Download the 2013 Xplorer brochure
Our venues
Exhibitions
In Touch With Textiles
Date: 05/03/2013 - 29/06/2013
Venue: Queen Street Mill
A Grand Perspective by Chris McLoughlin
Date: 21/03/2013 - 10/07/2013
Venue: Clitheroe Castle Museum
Animating Tiny Tumble by Mark Mason
Date: 21/03/2013 - 10/07/2013
Venue: Clitheroe Castle Museum
Flicker - Contemporary Heritage
Date: 23/03/2013 - 03/11/2013
Venue: Gawthorpe Hall
From Where I'm Standing
Date: 29/03/2013 - 06/07/2013
Venue: Lancaster City Museum
Maritime
Both of our maritime museums tell the stories of the people who have made (and lost) their lives at sea. You will discover how Lancashire's coastal towns and cities prospered from the world-wide trade that flowed in and out and how the rich produce continues to help feed the nation. You can also find out about the darker side of the county's maritime past, through the involvement in the slave trade and in the terrible disasters that have befallen so many.
The coastline and waters of Morecambe Bay are home to many species of marine life, plant life and birds. The Bay once supported a hugely successful fishing industry and overseas trade brought new wealth and new industries to Lancashire. New ports sprang up along the coastline and trade with America, the West Indies and the Baltic made Lancaster the fourth largest port in England by the 18th century.
Lancashire's coastal towns have seen massive changes over the last 200 years. The popularity of the seaside holiday during Victorian times in particular saw the growth of resorts such as Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham and Morecambe.
Lancaster Maritime Museum
Lancaster Maritime Museum is an award-winning museum set within the former Port of Lancaster Custom House. Let us take you on a journey to discover all things nautical relating to the Morecambe Bay area.
- A wonderful building to explore fusing Georgian and Italian design in an architectural landscape built on the wealth of overseas trade
- Designed by architect Richard Gillow (of the Gillow furniture making family)
- Discover the story of the Port of Lancaster through sounds, smells and reconstructions
- Explore Lancaster’s ’Golden Age’ of trade and prosperity and its connection to the slave trade
- Uncover the natural and social history of Morecambe Bay
- Quayside location close to Lancaster’s other main attractions and a great starting point to explore Millennium Park
More information about Lancaster Maritime Museum
Fleetwood Museum
- Fleetwood has a fascinating maritime history and at the height of the deep sea fishing boom was England's fourth largest fishing port. Two galleries tell the story of deep sea fishing and inshore fishing and a computer area allows access to "Netting the Bay", an exciting website which allows people to find out much more about the fishing industry and the natural history of Morecambe Bay.
- Fleetwood trawler's and trawler men served heroically in both World Wars and there is a gallery dedicated to the men of the Royal Naval Patrol Service. Another gallery is dedicated to telling the story of the many brave lifeboat men of Fleetwood who have been saving lives in the Bay since 1859.
- See and find out more about the salt mines of ICI and the industry that evolved around it.
- The Museum is also houses the 'Harriet' built in 1893 in Fleetwood. She was originally built as a sail fishing smack, and is one of very few left in existence in the U.K. She is recorded on the National Historic Ships Register. The 'Judy' also housed here, is a Morecambe Bay Prawner again built in Fleetwood, possibly by William Stoba.
- Not all collections are on show within the museum- there are paintings, photographs, objects and archives within the stores- particular items can be accessed by prior appointment.