Clitheroe Castle Museum

Explore our modern galleries and discover treasures such as the Mitton Hoard, Roman Strigil, Bronze age bowl, an elephant molar, Victorian cooking range, and the beautifully preserved Downham Banner.

Here's what some of our visitors had to say:

"Brilliant exhibition and activities. All the grandchildren learnt so much and had a lot of fun. Ages 7,10 and 12. Well done!" (February 2022)

"So much information and fun in one museum. We loved this place! We learned so much, but in a clear and straightforward way. Best of all, everything related to Clitheroe. We left knowing why Clitheroe is where it is and why it looks like it does. That's what I always hope for from a local museum. We were there for only 40 minutes as it was closing, but could easily have spent twice as long. The staff were really friendly too." (March 2022)

The Castle keep was built in the 12th Century and has ancient monument status. Originally a three-storey building it is one of the smallest surviving stone-built Norman keeps in England. The castle complex included a range of buildings that went far beyond the defensive. Alongside the keep and enclosed within a curtain wall there would have been many other buildings including a great hall, a chapel to St Michael, courthouse, gatehouse and stables. This was the centre of regional administration and a focus for the local community.

The de Lacy family, the earliest Lords of the Honour of Clitheroe had their principal castle at Pontefract. A trusted Steward ensured that all their lands were properly administered and oversaw legal proceedings at the courts held at Clitheroe Castle.

Stewards seem to have become residents at the castle around the late 17 century and continued to be appointed until 1945. The museum is located in the former Steward's House, a Grade II listed building, originally built in the 18th century, with later additions and modifications.

Explore 16 acres of parkland, home to Lancashire's first Labyrinth and a Creative Activity Area at the foot of the keep.

Clitheroe War Memorial

The whole of the Castle complex, including the keep, the suite of buildings that now form the museum, the park and the bronze memorial sculpture all form Clitheroe's war memorial. The sculpture was commissioned from Louis Frederick Roslyn, an established artist who had studied at the Royal Academy. Unveiled in 1923 the sculpture is powerful and contemplative. The larger than life-size figure of a Grenadier Guard in battle order with cap, bowing his head and resting his hands on his reversed rifle stands on a pedestal of grey Aberdeen granite. Below are bronze panels listing the names of those who lost their lives in the World 1 War. A later plaque lists the names of those who died in World War II and plaques on the wall behind record fatalities form the Boer War of 1889-1902 and Northern Ireland in 1972.

Plaques timeline

In 2010, ten plaques featuring key events in the history of Clitheroe where installed on the walls of the creative activity area next to the Keep. The plaques, which are designed to look visually appealing and decorative, as well as containing Braille text, encourage people to explore the town's history. Visitors to the castle can take rubbings from the plaques, each of which highlights a local historical event.

Labyrinth

Get lost in the winding pathways of the Clitheroe Castle Labyrinth, the first public labyrinth in Lancashire. Commissioned by Ribble Valley Borough Council in 2005 from international labyrinth artist Jim Buchanan the unique, large-scale labyrinth was designed specifically for the Clitheroe Castle Grounds. Constructed from grass and limestone on the site of an old bowling green this community labyrinth is a stunning example of land art, which attracts and delights local people and visitors alike. It has been named Convex Green, to reflect its shape, colour and history as a bowling green.

The pinnacle

The pinnacle monument is located in the former rose garden at Clitheroe Castle. The pinnacle, or turret, originally formed part of the roof of the new Houses of Parliament after it had to be rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1834 and is one of eight removed in the 1930s. Purchased by Sir William Brass MP and presented to the town for George VI’s coronation in 1937 the pinnacle at Clitheroe is unique in that it is the only one known to be accessible to the public. The other seven are in private collections or are lost to records.

Clitheroe skatepark

Clitheroe skatepark was built and opened in 2006 and is an all concrete park made up of both transition and street elements that can be found in the grounds of Clitheroe Castle.

Borrow one of our explorer backpacks to make your visit a great adventure.

The backpacks are free to borrow and available from the museum reception.

Great for little kids and big kids too!

• Car parking available for blue badge holders

• Baby changing facilities

• Assistance dogs welcome

• Drop off / pick up point

• Guide dogs welcome

• Full disabled access to the museum

• Meeting room for hire

• Activity room for hire

• Nearby 3C’s Cafe in Clitheroe Castle park

Access

Clitheroe Castle Museum is within the castle grounds at the centre of the town of Clitheroe. The buildings are at the top of a relatively steep (negotiable by powered scooter) slope. See our Access Statement (PDF 1312KB) for more detail or please ring us if you have any questions.

Contact us

• Phone: 01200 424 568

• Email: clitheroecastle@lancashire.gov.uk

If you've visited us recently, don't forget to leave us a TripAdvisor review.

Discover more of Lancashire's diverse history and visit one of our other Lancashire Museums. Which of our museums will you visit next?

If you've visited us, what was your favourite thing you learnt about Judges' Lodgings? Let us know by sharing your experiences on Twitter using #ClitheroeCastle and don't forget to tag in @LancsMuseums on X and @LancsMuseums on Facebook.

Find out all you ever needed to know about building castles in our fun and interactive session. Discover why castles were built, what they were built out of, and why. Investigate how they were defended and attacked, and find out how and why they changed and got bigger.

This involves a tour of our Norman Keep, spectacular view of the Ribble Valley and the chance to build you own motte-and-bailey castle. Learn about castle life and the types of people that made their homes behind castle walls.

This pairs well with 'Myths and Legends' for a full day exploring building, attacking and defending a castle as well as the more imaginative mythology linked to dragons and castles! Something for everyone.

Half day session for Reception, KS1 and KS2.

Come and meet our Dragon Protection Officer and enrol in SWORD (Society for the Welfare of Rare Dragons).

In this exciting and immersive session pupils will be taught all the skills they need to become a SWORD Ranger. Pupils will discover the secret history of SWORD, how to identify different dragons, discover where they live, what they eat, their likes and dislikes and how to care for them.

They will also explore and train in the sword and shield techniques that are required to stop dragon slayers. Once the tasks are completed it's time to investigate Dragonlore, with a story to entertain and amaze all listeners.

Myths and legends combine to create a refreshing and stimulating learning opportunity that combines creative storytelling, drama, hands-on learning and adventure.

This pairs well with 'Castles and Keeps' for a full day exploring the imaginative mythology linked to dragons and castles whilst looking at the practicalities of building, attacking and defending a castle! Something for everyone.

Half day session for Reception, KS1 and KS2.

This immersive and experiential session gives pupils the chance to be an active part of the events of 1066. Your pupils will witness the rise and fall of the last

Anglo-Saxon kings, be part of a Viking and Norman invasion force, and discover the key moments of three major battles. They will also have the opportunity to examine and handle Norman, Viking and Saxon arms and armour, study and compare the differences and see how they were used in battle.

This pairs well with 'Castles and Keeps' for a full day exploring the year 1066, the last of the Anglo Saxons Kings and how the Normans took and retained power ending the Anglo-Saxon age.

Half day session for KS2 and KS3.

Cost

• Half day (10am – 12noon) £3 Lancashire County Council (LCC) pupil; £4 Academy / Non-LCC pupil

• Full day (10am – approx. 2.30pm) £6 LCC pupil; £8 Academy / Non LCC pupil

• Special Event Week (half day only) £4 LCC pupil; £4.50 Academy / Non-LCC pupil

• Accompanying adults free

Facilities

• Lunch facilities

• Coach drop off

• Limited accessibility

• Toilets

• Gift shop