Museums, galleries and history

Museums and Galleries (museumsandgalleries@kirklees.gov.uk)

Discover our seven fascinating historic houses, museums and art galleries. Find out about fun, friendly and exciting events and activities, plus more about local history and heritage.

Bank Holiday opening times

Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May: all sites open, normal weekend hours

Bank Holiday Monday 27 May:

  • Open 12-5pm: Oakwell Visitor Centre, Tolson Museum, Bagshaw Museum
  • Open 12-4.30pm: Oakwell Countryside Centre
  • Oakwell Country Park is open daily throughout the year for outdoor visitors
  • Closed: Oakwell Hall, Red House, Dewsbury Museum

Museums

  • Tolson Museum

    • Huddersfield's history book! A vivid and intriguing picture of the area and people, from pre-history to present day.
    • From Roman finds to textiles; birds to transport, Tolson is a treasure house of the fascinating, the curious and the amazing!

  • Oakwell Hall and Country Park

    • Stunning 1690s family home giving visitors a real insight into a post-English Civil War household.
    • Over 100 acres of country park, visitor centre, gardens. nature trail, picnic sites, playground and countryside centre.

  • Red House Museum

    • Delightful 1830s cloth merchant's home with fascinating Brontë connections.
    • Atmospheric period rooms, enchanting recreated gardens; Bronte and local history exhibitions in restored outbuildings.

  • Bagshaw Museum

    • A grand Victorian former mill owner's house set in 36 acres of parkland and ancient woodland.
    • Unusual, unique and exciting collections of objects from all around the world.

  • Dewsbury Museum

    • Revisit your childhood and enjoy the popular toy gallery and recreated 1940s classroom.
    • Explore the fascinating Discovering Dewsbury local history gallery.

Galleries

  • Huddersfield Art Gallery

    • Extensive and stunning collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures by internationally renowned artists.
    • Collection includes L.S. Lowry, Francis Bacon and Henry Moore alongside work by significant local artists.

  • Batley Art Gallery

    Situated on the first floor of Batley library, the gallery hosts changing exhibitions of art, mainly by local artists and societies.

Education

  • Learning opportunities in Kirklees Museums and Galleries

    • From Ancient Egyptians to World War II... from the natural environment to modern technology.
    • These are just some of the many learning opportunities that are available to schools at Kirklees museums and galleries.
    • Visits and resources support a wide range of subjects at different key stages and are available throughout the year.

History and heritage

  • Local and family history

  • Kirklees Image Archive

    Over 60,000 historic images that you can search and buy prints from. The archive includes images of Kirklees stretching back to the late 19th Century, plus images from other areas of the UK, Europe and North Africa.

  • War memorials

    Locations and photographs of memorials, and the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country in World War One and World War Two, and in other conflicts throughout the world.

  • Historic buildings

  • Former mayors

    Former mayors of Kirklees from 1974 to the present day, and former mayors of the Batley, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Spenborough districts.

  • Kirklees Sound Archive

    Interviews with local people on the themes of the Afro-Caribbean community, childhood, music and dance and wartime.