OPENING TIMES:

Swaledale Museum is closed for the Winter.

The Museum, Shop & Café are open daily 10.30 to 5.30 to the end of October and often at other times depending on volunteer availability. We are happy to open by appointment, welcome groups and organise customised visits.

The Archive can be used preferably by contacting us in advance.

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 one night, week-end or weekly let.

Some Comments from our Visitors’ Book:

'Brilliant Museum an example for all’
J. Monahan from London WC1

‘Marvelous, just what a museum should be’
R. & J. Machling from Castel Douglas, Scotland

‘A fascinating journey back in time’
Mrs Shephard from New South Wales Australia

‘A treasure trove of interesting things! ‘
Wolfgang Stover from Hamburg

‘Lovely to see the museum thriving - our third year here’
Bass Family from Essex

‘Top Bombing’
Ravi Hardy from Hardraw, Wensleydale

'Fascinating and shed light on an area we have known and enjoyed for years' Anne and Ken from Easingwold, York

'What a wonderful treasure you have here - so glad I didn't miss it', Lesli from Martha's Vineyard, USA

'... one of the best museums on local history I have visited', Joe and Ann from Tamworth, Staffordshire

'Could spend a whole day in here! Great', Helen and Naylor from Queenstown, New Zealand

'The museum is a terrific asset to Swaledale in so many ways - thank you', Margaret from Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire

ENTRY CHARGES

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

£3 for adults
Children 16 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!