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
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
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
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
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
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
- 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