Warrington Museum and Art Gallery is one of the oldest municipal museums in the country, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the world's past since it was first opened in 1857.

Although the museum's original glass cabinets are crammed with treasures from around the globe the building itself is a shining example of Victorian architecture, with much of it's quintessential character preserved for you to enjoy.

The museum's permanant galleries feature a plethora of material on the natural world (including Warrington's very own dinosaur!), local and social history exhibits, a fascinating Time Tunnel with hands on activities ideal for younger visitors and even a beautifully decorated Egyptian painted coffin from the Temple of Amun in Thebes.

In addition to their exciting permanent displays, Warrington Museum offers an award-winning programme of events including family-friendly activities in school holidays. The museum is also home to a number of temporary exhibitions which have featured work from the likes of Banksy, Tracey Emin and Sam Taylor-Wood.

Warrington Museum also provides an exciting schools programme with a range of topics and recently won the Museums and Heritage Award for Excellence. Guided school tours and private visits are available by prior arrangement and visitors to the museum's website can sign up to receive the newsletter, which is packed full of information on events, new objects and awards.

Collections

The museum's collection was originally based on that of the Warrington Natural History Society and has since grown to include in excess of 200,000 objects. The collection at Warrington museum also includes an extensive local photographic archive, as well as items of national significance.

Ethnology - this is defined as the study of people and cultures. The museum's collection covers over 3000 objects from Africa, the Americas, China, Japan, India, Polynesia, Oceania , Australia and New Zealand. The World Stories Gallery (which has been at the museum since 1936!) has recently been refurbished and key objects to see are the Egyptian sarcophagus and funeral figures, the Benin Bronzres and Japanese netsuke.

Local and Social History - come and explore local history through the centuries in the new Story of Warrington galleries. Highlights include discovering more about the town's industrial past, stepping into the Time Tunnel to go back to Victorian Warrington, walking around 18th century Warrington as seen in Donbavand's 1772 painting and unlocking the secret's of the town's earliest inhabitants.

Archaeology - this collection features over 23,000 objects and covers everything from prehistory to medieval times. The museum houses regionally significant collections of Stone Age and Bronze Age remains, finds from the town's medieval friary and Roman remains. The archaeology collection at Warrington Museum also features an object unique in the UK - a Roman actor's mask.

Numismatics - this extensive collection of coins, tokens and medallions features over 6000 objects, which can be viewed by appointment. Most notable in this vast collection are the British trade token range and the 17th century Lancashire trade tokens, as well as Roman copper coins, foreign coins and 19th/20th century medals.

Natural History - the scientific study of the natural world. Some of the museum's earliest collections are related to natural history and it's permanent galleries including Geology and Botany, the fish gallery and the Bird Room. These galleries were recently refurbished to their original 1930's splendour.

Fine Art- Warrington has a long established artistic tradition, with the town's School of Art gaining a reputation as one of the finest in the country. The collecton features work from John Warrington Woods, Henry Woods, Sir Luke Fildes, Jan Van Os, Sir Frank Brangwyn and L.S. Lowry. The museum's art gallery also features a collection of more contemporary and urban art.

Education Service

The Museum Education Service offers an exciting programme of workshops for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 pupils, which have been specially designed to enhance learning outside of the classroom.

The workshops include gallery visits, object handling, costume, role play, craft activities and much more! The museum also offers an extensive loan service with over 20 different themes, which include real and replica artefacts from around the world..

Outreach visits to your school can also be arranged and workshops support various themes that the museum's permanent galleries do not cover, ranging from seaside holidays in the past to World War 2. Warrington Museum was awarded the "Learning Outside the Classroom" quality award in 2009.

Opening Times

Weekdays 10am - 4.30pm
Saturdays 10am - 4pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays Closed

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