OPENING TIMES for 2014 SEASON

14th May to 4th October 

Everyday 10.00 am to 5 pm

with exciting new Upper Gallery Exhibition

‘PEOPLE OF THE DALE’

Click posters to view larger

On advertised Fridays there will be special late night openings until 8pm, with short talks and tours by the curator.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The Swaledale Museum is an independent Museum run by volunteers with the aims of collecting, displaying and making publicly accessible the local heritage of Swaledale and Arkengarthdale.

Housed in the Methodist Day School built in 1836 the lively displays and hands-on exhibits explain the development of the area from its geological foundations, via early human occupation in the Iron Age, to the growth and decline of lead mining between the 1650s and1950s. You can learn how the stone walls were built, how local crafts flourished, and how people lived.

The Museum is set amidst spectacular scenery in the centre of the busy village of Reeth, the gateway to the most northern Dales. With beautiful walks, good eating and plenty to do, you can even stay with us in our Museum Cottage, an historic building fully modernised, for self-catering weekends, part and whole weeks and longer.

Some Comments from our Visitors’ Book:

Grace from West Sussex - April 2013
‘Have come here before and LOVE it. Only museum I like. Keep going’

Peter and LIsa from Buckinghamshire, - April 2013
‘What a treasure! Thank you for all the excellent (large print) signage’

Luke and Val from Halifax - April 2013
‘Delightful little museum - full of interest & well laid out’

Gareth from Islington, London - May 2013
‘A fantastic summary of life here’

Mike & Val from Devon - June 2013
‘So very good - tremendous display. Curator so helpful’

Mike from Lancashire - June 2013
‘Probably the best small local museum I have been to. Brilliant constantly interesting and surprising’

John from Sydney, Australia - June 2013
‘An excellent collection of things NOT to be forgotten’

Arnold and Sheila from Middlesbrough - July 2013
‘Came to see the Bothroyd Clock made by my Great Great Grandfather’

Shirley from Worcestershire - August 2013
‘Best personal museum I’ve been to, look forward to next year’

Jude from Devon - August 2013
‘I could spend hours here!’

Kath from Lancashire - September 2013
‘Lovely re-use of old building. Just the right size, potted history of the dales, don’t lose it!’

ENTRY CHARGES

There is an entry charge to the Museum which helps us stay open and active:

£3 for adults
Children 12 or under and accompanied by an adult FREE.

DISPLAYS include:

• GEOLOGY
• PREHISTORIC LANDSCAPE ARCHAEOLOGY
• LEAD MINING (and coal & chert quarrying)
• TOOLS & TRADES (masons, wallers, joiners, blacksmiths, clogmakers & tinsmiths)
• FARMING (Hay,Sheep & Cows)
• THE DALES KITCHEN
• SHOPS & SHOPPING in the Dales
• VERNACULAR BUILDING
• MUSIC & METHODISM
• LOCAL CRAFTS (from crochet to quilts)
• ARCHIVE & LIBRARY specialising in LOCAL & FAMILY HISTORY
• SHOP & CAFE and lots more!