Craven Museum
Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am till 4.30pm
FREE ENTRY
Connect with local characters and landscapes from the past in our family friendly, accessible museum. We care for a treasure trove of around 60,000 objects representing millions of years of Craven history. Whether you like rocks or rare books, photographs or furniture, art or taxidermy – you’ll find it here.
Craven Museum is one of five finalists shortlisted for the world’s largest museum prize, Art Fund Museum of the Year 2024
Welcome to Craven Museum
See the amazing First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays, printed in 1623. Marvel at the skill and beauty of rare items from prehistoric and Roman times. Explore the limestone caves of Craven. Find out what it was really like to live in Skipton at the time of Queen Victoria. Enjoy our display of furniture by master craftsman Robert Thompson – the Mouseman. The words of Craven people are woven throughout, bringing to life the stories and treasures on display. The museum is suitable for all ages. Come and see what you can discover for yourself!
Community Case
What would you put in a museum case?
Our Community Case offers local groups an opportunity to showcase exhibitions that are important to them. We are keen to support local people to share their research on local topics, archives and artefacts. The Community Case is open to the public whenever the main gallery is open and new displays will be installed every three months.
If you have an idea for a new display in the Community Case, please email us to request an Exhibition Proposal form at cravenmuseum@northyorks.gov.uk
Store Tours
& Research Visits
Book one of our behind the scenes tours and find out how we look after all our amazing collections. Research visits are also available to book to see specific items from the collection.
Object Donations
Request to donate an object to the collection.
Craven Museum collects items relating to life in the Craven region from prehistory to the present day!
If you have any objects or photographs you wish us to consider for the Craven Museum Collection please contact us to request an enquiry form at cravenmuseum@northyorks.gov.uk
The History of Craven Museum
Craven Museum opened in 1928 and was originally housed in Skipton Library. Find out about how the museum was formed and some of its most important supporters and milestones over the years.
The Friends of Craven Museum
The Friends of Craven Museum was established in 1969 with the aim of assisting in the maintenance, enlargement and improvement of the Craven Museum, and to secure that the Museum plays its full part in the promotion of education in the area. They offer a series of monthly talks on a wide range of topics, to which visitors are very welcome. For further information, see the Facebook page or email focravenm@yahoo.com.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund Dynamic Collections: A Visit to Craven Museum
Museum Events & Relaxed Sessions
Download Craven Museum Trails
You can also pick up free trail sheets when you visit us.
◼ Learning & Schools
Learn with us!
There are lots of fun ways to learn at Skipton Town Hall.
School visits can now enjoy workshops in our new state of the art Education Room. We can also provide outreach visits, streamed workshops and digital resources. Free handling collection loan boxes are available to borrow.
We also host a programme of creative workshops suitable for all ages and specialist heritage talks.
Support us by giving your Feedback
Your feedback is invaluable to us!
If you have visited us recently please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your feedback helps us improve our visitor experience, secure funding for the important work we do, and keep entry to Craven Museum free.
Shop With Us
Many of the products in our gift shop have been inspired by items from the Craven Museum collection. Items include unique and locally produced crafts. By shopping with us you are directly supporting the museum, heritage events, and our outreach work across the district.
