The Dock Museum

Business Details

Explore Barrow's Maritime Heritage

The Dock Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich maritime and industrial heritage of Barrow-in-Furness. Our institution offers immersive exhibitions spanning local history from the Romans to modern shipbuilding, complemented by interactive displays and educational programs. We provide family-friendly facilities including quizzes, playgrounds, and guided walks, alongside extensive collections accessible via our online database. Committed to community engagement, we host events, support school visits, and collaborate on conservation projects to ensure Barrow's history remains accessible to all.

Services

Changing Exhibitions Family Visits School Programs Collections Database Historical Research Event Hosting

Highlights and features

We offer free access to comprehensive historical exhibitions and interactive displays.
Our family-friendly facilities include quizzes, playgrounds, and guided heritage walks.
We provide tailored educational programs for schools and group visits.
Our collections database offers online access to thousands of historical artifacts.
We host regular events and community projects celebrating local heritage.

Website

Update Listing

Services

Changing Exhibitions

Our rotating exhibitions showcase Barrow's maritime and industrial history through artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays. Visitors explore themes from Viking settlements to modern shipbuilding, with regular updates ensuring fresh perspectives on local heritage. Each exhibition is supported by educational materials and guided tours.

Family Visits

Family-friendly facilities include themed quizzes with prizes, outdoor playgrounds, and self-guided walks along the Walney Channel. Interactive displays engage children with Barrow's history, while accessible routes and free Wi-Fi ensure a comfortable visit for all ages. Activity sheets and trails enhance educational engagement.

School Programs

We offer curriculum-linked programs for schools, including guided tours, object handling sessions, and workshops on local history. Resources cover topics from Roman archaeology to shipbuilding, with pre-visit materials and risk assessments provided. Group bookings receive tailored itineraries and dedicated support.

Collections Database

Our digital archive provides public access to over 10,000 historical items including photographs, ship plans, and industrial artifacts. Users can search by theme or era, with detailed descriptions and high-resolution images available. The database supports remote research and complements physical exhibitions with additional context.

Historical Research

We assist researchers with local history inquiries through document access, expert consultations, and object loans. Our archives contain specialist resources on Furness's iron industry, railway development, and maritime heritage. Community projects like the Shipyard Town initiative encourage collaborative historical exploration.

Questions

What are The Dock Museum's opening hours?

We are open Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00am to 4:00pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Is admission to The Dock Museum free?

Yes, all our exhibitions and facilities are free to access for visitors.

What family-friendly facilities do you offer?

We provide quizzes with prizes, playgrounds, interactive displays, and self-guided walks suitable for children of all ages.

Can schools book educational visits?

Yes, we offer curriculum-linked programs with guided tours, workshops, and handling sessions for school groups.

How accessible is The Dock Museum?

Our building has step-free access, lifts to all floors, and accessible toilets. Wheelchairs are available on request.

Reviews (7)

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Russell Barton

Jan 08, 2022 Report

An exhibition of the Sankey photo collection was put on. It was very well done. The Dock Museum gives a good insight into Barrow and the Furness area.

Clare Simms

Oct 17, 2021 Report

Was so looking forward to visiting here on our holiday but was very disappointed that dogs are not allowed in.
Doesnt make sense when a chocolate shop in Kendal allowed dogs in !!!!!

Peter Gallant

Sep 22, 2021 Report

Dock museum In Barrow is free parking and entry. It's a maritime museum with some interesting exhibits. There were a lot of ships built there over the years and they have plenty of model ships (large size) on display in cabinets. Accessible entrance and most of displays are easy to manoeuvre around. You will have to retrace your steps or wheels near some exhibits as there is not quite enough room to get a walker or wheelchair through. Good toilets on site but rather strange to have a chair under the hand dryer in the accessible toilet. Cafe on site which we had to ask for a dustpan and brush as

Jo Dory Mc

Aug 30, 2021 Report

Amazing!!!! Fantastic park too and not too busy which is great. Loved the dry dock could have looked at it for hours. Shame we couldn't get to the ground floor but didn't spoil it at all.

Carol Dove

Jun 19, 2021 Report

Lovely friendly staff , wheelchair friendly, plenty of local information, has toilets and caf ,very clean .

Ema

Dec 08, 2020 Report

Beautiful, historic place. Lots to look at and do, very educational. The faclities are clean tidy and following correct guidelines. Staff are lovely so friendly. Lots to buy as well good gift shop :-)
Cant wait visit again with my kids they will love it.

Kadi Hayes

Jul 11, 2019 Report

We we're at the Dock Museum for the monthly Greyhound Trust South Lakes walk, we had a lovely time & after the walk some of us - dogs, looked round the museum. It is very interesting & we all enjoyed ourselves. The cafe was great & we thoroughly enjoyed the tea, coffee & food.