Name: The Dock Museum
Rating: 5.0

The Dock Museum

North Road, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2PW, England

1-90 Years

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Description

The Dock Museum is a striking heritage centre built over a 19th-century dry dock in Barrow-in-Furness that is one of the best things to do with kids in Cumbria. This waterfront museum explores the industrial heart of the town, featuring massive ship models, a dedicated Viking gallery, and an outdoor playground overlooking the docks. It is an ideal spot for families to explore local history through hands-on galleries and impressive engineering feats.

Visiting this museum is incredibly budget-friendly as prices start from £0.00, meaning entry is free for all visitors. This makes it a rare and high-value destination for families looking to explore without the pressure of ticket costs. While some temporary exhibitions or workshops may carry a small fee, the core experience remains accessible to everyone.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that blends local culture with outdoor play, The Dock Museum is perfect. It offers a high-quality educational day out where children can learn about submarine building and heavy industry in a way that is easy to understand. With its mix of indoor galleries and outdoor spaces, it is a versatile choice for any weather.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Viking Gallery: A permanent exhibit featuring the "Furness Hoard," which includes silver coins and weights found locally that tell the story of the area's Viking past.
Ship Model Collection: An impressive display of high-quality models representing the diverse vessels built in Barrow, from ocean liners to modern submarines.
The Dry Dock: You can explore the actual 19th-century stonework of the dock, giving kids a real sense of the scale of industrial engineering.
Victorian Barrow Gallery: A walk-through recreation of a Victorian street that lets children see how local people lived and worked over a century ago.
The Outdoor Playground: A ship-themed play area that allows kids to burn off steam while enjoying views of the channel.
The Sustainability Hub: A fresh interactive exhibit focusing on the future of green energy in the Irish Sea and the local move toward wind power.

Facilities

The Bridge Café: A bright spot for lunch or a snack, offering locally sourced food, cakes, and kids' meal options.
Gift Shop: Stocks a variety of maritime-themed toys, local history books, and pocket-money souvenirs.
Baby Changing & Toilets: Modern, clean facilities are available on-site, including dedicated spaces for baby changing.
Buggy Parking: The museum is fully accessible with lifts and wide ramps, so buggies can be taken through all galleries easily.
Parking: A large free car park is located directly outside the museum entrance.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Last entry at 3:30 PM).
Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed (except for Bank Holidays).

Address: North Road, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA14 2PW, England

Post Code: LA14 2PW

Council: Westmorland and Furn

County: Cumbria

By Car: Follow the A590 into Barrow-in-Furness and look for the brown heritage signs for "The Dock Museum." Use postcode LA14 2PW. Free on-site parking is available.
By Train: Barrow-in-Furness station is a 15-minute walk away. Follow North Road toward the waterfront.
By Bus: Local buses stop on North Road, just a short walk from the museum entrance.