The Dock Museum

Barrow in Furness grew from a tiny 19th Century hamlet to the biggest iron and steel centre in the world in just 40 years. Built in an historic graving dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects and information on the social and industrial history of the Furness area and also showcase rolling temporary exhibits too. It's educational stuff to be sure but it's well applied across a range of evolving galleries and as such is great resource for those covering industrialisation at school.

) plus there's a short film show. There are daily hands-on tours with friendly and informed guides helping you explore the museum's collection, with a chance to handle non-upsetting objects from World War 2 and Victorian soap, plus the kids can find out what the Victorians did before they had television! The whole place is push and wheel chair accessible with lifts to upper levels.

There are pleasing landscaped Channel-side walks linking to the Cumbria Coastal Way with great views (in good weather) over to the mountain Black Combe and to Walney Island. Plus, an adventure playground outside with plenty of play equipment to burn off the energy built up while learning something! The museum has been awarded the Quality Assured Visitor Attraction awarded by Visit England.