Good enough to rival any museum in London, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is packed with some real gems. Make sure you dedicate sufficient time because there’s so much to see!
One of the very first purpose-built free museums, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery houses many fascinating and eclectic collections. There’s a wealth of artefacts and artworks on display, including more than a 1000 Japanese prints, rare medieval manuscripts and fascinating national history specimens.
Highlights of a visit
There’s also a space dedicated to Egyptology which contains the most sought-after item in the museum – a Mummy of course! Parts of this collection belonged to famous early Egyptologist John Garstang who was Blackburn born and bred.
There’s also some of the finest collections of coins and manuscripts in the country including some of the earliest printed books by William Caxton. If Arts and Crafts are your thing, then don’t miss the books made by William Morris’ Kelmscott Press including the beautiful Canterbury Tales.
Local history is also extensively covered with history of the Mills, cotton and weaving industries. And there are regular events, exhibitions, talks and workshops.
Getting to Blackburn Museum
Nearest train station: Blackburn
Distance from train station: 0.4 miles, 8 min walk
Located on the corner of Richmond Terrace and Museum Street, close to Blackburn Railway Station
Contact
Museum Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 7AJ
01254 667130
What to know before you go
Wednesday – Saturday: 12 noon – 4.45 pm
Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and all Bank Holidays
Facilities
Gift Shop, disabled access, toilets, baby-changing
Other museums to explore in the North
The Bayle Museum - Bridlington
Tullie House Museum - Carlisle
Great Days Out - Tourism and Culture
