# The Beacon, Whitehaven — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info

> This cultural venue on West Strand offers museum and gallery experiences for families, though visitors should note limited facilities including no wheelchair access, toilets, or baby changing areas.

Source: https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/attractions/the-beacon (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version.

Museum

# The Beacon

West Strand

[View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=15415467806156989277&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Photo: [Ryan W](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/110093544127428415758)

**In short:** The Beacon is a museum in Whitehaven, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 601 Google reviews.

Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places

## About The Beacon

This cultural venue on West Strand offers museum and gallery experiences for families, though visitors should note limited facilities including no wheelchair access, toilets, or baby changing areas.

## What's nearby

- Bardywell Heights next door
- Zest Harbourside next door
- Whitehaven Harbour 200m away
- Subway 350m away
- Millets Whitehaven 350m away

Distances as the crow flies, via Google

## Good to know

### Parking

- ✓Free car park
- ✓Paid car park

### Accessibility

- ✓Accessible parking
- ✓Accessible entrance
- ✓Accessible toilet

Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs.

## Photos

Photos via Google

## Opening hours

**Monday** Closed

**Tuesday** 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

**Wednesday** 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

**Thursday** 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

**Friday** 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

**Saturday** 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

**Sunday** 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

## What visitors say

[Nick Wisdom](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/111525458941541482749/reviews) ★★★★★

This museum was amazing. It may look small from the outside but is much bigger inside. Over 4 floors with a standard size lift is fully wheelchair accessible. This museum has a bit of everything in. Takes you back to the 90's at the moment and then covers the power plants and more. Would highly recommend this and the staff were very helpful.

· via Google

[Darcy](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103959232606690229092/reviews) ★★★★★

Interesting place full of lots of facts about the local area, three floors with different displays and also fun games for everyone. The only disappointing part was the cafe, not much on the menu and extortionate prices.

· via Google

[Jessica Veal](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/118194007884508348170/reviews) ★★★★★

This is a really GREAT museum, the Sellafield information was really thorough and interactive. The rest of the museum has VR headsets, games, puzzles, videos. The view from the gallery is really cool and the telescopes can see a mighty long way. We (two adults) were here for 4.5 hours and I didn't get bored of it at all. Kids wouldn't either.

· via Google

[Alice Crane](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/109287296019793038086/reviews) ★★★★★

Amazing museum! We were here around 4.5 hours and it was time very well spent! The permanent exhibitions include local history from the stone age to WWII with a large section devoted to Sellafield. When we visited there was also a section devoted to 90s youth culture. All of it was very interesting and well presented, with just the right balance of information, without it being too detailed and technical. The interactive displays were also great fun. The cafe on the ground floor is also definitely worth a visit for a hot drink and tasty snack. I would definitely return to this museum and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone else in the area.

· via Google

[See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x486331e6edbd8133:0xd5eebe4b8875235d!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

Visitors say this museum offers a wide variety of interesting and interactive exhibits, including local history, a Sellafield gallery, and changing displays. They also highlight the friendly and informative staff, as well as the accessible facilities with a standard-sized lift. Guests mention the cafe on the ground floor is worth a visit for hot drinks and tasty snacks.

Summary via Google

## At a glance

**Address** West Strand, Whitehaven, CA28 7LY [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=54.5486798%2C-3.5946630)

**Category** Museums & Galleries

**Guest rating** 4.6 / 5 (601 reviews)

**Suitable for** All Ages

**Setting** Indoor

**Good for children** Yes

**Toilets on site** Yes

**Destination** Whitehaven

[More attractions in Whitehaven](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/attractions)

★ 4.6 (601 reviews)

[Visit official website](https://thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk/?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction)

[01946 592302](tel:01946592302)

(please mention staycation.co.uk when calling)

### Quick Facts

**Destination** Whitehaven

**Postcode** CA28 7LY

**Plus Code** 9C6RGCX4+F4

[Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x486331e6edbd8133:0xd5eebe4b8875235d!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x486331e6edbd8133:0xd5eebe4b8875235d!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x486331e6edbd8133:0xd5eebe4b8875235d!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA)

### 🏨 Places to stay near Whitehaven

Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices.

[Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DWhitehaven%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom)

Affiliate link

[Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/camping)

## Quick answers

### What are the opening hours of The Beacon?

The Beacon is open Mon closed; Tue–Sat 10am–4:30pm; Sun 11am–4pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go).

### Is The Beacon any good?

The Beacon is rated 4.6 out of 5 from 601 Google reviews.

### Is The Beacon good for children?

Yes, The Beacon is listed as good for children.

### Is The Beacon indoors or outdoors?

The Beacon is indoors, so it works on a rainy day.

### What ages is The Beacon suitable for?

The Beacon suits all ages.

### Is The Beacon wheelchair accessible?

The Beacon has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and an accessible toilet.

### Is there parking at The Beacon?

Yes: free car park and paid car park.

### How do I contact The Beacon?

Call The Beacon on +44 1946 592302.

## More near The Beacon

### Hotels & B&Bs nearby

- [Georgian House Hotel ★ 4.7 · 0.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/hotels/georgian-house-hotel)
- [Lismore Guest House ★ 4.9 · 0.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/hotels/lismore-guest-house)
- [Chase Hotel ★ 4.4 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/hotels/chase-hotel)
- [The Mansion ★ 4.7 · 1.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/hotels/the-mansion)

### Holiday cottages nearby

- [Harbour View next door](https://staycation.co.uk/cumberland/cottages/harbour-view-syk1177905)
- [Harbourside Apartments next door](https://staycation.co.uk/cumberland/cottages/harbourside-apartments-syk1177937)
- [Seaview next door](https://staycation.co.uk/cumberland/cottages/seaview-syk1177939)
- [Quayside Apartments next door](https://staycation.co.uk/cumberland/cottages/quayside-apartments-syk1177946)

### Campsites nearby

- [Seacote Park ★ 4.2 · 3.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/cumbria/camping/seacote-park)
- [Ellergill Raise Campsite ★ 4.7 · 6.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/cumbria/camping/ellergill-raise-campsite)
- [Inglenook Caravan Park ★ 4.4 · 7.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/cumbria/camping/inglenook-caravan-park)
- [Tarnside Caravan Park ★ 4.3 · 7.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/cumbria/camping/tarnside-caravan-park)

### Things to do nearby

- [The Rum Story ★ 4.5 · 0.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/attractions/the-rum-story)
- [Billy Bears ★ 4.6 · 0.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/whitehaven/attractions/billy-bears)
- [St Bees Beach ★ 4.7 · 4.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/st-bees/attractions/st-bees-beach)
- [Monkey Madhouse ★ 4.4 · 6.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/workington/attractions/monkey-madhouse)