Kirklees Museums & Galleries

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Kirklees Museums & Galleries Official page for Tolson Museum, Bagshaw Museum, Oakwell Hall and Huddersfield Art Gallery www.kirklees.gov.uk/museums

Manage museums, historic houses and art galleries, Kirklees Museums & Galleries promote events, activities and exhibitions. Partnerships with school, local community organisations and individuals.

Our Museums Half Term opening hours🍂Come along, Learn and have fun!
20/10/2026

Our Museums Half Term opening hours🍂

Come along, Learn and have fun!

Lead talented teams. Deliver meaningful change. Create lasting legacy.We're looking for an experienced museum profession...
16/10/2026

Lead talented teams. Deliver meaningful change. Create lasting legacy.

We're looking for an experienced museum professional to lead our curatorial team deliver the care, development and interpretation of Kirklees' diverse collections.

From collections management and conservation to exhibitions and strategic development, this role offers the chance to influence how our collections are cared for and shared for years to come. We're seeking a confident and people-focused leader who can bring energy, vision and enthusiasm to a talented curatorial team.

Join us at a defining moment as we deliver ambitious collections, exhibitions, and transformation projects, including development of a new museum and gallery in Huddersfield as part of Our Cultural Heart.

Closing date: 28th October, 11:55pm
Apply here: https://tal.pulse.ly/y8lgoqkkha

🍂 October Half Term Fun at Oakwell Hall!Looking for family adventures this half term? Come along to Oakwell Hall and Cou...
15/10/2026

🍂 October Half Term Fun at Oakwell Hall!

Looking for family adventures this half term? Come along to Oakwell Hall and Country Park for a little autumn magic!

✨ Folklore Trail | From Friday 23rd October
Uncover fascinating tales, traditions and folklore as you explore the beautiful country park! Pick up a trail booklet from the Visitor Centre for just £1 and discover what stories await along the way.

🛍️ Autumn Makers Market | Sunday 25th & Monday 26th October, 10am to 4pm
Celebrate the season with a wonderful showcase of local makers, artists and producers. Browse handmade treasures, discover unique finds and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Oakwell Hall. With different stallholders each day, there's something new to discover on every visit!

🌿 Healing Heritage: Children's Workshop | Wednesday 28th October
Discover how people in the past used plants and herbs for healing and protection! Families can explore traditional herbal uses and folklore through gentle, hands-on activities inspired by Oakwell Hall's history.
📅 Sessions: 11am to 12pm or 1pm to 2pm
💷 Price: £3.50 per child, accompanying adults go free
📍 Location: Oakwell Hall & Country Park, Birstall, WF17 9LF
https://ticketsource.pulse.ly/q6rqovjcie
Gather the family, wrap up warm and make some lovely autumn memories with us at Oakwell Hall this half term!

14/10/2026

🍂☕️✨

October Half Term at Bagshaw Museum!Looking for things to do with the family this October half term? Join us at Bagshaw ...
13/10/2026

October Half Term at Bagshaw Museum!

Looking for things to do with the family this October half term? Join us at Bagshaw Museum for two creative activities to enjoy!

Paid Children’s Crafts:
Autumnal or spooky – it’s up to you! Come along and get creative with a range of crafts, including:
- Tealight lanterns
- Wreaths
- Mobiles
- Leaf printmaking
Plus, there’ll be colouring for our younger crafters!
📅 Dates: Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 October
🕙 Times: 10:00am–12:00pm and 1:00pm–3:00pm
🎟 Booking: Drop in
💷 Cost: £4 per child
⭐ Suitable for: Ages 3+

Pay As You Feel Children’s Crafts:
Get involved and get crafty! Make your own autumnal or spooky hanging decorations to take home. There’ll also be colouring activities for our younger crafters.
📅 Dates: Saturday 24, Sunday 25, Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October, and Sunday 1 November
🕙 When: During museum opening hours
🎟️ Booking: Drop in
💷 Cost: Pay As You Feel
👧 Suitable for: Ages 3+

Visitor Art Mural:
Wrap up warm and get creative with our autumnal art mural! Get involved by adding your own contribution. Choose something seasonal or spooky – it’s completely up to you!
🕙 When: During museum opening hours
🎟️ Booking: Drop in
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitable for: All ages

Bring the family, get creative and enjoy some autumn half-term fun at Bagshaw Museum. We look forward to seeing you!

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!This...
12/10/2026

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!

This small bronze hunting horn belonged to May Tinker of Meal Hill House in Hepworth, Holmfirth. The Tinkers operated several local collieries and were well-known amongst their local community. The family gifted land, buildings, and financial aid to both the village church in Hepworth and the non-conformist chapels in Jackson Bridge.

May’s horn was made sometime after 1907 by Swaine & Adeney in London and is believed to have been used during the Rockwood Hunt, a traditional West Yorkshire equestrian hunt originally established in 1867. May’s father, Charles Shaw Tinker (1848-1923) and brother Major Brian Tinker (1890-1977) were both masters of the Rockwood Hunt, which she frequently participated in herself.

Historically, hunting has typically been a male dominated sport, and yet it granted women the opportunity to take on leadership roles, which would have otherwise been off limits. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, many women took on roles such as Master of Hounds, a prestigious role that granted the authority to oversee, manage, and train both men and women out in the field. As the horn bearer, May would have been responsible for maintaining communication across long distances, controlling the hounds, and marking different phases of the hunt.

Over the years, hunting has been a point of contention across the UK, with various activist groups opposing the chasing, trapping, and killing of any animal for sport. Today, the debate still rages on whilst government officials work to find a resolution that both protects British wildlife and keeps this heritage sport alive for future generations.

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!This...
10/10/2026

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!

This commemorative saucer celebrates the life of John Turner, a Handloom Weaver who lived to the age of 100. Turner was born in Farnley Tyas on 13th January 1814 but spent most of his modest life under one roof in Kirkburton. He died on 4th May 1914 and was laid to rest in Kirkburton Churchyard.

Turning 100 was extremely rare in 1914, so Turner’s 100th birthday attracted national attention, with countless newspaper articles covering the topic. He even received a letter from King George V, a highly unusual token at the time, as the official Royal Telegram tradition did not formally begin until 1917.

On his birthday, the entire village of Kirkburton celebrated as if it were a civic jubilee. Flags were flown throughout the village, including a white ensign from the Parish Church. Two brass bands played, the church bells rang, children were given treats, and those over the age of sixty were given packets of tea. The day was topped off with whole sheep spit-roasted in the streets at Smithy Hall and Dogley, allowing the whole community to share a meal.

These events show us that the village viewed Turner’s life as a historic triumph. As standard commercial souvenirs for centenarians did not exist on the market, we can assume that this plate was commissioned by someone of importance in the village. There is a matching teacup to accompany this saucer, but due to the rarity of these pieces, the museum service does not currently house one within its collection.

🌿 Healing Heritage: Family Workshop at Oakwell Hall 🌿Discover how people in the past used plants and herbs for healing a...
09/10/2026

🌿 Healing Heritage: Family Workshop at Oakwell Hall 🌿

Discover how people in the past used plants and herbs for healing and protection.

Families will learn about traditional herbal uses and folklore through gentle, hands-on activities linked to the site’s history.

📅 Dates: Wednesday 28th October
⏰ Sessions: 11:00am – 12:00pm 1:00pm – 2:00pm
💷 Price: £3.50 per child (accompanying adults free)
https://ticketsource.pulse.ly/vz7bwc84gm

An enjoyable way to explore history and heritage together. 🌱

Important information: Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note that activities will involve handling herbs, so please be mindful of potential allergies when booking

💰Nowadays £5 might buy you a coffee and a cake. But back in 1909 it bought an entire Museum…The Sheard family lived in w...
09/10/2026

💰Nowadays £5 might buy you a coffee and a cake. But back in 1909 it bought an entire Museum…

The Sheard family lived in what you now know as Bagshaw Museum until George Sheard's death in 1902, when the house was put up for sale at £3,000. It attracted no interest, possibly because its interior was too unusual and the site was comparatively isolated. Tastes had changed rapidly during the Victorian era and what was once the height of fashion was now seen as gaudy.

The house remained empty for several years until 25 March 1909, when The Woodlands was bought by Batley Corporation for just £5.

It was planned that the estate would become a public park. The Earl of Wilton gave an extra 29 acres to the council to form the basis of Batley's public park, named Wilton Park. In 1909, local Justice of the Peace Walter Bagshaw agreed to furnish one room in The Woodlands as a museum.

Walter Bagshaw had run the family firm of J. Bagshaw & Sons from 1875. His cultural interests were many, he travelled widely, was the author of a book on photomicrography, and gave lantern lectures on natural history. It was Walter's ambition to bring the world to Batley using objects and stories collected whilst travelling.

With the assistance and generosity of local people, who gave many objects to the new Wilton Park Museum, he completed three rooms with displays of textiles, biblical history, and natural history.

The museum opened to the public on 4 October 1911 with Walter Bagshaw, now retired from business, as Honorary Curator. By 1924, the museum comprised 12 public rooms and had become the main source of recreation for the people of Batley and Birstall. Over the years these collections have helped to bridge the gap between cultures and local communities through discovery and understanding.

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!Muse...
08/10/2026

A closer look at our refreshed Curators Corner exhibition at Tolson Museums! This month’s theme is New Acquisitions!

Museum collecting is not just limited to historic objects; items are also acquired that reflect more recent history. This town crier outfit, for example, belonged to Laurie Gilbert who took up the role of Batley and Dewsbury town crier after his retirement in 2006.

The clothes worn by a town crier are referred to as their livery and are thought to be based on the uniform worn by late eighteenth-century coachmen. This full set includes a coat, yellow waistcoat, tricorn hat, bell, and scrolls, and its excellent condition reflects the passion that Laurie brought to the role. The outfit itself was tailor-made, and the two colours were chosen to represent the towns Laurie served.

In Britain, town criers date back to medieval times and are even depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry. Historically, they played a vital role in sharing news to the public. While this responsibility is no longer essential to how we receive news today, town criers remain a familiar symbol of community.

This outfit not only represents a long-standing tradition but also highlights how local people continue to keep customs alive today. Acquisitions such as this demonstrate how heritage is not limited to the past but something that continues to evolve in the present.

Address

The Stables, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road
Huddersfield
HD58DJ

Telephone

+441484223210

Website

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