Kirkleatham Museum

Kirkleatham Museum

Kirkleatham Museum
4.5
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  • Dave B
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great half day out with the grandchildren.
    Excellent place to take grandchildren. An hour in the well equipped playground then an hour in the museum. My 8 year old granddaughter did the bird search around the museum and her elder brothers did the shark search. Many exhibitions still including my favourite, the Saxon princess with some of the 7th century jewellery found locally about 17 years ago. All free with free car parking.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written February 15, 2024
  • freddiedoncaster
    Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom2,638 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    SO ENJOYABLE AND EDUCATIONAL
    This was the first time we had visited the museum, and it won’t be our last. Set out on three floors in small rooms, the whole experience was outstanding. I particularly liked the World War 1 room, and the story of The Saxon Princess. The whole museum was so clean and fresh, that it’s a credit to everyone involved.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written March 29, 2024
  • Neil S
    Bishop Middleham, United Kingdom300 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Surprisingly good local museum and it's free!
    Surprisingly good local history museum with special exhibitions. Free entry (note you need to pay to visit the Owl Centre and Gardens which are separate) Over several floors the museum offers a bit of social history exploring the mining and most importantly the influence of steel in the area; quite moving but then it also has a bit about local people, art and other galleries and small but stunning Anglo Saxon exhibit which includes some beautiful jewelry. Over the summer there is aslo a fashion exhibition - clothe of the last century, well worth it.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 24, 2024
  • Clairebarbs
    238 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really interesting
    This is a really interesting museum. Great opportunity to learn about steel in the local area, and the impact of change. Fabulous exhibition, too, charting the changes in women’s fashion through the 20th century. Really good, as well, to learn about Gertrude Bell. Definitely needs to be visited if you are in the area or live locally.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 1, 2024
  • Elliot P
    36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A lovely, local museum
    We visited this museum whilst visiting the area, and what a lovely place it is! We visited when it was Dinosaur Day, where the children could do a dinosaur trail and crafts, the latter at a small cost. The museum is beautifully kept, great exhibitions and rooms with the addition of reading areas and craft areas in some - a great way to keep the children engaged and busy. The garden games were a huge hit and always seemed very busy; my son loved connect 4. The playground and grounds itself are wonderfully maintained, clean and a great space for families to gather. The absolute bonus is that it is free! What a fabulous place!
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written August 19, 2024
  • helstravels
    Redcar, United Kingdom887 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely visit
    We visited here to see a time limited exhibition on fashion over 100 year. This was an excellent exhibition. It was engaging and well set out. Cleverly it was a national exhibition which the museum had combined with a local group and weaving work by a local galore project. The museum main building is well laid out specialising in local history but a variety of activities for young people to bring this alive. Yhe volunteers seem happy to be there too. Outside there are walkways with interesting points of interest. The cafe is a joy with excellent service, and a delicious menu. We had lunch then took a scone home for tea (the latter a meal in itself). Plenty of parking including for the disabled They also have various events throughout the year so check face book page.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 4, 2024
  • The Travelling Leprechaun’s
    Leeds, United Kingdom547 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    🚨 This FREE Museum in Yorkshire Will Blow Your Mind! 🏛️✨
    🎥 Hidden Gem Alert! 🏛️✨ Ah, me fellow adventurers, if ye be wanderin’ through Redcar, North Yorkshire, and seekin’ a wee bit o’ history, mystery, and magic, Kirkleatham Museum is a must-visit! 🍀🏛️ 🏰 What’s Inside? ✨ A treasure trove of artefacts tellin’ tales of Redcar’s maritime, industrial, and social history! ✨ Exhibitions filled with ancient relics, shipwreck secrets, and Victorian wonders! ✨ Beautiful museum gardens & woodland trails—a perfect spot for a stroll or selfie! 🌳📸 🦉 Nearby Attractions: ✅ Kirkleatham Owl & Endangered Species Centre – Get up close with majestic owls & rare creatures! 🦉 ✅ Sir William Turner’s Hospital – A historic almshouse from 1676, tellin’ stories o’ the past! 🏡 ✅ Redcar’s Coastline – Just a short drive to golden beaches & the famous Redcar Clock Tower! 🏖️🕰️ ✨ FREE ENTRY! So, grab yer boots, follow the rainbow 🌈, and explore this hidden gem in Yorkshire! 🍀 #KirkleathamMuseum #HiddenGem #VisitYorkshire #FreeDaysOut #HistoryLover #TravelWithUs #TheTravellingLeprechauns
    Visited February 2025
    Traveled solo
    Written February 5, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles295 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
113
Average
14
Poor
4
Terrible
3

RRAGNewcastle
Newcastle17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Today we had a terrific day at the museum. We parked easily, visited the playground to burn off some energy (4 and 9 year old!) and particularly enjoyed the musical instruments that have been installed more recently. After this we explored the grounds, spotting peacocks, playing outdoor games in the courtyard and completing the Superworm woodland trail. We enjoyed a delicious treat in the cafe which is a bit hidden away but is really nice with friendly staff, a good selection of food and drinks and a great little outside space. We were planning on eating at the walled garden but their card machine wasn’t working (again!) and really glad we ate at the museum cafe as it was better value and better food. Afterwards, we loved the Saltburn and Redcar seaside exhibition, the amazing knitted landscape outside and then spent time in the museum. The displays were good quality, interactive and entertaining for the grandparents, parents, 9 year old history fan and an inquisitive 4 year old. The trail for seaside items was cute and earning a sticker was really appreciated! Ice creams in the sunshine topped off our day. We didn’t have time to visit the Owl Centre but we do love it there. Maybe next time. Thank you to all the staff who have worked so hard to make visits child friendly, engaging, culturally diverse and also a celebration of our local history. Happy visitors. I would really recommend.
Written August 1, 2023
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.

JasonPeacock7
Thornaby on Tees, UK150 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
We visited the park and museum today with our Granddaughter. She’s only 1, but enjoyed the park. She had a go on the musical bits n pieces, obviously enjoying it, her smile said it all. The museum to be honest wasn’t very good, it’s ok to look about for maybe 1/2 an hour.
It was too warm in there for me, so I didn’t stay too long.
We went in the cafe, it was well staffed and clean, but it was quite expensive, a steak sandwich was £11.00. A small pot of chips was £4.00.
The brownie was rock hard, it was quite inedible on the outside.
We plan to go again, and visit the Owl centre.
All in all, I’d skip the cafe for food, just get a drink if you need one, the museum is free, but I’d be disappointed if I paid much, there is a donation box, I think it would be a little unfair not to put something in.
The park and garden is great if you have youngsters, and although it was quite muddy, it was clean, litter and (pet hate) dog poo free.
Written April 15, 2023
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.

Sandy teesside
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
We initially we to teb Christmas Fair at Kirkleatham walled garden. Unfortunately the queue must have been about an hour , so change of plan we went to the museum instead. Good choice. The museum was free to enter, interesting displays. The grandchildren enjoyed the visit especially the saxon princess area where they made some cards.
The heating was on full , so was a little overpowering.
Unfortunately the cafe was not open, but the mobile coffee van next to the water fountain made a delicious hot chocolate and the prices were very reasonable.
We then spent another hour with grandchildren in the Park area. A very enjoyable afternoon, which didn't cost alot.
Next time we will go into the owl sanctuary.
Written November 13, 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.

Liz P
Leeds, UK487 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We saw an article about the re-opening of the Kirkleatham Garden so were actually going there but took a wrong turning and ended up in the car park of the hall. We are so glad we did as this little museum is a gem. The displays especially with regard to the steel industry are imaginative and revealing. The room on Gertrude Bell had a modern day resonance and the burial of the Saxon Princess fascinating. There is currently a display of modern tapestry which is a joy.
The cafe area is currently subject to major works.
The walled garden renovation is stylish and the coffee shop a good size. As we were there soon after everything had opened to the public, there were teething problems with service which was somewhat disorganised and resulted in a 25 minute wait for just a drink but as there seemed to be plenty of staff, this should now be resoved.
Written September 9, 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.

Beccib21
Newton Aycliffe, UK325 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Couples
Kirkleatham Museum is an excellent local history museum, plenty to amuse for over an hour. Recent developments mean that there is currently/no longer catering on the museum site. It is however part of the wider Kirkleatham estate which has recently opened a Walled Garden and Restaurant.
Sadly the local authority (owner operators) and staff on the ground have not got their act together to market, advertise and explain the offer in full. Having discovered the garden on Facebook, I looked up the Museum which I have visited previously. On arrival I asked for an estate map: I was given a floor by floor plan of the museum but wasn’t even directed to the estate map on car park. After our self guided tour of the museum, I asked again. I was given some advice, but it was incomplete, not written down or illustrated and I still wasn’t directed to the map board - it left many buildings unexplained and she didn’t know all opening times. We found the hospital, play area, garden, restaurant, mausoleum, toasting gate and stable - but are still left wondering about the huge building opposite the museum, whereabouts of the Sir James Knott Lifeboat and anything else we inadvertently missed. An enormous opportunity is being missed and I feel the estate will suffer by it.
Everything was clean and safe and the museum is highly recommended, along with further exploration of the wider estate.
Written August 29, 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.

Ieatrocket
78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Lovely, interesting place which is free of charge so what's not to like!
We loved the old school building that the museum is housed in as it felt like stepping back in time.
Some very interesting displays and exhibitions.
The grounds are amazing and have one of the best adventure playgrounds we have ever seen. Great place to take children, wish we had known about it when ours were younger as they would have been happy all day there.
Written July 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.

GandC_UK
Pocklington, UK687 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We came primarily to see the Saxon or Loftus Princess exhibition which we new about due to staying on a farm cottage near the dig site. That was brilliant but the major exhibition about the rise and fall of the steel industry was excellent especially as we used to live nearby. The cafe is across the square round the back of the loo block, so not a very attractive entrance , but inside it is a new conservatory cafe and very good, including gluten free options.
Written November 19, 2023
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.

Cherie K
North Yorkshire, UK58 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We called in yesterday after visiting the walled garden which is a short walk away. The museum is fabulous and currently has the must incredible display of textile art. This incredible place has sparked an interest now and we will be visiting many more museums in the future. Entry is free and it's a great way to spend an hour or two. We hope to have a walk around the grounds next time we visit.
Written August 31, 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.

Petert K
Porto Santo Island, Portugal220 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
The Museum is situated in Kirkleatham Park, which in itself is a beautiful place to explore. There were many interesting exhibits and the staff were most helpful and friendly. Also the site of the Festival of Thrift - well worth a visit.
Written September 28, 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.

dnowland_12
Leeds, UK4,455 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
On our way for a day out on Redcar beach with the grandchildren, we decided to visit the adventure playground in the park of the Museum for a picnic and play, and we are very glad we did, even though it was quite hard to maintain social distancing, but I am pleased to say everybody was very sensible and the kids had a great time playing on all the things available such as climbing frames, swings and swirly things.
The park is trying to create a maze at the top end of the car park which was also explored by the children. Yes all in all a very enjoyable stop over before our final destination of the beach. Well worth visiting whether you are visiting the museum or not, young children will really enjoy it here.
Written September 13, 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.

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Kirkleatham Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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