Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

The Beacon

Alex Saint

Visit now

The Beacon

West Strand, Whitehaven, CA22 2DW
01946 592302
Website
  • Tuesday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Friday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 4:30pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 4:30pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Visit now
TheBeacon, courtesy of venue
Book now

Right out on the windy west coast of Cumbria is The Beacon, which has provided a well-used museum service for local families and visitors since it reopened in purpose built gallery spaces in 1996. It draws on rich collections  – fine and decorative arts, social history, archaeology and natural sciences – that tell the story of the area, in particular the maritime history of Whitehaven. The interpretation is lively, with lots of activities for children.

What's on near The Beacon

See all events

Where to go near The Beacon

Cumbria
Gallery
Lowes Court Gallery

Lowes Court Gallery in Egremont aims to showcase the quality of traditional and contemporary Cumbrian craft, led by a membership of artists.

Cumbria
Gallery
Florence Arts Centre

Florence Mine has been transformed into a centre for cultural activity, offering workshops, gallery space, cinema and music venue.

Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven
Cumbria
Theatre
Rosehill Theatre

A cosy theatre, offering a diverse range of arts and entertainment, in an exceptional setting on the outskirts of Whitehaven.

Cumbria
Wastwater

Wastwater is the deepest lake in England at 258 feet and one of the most dramatic spots in the country to swim.

Cumbria
Museum
Muncaster Castle

The Muncaster Castle estate takes in a haunted castle, bluebell woods, Hawk and Owl Centre and more.

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth, image via Visit Cumbria
Cumbria
Music venue
The Kirkgate, Cockermouth

A theatre-cum cinema in Cockermouth offering a wide programme of touring theatre, music, independent film and events to townsfolk and visitors.

See all places

Cumbria District Guides

Carlisle and Keswick, Cumbria

Our guide to things to do in Carlisle, a city framed by its famous castle, and the ‘honeypot’ town of Keswick in Cumbria.

Cockermouth and West Cumbria

Our guide to West Cumbria, with its independent, industrial streak, and Wordsworth’s birthplace, Cockermouth.
Allan Bank, Grasmere, image courtesy of Visit Cumbria
South Lakes, Cumbria

No trip to Cumbria is complete without a visit to the South Lakes, Coniston and Grizedale among them. Here’s our guide.
Things to do in Penrith
Things to do in Penrith and the Surrounding Area

With the picturesque Lake District to the west and the sweeping ridge of the Pennines to the east, Penrith is a stunning cultural destination.
York Castle Museum
Things to do in Kendal

Kendal is a key destination in the Lake District, packed with fantastic places to visit as well as a wide range of high-quality restaurants, bars and pubs.
Things to do in Eden Valley, Cumbria

Our guide to the best things to do in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria, which stretches from Sedbergh to Penrith.
Kendal and Sedbergh, Cumbria

Packed with fantastic places to visit and a wide range of high-quality restaurants, bars and pubs, there’s loads to do in Kendal and Sedbergh.

Culture Guides

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Cinema in the North

A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...