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Mother with two children using an interactive display in the museum

Craven Museum

Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am till 4.30pm

FREE ENTRY

Connect with local characters and landscapes from the past in our family friendly, accessible museum. We care for a treasure trove of around 60,000 objects representing millions of years of Craven history. Whether you like rocks or rare books, photographs or furniture, art or taxidermy – you’ll find it here.

Child using an interactive display at Craven Museum
Two women walking through the museum looking at the displays
Two young boys using an interactive display in the museum
Two teenage girls looking at a glass case in the museum. One has long hair and the other curly shoulder length hair.
Image of an old book, Shakespeare's First Folio, open to a page reading 'The Tragedie of Romeo and Juliet'.
Roman oil lamp made of clay with some patternned decoration.
Old black caving helmet with a lamp on the front. There is a yellow caving suit in the background.
Wooden carved mouse.

Robert Thompson’s unique mouse motif carved into a piece of his wooden furniture.

Welcome to Craven Museum

See the amazing First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, printed in 1623. Marvel at the skill and beauty of rare items from prehistoric and Roman times. Explore the limestone caves of Craven. Find out what it was really like to live in Skipton at the time of Queen Victoria. Enjoy our display of furniture by master craftsman Robert Thompson – the Mouseman. The words of Craven people are woven throughout, bringing to life the stories and treasures on display. The museum is suitable for all ages. Come and see what you can discover for yourself!

Collection Stories

Find out the fascinating stories behind some of our star objects.

Discover more about the varied and exciting Craven Museum collection. See highlights from the displays and special items from the museum stores.

Explore the Collection

Objects inside a museum case including a book on bellringing.

Community Case

What would you put in a museum case?

Our Community Case offers local groups an opportunity to showcase exhibitions that are important to them. We are keen to support local people to share their research on local topics, archives and artefacts. The Community Case is open to the public whenever the main gallery is open and new displays will be installed every three months.

If you have an idea for a new display in the Community Case, please email us to request an Exhibition Proposal form at museum@cravendc.gov.uk

A woman is holding up and examining a plack stone in a museum store.

Store Tours
& Research Visits

Book one of our behind the scenes tours and find out how we look after all our amazing collections. Research visits are also available to book to see specific items from the collection.

Find out more

Old teddy bear.

Object Donations

Request to donate an object to the collection.

Craven Museum collects items relating to life in the Craven region from prehistory to the present day!

If you have any objects or photographs you wish us to consider for the Craven Museum Collection please contact us to request an enquiry form at museum@cravendc.gov.uk

Relaxed Museum Sessions

Download Craven Museum Trails

You can also pick up free trail sheets when you visit us.

Image of a hippo skull

Spotlight Trail

This trail features eight objects not to miss on your visit to Craven Museum.
For all ages

Illustration of someone crawling through a cave wearing a yellow helmet and red caving suit.

Activity Trail

This trail includes lots of fun activities to help you explore the museum collection.

Age 7+

Illustration of a green steam train

Movement Trail

Use this trail to move around the museum like people from the past.
Age 2+

illustration of door pannels with text that reads 'Craven Museum' Cabinet'

Collector’s Cabinet

Draw your favourite objects from the museum to fill your own cabinet.

Age 3+

Young girl wearing a blue gingham school uniform dress is wearing white gloves and handling a clay pot.

◼ Learning & Schools

Learn with us!

There are lots of fun ways to learn at Skipton Town Hall.

School visits can now enjoy workshops in our new state of the art Education Room. We can also provide outreach visits, streamed workshops and digital resources. Free handling collection loan boxes are available to borrow.

We also host a programme of creative workshops suitable for all ages and specialist heritage talks.

Find out more

Two women look at the gallery display. One of them is holding a baby.

Please give us your Feedback

How was your visit to Craven Museum?

Your feedback can really help us to improve our visitor experience and secure funding for the important work that we do. Please complete this short survey after your visit to Craven Museum.

Fill in the Craven Museum & Gallery survey

Two teenage girls looking at a greetings card and smiling.

Shop With Us

Many of the products in our gift shop have been inspired by items from the Craven Museum collection. Items include unique and locally produced crafts. By shopping with us you are directly supporting the museum, heritage events, and our outreach work across the district.

Shop Online

 

A woman is showing a museum object to some school children. They are all sat round a table and wearing white gloves.

Support Us

You can support the valuable work we do in a variety of ways. Help us to inspire and enrich the lives of our audiences through unforgettable experiences, innovative learning and outreach programmes.

Find out more

 

Cotton Reels

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