Craven Museum: The Yorkshire museum which has been named as the best in the country for families

Millions of years of history is famously encapsulated in Craven Museum and its charm has now been rewarded after it was named the best in the country for families.
The Yorkshire Post
By The Yorkshire Post
Published 24th Oct 2023, 07:27 BST
Updated 24th Oct 2023, 07:28 BST

The museum, in Skipton Town Hall, has won the best heritage site Family Friendly Museum Award 2023 by the Kids in Museums charity, an award given each year to one museum, gallery or heritage site that provides a great visitor experience for families.

Craven beat competition from 18 heritage attractions from across the country.

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After public nominations, Craven Museum was shortlisted in the Best Accessible Museum category, going on to win the category and the overall family-friendly award.

Craven Museum has been named the best in the country for familiesCraven Museum has been named the best in the country for families
Craven Museum has been named the best in the country for families

Judges were impressed by the friendly staff and how easy it was for everyone to get hands-on in the galleries with colour-coded family activities, dressing up, feely boxes, interactive screens and family trails tailored for different ages.

They also noted that there is a packed and affordable events programme, with a family event every day of the school summer holidays.

North Yorkshire Council’s head of culture and archives, Danielle Daglan, praised the work of the staff at the museum.

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She said: “This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts to create welcoming spaces where families can discover and connect with our rich cultural heritage.

The museum in Skipton Town Hall has won praise for its hands-on approach, as well as its artefacts from down the years. Its chiefs were praised for its dedication to connecting people to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon HulmeThe museum in Skipton Town Hall has won praise for its hands-on approach, as well as its artefacts from down the years. Its chiefs were praised for its dedication to connecting people to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme
The museum in Skipton Town Hall has won praise for its hands-on approach, as well as its artefacts from down the years. Its chiefs were praised for its dedication to connecting people to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme

"We are deeply committed to providing meaningful experiences for all visitors and this award serves as a heartening affirmation of our dedication to inclusivity.”

She added: “The Kids in Museums manifesto and resources have been instrumental in enhancing our delivery to families and we wholeheartedly appreciate the support, collaboration and shared learning within the sector.”

Skipton Town Hall, which includes Craven Museum, the Exhibition Gallery, Concert Hall and Visitor Information Centre, reopened in June 2021 after a £4.7m redevelopment, which had accessibility at its heart.

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Among its 60,000 treasures are Mouseman furniture and a rare first folio of Shakespeare’s plays from 1623.

Many have been donated to the museum by local people in the 50 or so years since it has been in existence.

The executive director of Kids in Museums, Alison Bowyer, said: “Huge congratulations to the team at Craven Museum.

“The museum is making an outstanding effort to be a safe, welcoming and fun place for all families. This is truly an exemplar for the UK museum sector and shows what can be achieved through the dedication of a small but ambitious team.

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“We hope families from across Yorkshire and beyond will enjoy visiting over the October half term.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​