Dales Museums

With such a varied past the Yorkshire Dales has many interesting museums depicting the life of dales folk, learn about the history of the people and the places, see how farming and lead mining has changed the landscape and the impact this has had on their lives. Often run by volunteers and charitable organisations that have had donated or collected together many of the exhibits, each museum offers an insight into this unique area of northern England.

Craven Museum & Art Gallery

There are many small and varied collections on display at Craven Museum & Art Gallery in Skipton Town Hall including agriculture, industry, lead mining, geology and archaeology.

Dales Countryside Museum

The Dales Countryside Museum is in a converted Victorian goods shed. Interactive exhibits and displays give a picture of rural dales life throughout the ages.

Green Howards Regimental Museum

TThe Green Howards Regimental Museum has a fascinating history of its own. The building situated in Richmond market place is the Church of the Holy Trinity. Founded in the 12th century the building has been remodelled throughout the years, its changing from church to shops and now home to the Green Howards Museum.

Nidderdale Museum

Housed in a former mill building just behind the main street in Pateley Bridge is the Nidderdale Museum. Its many displays include a cobbles shop, a solicitors office and a village store.

Richmondshire Museum

Opened in 1978 the Richmondshire Museum was once a joiners workshop. A Registered Charity, volunteers run the private museum.

Swaledale Folk Museum

Just off Reeth village green and down by the side of Reeth Post office can be found the old merchant school building. Now the home of Swaledale Folk Museum, the many historical exhibits inside illustrate past life and times around the Swaledale area.

Upper Wharfedale Folk Museum

In the centre of Grassington, the Upper Wharfedale Folk Museum has exhibits that illustrate the history of the area from its early days, and through the busy lead mining period up to present day.

Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum

Outside of Yorkshire Dales in the small Lancashire village of Earby, is the Yorkshire Dales Mining Museum. Extensive collections of lead mining artefacts and displays are housed in the Old Grammar School.