While away an afternoon in Lancashire’s Art Galleries or Museums

For those who love to add a little culture to their holidays and days out, Lancashire’s museums and art galleries provide the perfect place. While away and afternoon exploring some of the rich heritage of the county, or enjoying artwork from all over the world.
 

Museums
 

Lancashire museums are full of history, interesting artifacts and beautiful treasures, let your imagination and intrigue run wild as you discover the stories behind all these fascinating pieces.

Clitheroe Castle Museum

The award-winning Clitheroe Castle Museum tells the story of the historic market town and the Castle itself. From local industry and heroes to folklore and legends, the exhibits, touchscreen animations, and sound points make it a shared experience for everyone to enjoy. After visiting the museum, make sure to climb to the top of the castle for stunning 360 degree views of the Lancashire countryside.

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Queen Street Mill

With Lancashire strong industrial past, you can’t go far without seeing evidence of the times when the streets rang with millworkers’ chatter and the sounds of clogs on the cobbles. At Queen Street Mill you can join a guided tour of one of the buildings that was integral to the areas industry, and discover what life was like as a cotton mill worker.

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The British Commercial Vehicle Museum

Submerge yourself in the sounds, smells and sights from a bygone era. In this sensory experience you can hear the real stories of factory workers, drivers and inventors whose innovations shaped the lives of everyone. The museum charts the history of commercial vehicles since the 1800s and is housed in the original inspection building of Leyland Motors.

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Judges Lodgings

What better way to get to know the historic city of Lancaster than to visit its oldest town house? The Judge’s Lodges was once home to the travelling Red Judges of the Assizes Courts who decided the fate of murderers, forgers and highwaymen at the nearby Lancaster Castle. The museum now houses a collection of Georgian Furniture by Gillows of Lancaster and the popular Museum of Childhood.

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Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery

Impressing visitors since it opened in 1874, this summer will be no different, even while undergoing a few repairs. The museum has a great programme of events, including regular Saturday craft sessions for children, plus visitors can find out so much about the rich history of the cotton industry, explore the skill and labour area and view the museum’s impressive collection of taxidermy birds.

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Showtown Museum

Blackpool’s brand new £13m Showtown Museum will be the latest addition to the county’s museums when it opens next March. You can experience a taster of what is expected from the museum with the pop up events hosted by the museum ahead of its highly anticipated opening.

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Art Galleries
 

Lancashire’s art galleries showcase fine art, historic costumes, contemporary art and textiles from artists and creators from Lancashire and across the region and beyond.

The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery

The Whitaker museum and art gallery, aims to foster inclusive, vibrant communities that thrive within their natural environment. The art on show is just as much about the future than the past and offers chances for people to take part in the development of the community. The art gallery frequently runs activities and features park, gardens and kitchen, making it the perfect place to enjoy a whole day.

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Carnes Fine Art

An independent art gallery specialising in original paintings and sculptures located in the heart of the countryside at Cedar Farm. The gallery works directly with local artists and those across the UK to help share a true understanding of their works and the inspiration that led to them.

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Longitude Gallery

At this independent art gallery you will find beautiful pieces of art available to view and buy, with a large selection from local artists, allowing you to take a little Lancashire home with you.  Each month the Gallery holds a Saturday session where you can hear from an artist about their inspirations and designs and take part in a practical workshop where you can learn about creating art the artists style. 

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Haworth Art Gallery

The Haworth Art Gallery is the perfect place to while away a few hours in the heart of Lancashire. A whole country house designed in the arts and crafts style full to the brim of art inspired by nature, and a whole exhibition dedicated to Joseph Briggs and his amazing collection of Tiffany Glass. In the historic stables and motor house you can find local Artist Studios where skilled craftspeople sell their wares so you can take a little bit of Lancashire home with you.

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Gawthorpe Textiles Collection

Discover historic and contemporary lace, quilts, costume, samplers and embroidery from all over the world right here in Lancashire. The Gawthorpe Textiles Collection is spread across five galleries are the truly beautiful Gawthorpe Hall in Pennine Lancashire and is not to be missed by any needlework lover. The collection includes an in-situ reference library of art, design and craft books and an archive of founder Miss Rachel’s letters.

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Outdoor art
 

If you’re taking advantage of a little sunshine, or a clear day, it’s good to know that you can enjoy art outdoors in Lancashire. With Cleveleys’ Mythic Coast Trail, Morecambe’s Tern Project and Pendle’s Sculpture Trail all perfect to explore. Alternatively, you can stop by one of Lancashire’s four Panopticons, which form a series of large sculptures that oversee areas of East Lancashire.

These suggestions are just some of the fantastic places to enjoy culture in Lancashire. For more, head to our Culture, Arts and Heritage in Lancashire pages.