John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum
John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum
John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum
4.5
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
A Museum celebrating the birthplace and life of John Paul Jones a Scotsman who left home at 13 and was Captain of his ship by 21. He went on to become considered the Founder of the American Navy , reaching the rank of Captain and also an Admiral in the Russian Navy, working for Empress Catherine the Great of Russia. The King of France Louis XVI knighted John for services rendered to France and presented him with a gold hilted sword. An amazing story not to be missed.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
6 within 3 miles
Attractions
11 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
60 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
21
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Rest757
Glasgow, UK224 contributions
Aug 2020
Well signposted from the village but boy does the road/track deteriorate as you get closer to the museum. Thought I should have brought my 4X4 for the journey down the track through the woods. The grounds around the museum itself were badly in need of grass cutting, the rose garden was weed infested and rather sad looking, the gravel parking area looked like it needed a good raking/tidy up and the outside seating benches looked like no-one has washed them down for a long time.
On entering the museum, the staff member was very cheery and helpful. The story of John Paul Jones is fascinating but sitting watching a film on a small television screen reminded me of a 1970's visitor experience. Don't know who owns and runs this museum - there's a fantastic story to tell, in a great geographical location but it looks like it needs much more active management (and investment).
On entering the museum, the staff member was very cheery and helpful. The story of John Paul Jones is fascinating but sitting watching a film on a small television screen reminded me of a 1970's visitor experience. Don't know who owns and runs this museum - there's a fantastic story to tell, in a great geographical location but it looks like it needs much more active management (and investment).
Written August 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BeemerF650
Stockton-on-Tees, UK290 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
What a gem of a place visit. Chose here as it has a small campsite next to the museum with electric hook up and fresh and waste water services. Visited in our motorhome with friends in their motorhome too. The film about John Paul Jones was an eye opener and the museum displays were very interesting. None of us had heard about this 18th century character..bit of a bad boy!! Alistair, who runs the museum and cafe was very friendly and informative. So pleased we found this hidden gem.
Written July 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Stephen
Ashbourne, UK2,786 contributions
Oct 2021
Two-building museum dedicated to the birth, life and death of John Paul Jones - either a pirate, or the founder of the US Navy, depending on which parts of the story you identify with.
Do watch the film at the start of your visit, and chat with the staff. They tell add-on stories about the man.
Cross the yard to the birthplace / house, and glimpse life in the 1740s. There are flags and monuments to look at on the lawn. Worth a visit if nearby.
Do watch the film at the start of your visit, and chat with the staff. They tell add-on stories about the man.
Cross the yard to the birthplace / house, and glimpse life in the 1740s. There are flags and monuments to look at on the lawn. Worth a visit if nearby.
Written December 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim p
Exeter, NH10 contributions
Sep 2022
I visited The Museum in Sep 2022. Allow yourself at least a couple of hours to learn about this incredible man! The Museum is a must for anyone interested in freedom and liberty. Located on one of the most beautiful spots on earth, bring a lunch and your favorite drink to enjoy a breath taking view of the ocean from one of The Museum's picnic tables. This ground is sacred to the US Navy and anyone who cherishes liberty and freedom. A bit off the main road, it is well worth the visit for an experience of a lifetime. Literally 2 minutes away, visit the town of Kirkbean where John Paul Jones went to school and attended church. His father is buried in the old Kirkbean Church cemetery (now The Auld-Kirk Luxury B&B run by Vanessa Mounsey, auldkirl.scot). The Museum has updated its look and includes many activities for families and kids.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine E
Nantwich, UK3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Fantastic museum & cottage on the history on the Father of the American Navy. Activities for everyone including the cottage of John Paul Jones birthplace to explore, interactive games, history videos, pirate toys & dressing up for children, tea & coffee cafe and a wonderful tour by Veronica. Veronica looked after us all so well including my mother with dementia. Felt very relaxed. A great time was had by all. Thank you Catherine
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mick B
Chester, UK99 contributions
Oct 2020
This is a hidden gem. It is a small but very interesting museum about the founder of the US Navy. The staff were lovely and went out of their way to make the visit interesting. The short film at the start of the tour was very informative and the cottage interesting. Clothes for the kids to get dressed up.
The view from the museum boards Sourtherness and beyond across the Solway Firth are wonderful.
Make sure you combine your visit with the adjacent Nearly Lost Gardens of Arbigland. We particularly enjoyed it.
The view from the museum boards Sourtherness and beyond across the Solway Firth are wonderful.
Make sure you combine your visit with the adjacent Nearly Lost Gardens of Arbigland. We particularly enjoyed it.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
firthbay
North Shields, UK213 contributions
May 2021
Brilliant museum - fascinating historical story ! Do visit the museum - its well worth the small entry charge. Refreshments and a little kids play area. Well done to the dedicated staff team!
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lemec79
Glasgow, UK228 contributions
Jun 2021
Admittedly there's probably a limit to quite how much this place could offer, but unless you are extremely interested in John Paul Jones and want to see the place where he was born, it's not something I'd recommend to the casual visitor.
It's quite a drive down a rough single track lane to get there and the museum itself is small with unimaginative presentation.
Entry was £4.50 per adult and the person on reception was friendly and suggested we watch the 20 minute video which gives you details on JPJ's life (it's actually 26 minutes, which is quite some time to be sat in a wee room watching an ancient old video from the 90s).
Once you're done with that, you can wander round the small museum but aside from a few artifacts there's really no need to as you've already learned most of what's written on the boards from the video. So you can either watch that, or read the boards in half the time depending on your preferred medium - there's really no need to do both, unless you want your money's worth!
The museum also has some tables where you can buy coffee etc. Then there is the cottage itself round the back - a spartan two-room place which gives you an idea of what life was like in 1747. It's a 5-minute visit to the cottage really and that's it.
Some nice views over to the Lake District and there is a garden nearby too (entry fee charged) - but the entry price of £4.50 for the cottage and museum to my mind is just a bit too high for what it is. That said, there would be no places to visit if people didn't pay to get in them so it's not a bad thing to support them - just don't expect too much!
It's quite a drive down a rough single track lane to get there and the museum itself is small with unimaginative presentation.
Entry was £4.50 per adult and the person on reception was friendly and suggested we watch the 20 minute video which gives you details on JPJ's life (it's actually 26 minutes, which is quite some time to be sat in a wee room watching an ancient old video from the 90s).
Once you're done with that, you can wander round the small museum but aside from a few artifacts there's really no need to as you've already learned most of what's written on the boards from the video. So you can either watch that, or read the boards in half the time depending on your preferred medium - there's really no need to do both, unless you want your money's worth!
The museum also has some tables where you can buy coffee etc. Then there is the cottage itself round the back - a spartan two-room place which gives you an idea of what life was like in 1747. It's a 5-minute visit to the cottage really and that's it.
Some nice views over to the Lake District and there is a garden nearby too (entry fee charged) - but the entry price of £4.50 for the cottage and museum to my mind is just a bit too high for what it is. That said, there would be no places to visit if people didn't pay to get in them so it's not a bad thing to support them - just don't expect too much!
Written June 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janester2
Pittenweem, UK118 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Always meant to visit here, just got round to it.The informative video you watch at the beginning was very dated, rather amusing (though unintentionally) in 'Blackadder- esque' style. The rest of that part of the museum has the information you have just been told in the video on large wall boards with photos and a few other bits and pieces, like model ships. We were taken to the cottage where he was born where there is an audio of what John Paul Jones' mother might have said about her life there. There was another video of his famous battle in a small recreation of a ship's stateroom too.
It was ok for a one off visit, but not somewhere you would bother with again. It was quite dated and was only suited to adults. Perhaps a good injection of cash could really help improve the quality of the displays, for example, some were half hanging off the wall and some were just old, yellowing A4 printed out sheets from the web, blue tacked onto the wall.The museum attendant was friendly in a 'going through the motions' type way and was clearly not interested in what visitors were saying in response to his perfunctory questions about where they were from and what they were doing for the rest of the day.
It was ok for a one off visit, but not somewhere you would bother with again. It was quite dated and was only suited to adults. Perhaps a good injection of cash could really help improve the quality of the displays, for example, some were half hanging off the wall and some were just old, yellowing A4 printed out sheets from the web, blue tacked onto the wall.The museum attendant was friendly in a 'going through the motions' type way and was clearly not interested in what visitors were saying in response to his perfunctory questions about where they were from and what they were doing for the rest of the day.
Written July 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June W
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Friends
Expensive and the gardens disappointing. Overgrown paths. Although the museum was interesting. Weather was good.
Written October 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimT1807KX
California1 contribution
How can I make a donation and purchase items from the gift shop?
Erica w
Edinburgh, UK75 contributions
Hi
There is a website which TripAdvisor will not allow me to pass on but you could Google it and you should be able to get the information you need from here. Or call them. They are very helpful and enthusiastic about their museum. Good luck. Erica
jimT1807KX
California1 contribution
where would you recommend to stay while visiting the museum?
Lynn B
Beverley, UK26 contributions
Cavens hotel Kirkbean is the place to stay and if available the Solway suite .
jimT1807KX
California1 contribution
I would like to purchase some items from the museum and make a donation. I live in the US and would like to know if I could get a catalogue of museum items for purchase and how to send a donation. Jim Poole, 3783 Via Cabrillo, Oceanside CA 92056 USA. John Paul Jones has been a hero of mine since I was 7. I attended the US Naval Academy and spent 24 years in the US Navy because of his inspiration!!
Erica w
Edinburgh, UK75 contributions
Hi, we visited the museum in April this year. It is a very small operation and run primarily by volunteers. They have amassed many items and artefacts about John Paul Jones and I know that the video we were shown of his life was available to buy from the shop. They also have books and leaflets and some souvenir items for sale. But no catalogue was available. They would be thrilled to hear from you and are very proud of the number of Americans that visit. You could try contacting them on tel. 01387880613 the opening hours are 10.30 to 5pm every day in July and August. The address is the John Paul Jones Museum, Arbigland Estate, Kirkbean, Dumfries, DG2 8BQ they do have a website but I am not allowed to include it in this message. Suggest you Google it. Hope this information is helpful.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingJohn Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum
- John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum:
- (0.24 mi) The Stables - a house that sleeps 14 guests in 6 bedrooms
- (0.31 mi) A fabulous seaside cottage in an idyllic position with stunning views all
- (1.06 mi) Cavens Country House
- (9.22 mi) Gorsebank Camping Village
- (8.82 mi) Mabie House Hotel
- Restaurants near John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum:
- (1.69 mi) The Steamboat Inn
- (7.90 mi) The Bank Of Silloth
- (9.47 mi) Brambles Cafe
- (7.91 mi) The Fairydust Emporium Cafe
- (1.84 mi) Paul Jones Hotel
John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 32 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 21 |
John Paul Jones Birthplace Cottage & Museum Photos | 55 |