the several amalgamations that have resulted in the creation of the current Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

Collections: The museum houses the largest military collection in the North West. It covers the history of the County.

Lancaster Castle

Shire Hall, Castle Parade

Lancaster LA1 1YJ

01524 64998

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Discover one of the most important historic monuments in the North West.. This fascinating Grade 1 listed building has dominated Lancaster for almost 1000 years and is one of the best preserved and hardest working castles in the country.

Lancaster City Museum

Market Square

Lancaster LA1 1HT

01524 64637

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Lancaster City Museum is housed in an elegant Georgian building situated at the heart of historic Lancaster. Discover Lancaster’s past from the time of the Romans to the present day. Trace the history of the Lancaster King’s Own regiment. Changing programme of temporary exhibitions.

Lancaster Maritime Museum

St George’s Quay

Lancaster LA1 1RB

01524 382264

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Lancaster Maritime Museum is an award-winning museum set within the former Port of Lancaster Custom House. Let us take you on a journey to discover all things nautical relating to the Morecambe Bay area.

Lancaster Priory

Castle Hill

Lancaster LA1 1YZ

01524 65338

www.lancasterpriory.org

Lancaster Priory & Parish Church in North West England – just south of the Lake District – dates from the 11th century, though there has been a church on this site from 630 A.D. and maybe in Roman times.

Lewis Textile Museum

Exchange Street

Blackburn BB1 7JN

01254 667 130

blackburnmuseum.org.uk

The Lewis Textile Museum on Exchange Street, facing the Town Hall and just around the corner from Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, tells the story of the town’s cotton industry and features a programme of textile based exhibitions.

Littleborough Museum

Littleborough OL15

01706 377 685

www.littleboroughshistory.org/page4.html

This collection has been made up of pieces that are directly or indirectly related to the people of this community. Using the many artefacts that are on display, the collection hopes to bring to life the long and colourful history of the town and its people, taking a particular interest in the way that normal people’s lives have changed with the advent of new technology and working practices.

Lytham Windmill Heritage Museum

The Windmill, Lytham Green

Lytham FY8 5LD

01253 794 879

www.lythamwindmill.co.uk

Built on what is now Lytham Green in 1805, the Windmill is the landmark that everyone sees when they come to Lytham. One of several mills on the Fylde, Lytham Mill was worked until 1919 when a fire destroyed most of the machinery.

Marsh Mill Windmill

76 Barton Street

Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 4AE

01253 860765

www.friends-of-marshmill.com

Marsh Mill itself is the finest, well preserved example of its kind in the north west of England. It was built in 1974 by Ralph Slater who was a Fylde Millwright. It was commissioned by Bold Hesketh, uncle of Peter Hesketh (later Peter Hesketh-Fleetwood) who would go on to play a prominent role in the expansion of Fleetwood.

Museum of Lancashire

Stanley Street

Preston PR1 4YP

01772 534075

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Explore 2000 years of Lancashire history with our fantastic new range of family friendly, interactive galleries. Explore a range of objects which will introduce you to the story of Lancashire.

North West Sound Archive

Old Steward’s Office, Castle Grounds, Clitheroe Castle

Clitheroe BB7 1BA

01200 427897

www.gmcro.co.uk/other/NWSA/nwsa.htm

The North West Sound Archive has around 50,000 such recordings of BBC Radio Manchester as well as over 110,000 sound recorded items and 2.5 tonnes of 78-rpm gramophone records ranging from George Formby to the Halle Orchestra. There are internationally important collections including the survey of English dialect and solidarity speeches from the Dockyards of Poland.

Ormskirk & District Family History Society

PO Box 213, Aughton

Ormskirk L39 5WT

01695 578780

www.odfhs.org.uk

Explores genealogy in south west Lancashire.

Pendle Heritage Centre

Park Hill, Barrowford

Nelson BB9 6JQ

01282 677152

www.htnw.co.uk

Pendle Heritage Centre, listed grade II buildings, incorporates a museum, art gallery, parlour shop, tea-room, 18th century walled garden, cruck-barn, tourist information centre and conference facilities.

Queen Street Mill Textile Museum

Harle Syke

Burnley BB10 2HX

01282 412555

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Queen Street Mill Textile Museum is the last remaining operational steam powered weaving mill in the world. The museum collections are designated as being of national importance and the boilerhouse, enginehouse and chimney have Ancient Monument status.

Ribble Steam Railway & Museum

Chain Caul Road

Preston PR2 2PD

01772 728800

www.ribblesteam.org.uk

A visit to the Ribble Steam Railway will not only give you the opportunity to travel along the one-and-a half-mile dock and riverside line, but also access our extensive museum and workshop. On site we have over 40 industrial locomotives, including Deltic Prototype currently on loan from The National Railway Museum.

Ribchester Museum of Roman Antiquities

Riverside, Ribchester

Preston PR3 3XS

01254 878 261

www.ribchesterromanmuseum.org

Roman Ribchester is brought to life by dramatic displays, which contain a life size cavalryman, Roman legionary and exciting interactive exhibits. Columns have been erected for the first time in 2000 years and there are wonderful objects, including weaponry, jewellery and leatherwork alongside favourites like the replica of the Ribchester Parade Helmet and the impressive sculpture of a cavalryman riding down his Celtic adversary.

Roman Bath House

Castle Hill

Lancaster LA1 1YS

01524 64637

goo.gl/DtiOu1

Discovered and excavated in 1973-4, the Roman bath-house in Vicarage Field, Lancaster, formed one end of a large courtyard house, probably the home of a Roman official. It was demolished in about 340AD to make way for a new and massive stone fort. Part of the fort wall, known as the ‘Wery Wall’, can also be seen.

Rufford Old Hall – National Trust

Rufford

nr Ormskirk L40 1SG

01704 821254

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall

One of Lancashire’s finest 16th-century buildings. The spectacular Great Hall has an intricately carved ‘moveable’ wooden screen and dramatic hammer-beam roof.

Samlesbury Hall

Preston New Road

Preston PR5 0UP

01254 812010

www.samlesburyhall.co.uk

Samlesbury Hall is Lancashire’s foremost ancestral home offering a variety of facilities ensuring a great day out. Samlesbury Hall boasts three main galleries that show new and exciting exhibitions from a variety of different artistic disciplines.

Smithills Hall

Smithills Dean Road

Bolton BL1 7NP

01204 332377

www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/historic-halls

One of Bolton’s original family homes, Smithills Hall is a Grade 1 listed building, full of history and drama.

Collections: Furniture: 17th century;18th century;19th century; Arts and Crafts movement. Decor: from mediaeval to Arts and Crafts. Paintings: mainly from 18th to 19th century.

South Ribble Museum & Exhibition Centre

The Old Grammar School, Church Road

Leyland PR25 3FJ

01772 422041

south-ribble.co.uk/srmuseum

The Leyland Free Grammar School was established by Henry ffarington in 1524, and the present building was probably erected on this site about 1580. Although extended a century later most of the structure has been changed very little.

Collections: Includes finds from E.E.Pickering’s 1946-58 excavations on the Roman supply base at Walton-le-Dale. Small economic and socisl history collections reflect the South Ribble district’s economic development (textiles/cloth bleaching etc).

Towneley Hall Art Gallery & Museum

Towneley Park

Burnley BB11 3RQ

01282 424213

www.burnley.gov.uk/residents/towneley-hall

Towneley Hall is a council-owned museum and art gallery, offering an intriguing combination of historic art collection alongside a changing programme of contemporary exhibitions.

Turton Tower

Chapeltown Road, Turton

Nr Bolton BL7 0HG

01204 852203

www.turtontower.co.uk

A delightful Tudor house in woodland gardens. A distinctive 15th century English country house. Set in relaxing woodlands on the edge of the popular walking area of the West Pennine Moors.

Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre

85 Manchester Road

Burnley BB11 1JZ

01282 452403

www.weaverstriangle.co.uk

Discover what it was like to live in a 19th century Lancashire mill town. From the Visitor Centre, walk through the Weavers’ Triangle – a unique Victorian industrial landscape.

Whitaker, The

Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall

Rossendale BB4 6RE

01706 260785

www.lancashire.gov.uk/museums

Set within tranquil Whitaker Park. Displays include a late Victorian drawing room, fine arts and furniture.