The Whitaker

The Whitaker is a museum and art gallery set in a mill-owner's mansion within Whitaker Park in Rawtenstall, in the Rossendale Valley. It combines a natural history display, including a striking taxidermy diorama, and local industrial heritage covering textiles, mining and engineering with a rolling programme of contemporary art exhibitions. The Cabinet of Curiosities, with its Victorian oddities and colonial-era artefacts, is a popular stop for children. Family activities and early years sessions run through the year, and the museum offers school workshops linked to curriculum topics. A café and restaurant on site make it easy to stay for a longer visit. Admission to the museum is free, with a charge only for certain special exhibitions and events, and the park around it is a pleasant place to walk afterwards.