Beck Isle Museum

We recently visited North Yorkshire and decided to head to Pickering. I had looked up local attractions on Google and decided to visit the local museum after seeing a nice video of the place on YouTube. The video dated from 2019, and we were not prepared for how different the museum would be in 2022 - and not in a good way!
The staff in the museum entrance and shop were pleasant, but that is the only really positive thing. Some of the displays I saw on YouTube were no longer there - the cameras and the ironmonger's have gone and the pub is "different". We were disappointed overall, £7 each is expensive to enter a place which doesn't take very long to look round! We were told that our ticket gives us free entry for the next year but, as we don't live locally we wouldn't be likely to take advantage of that, and even if we did live nearby we wouldn't visit again.

What has happened to this once lovely and informative little museum??? I have visited in the past few years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of looking around the different exhibits and rooms. On a recent visit, all this has changed and not for the better neither!! Why are so many exhibits, previously on display now either behind screens, or even no longer there? What happened to the print room and ts old printing press?? What has happened to the lovely quilt, embroidered with the names of the many volunteers? Where is the Book of Honour to the Pickering war dead? Why does the I-pad now have a rather tacky visitor survey, what happened to the Book of Honour, it's certainly very hard to find on there!! Whoever is responsible for this shambles has evidently pressed the self destruct button, and is doing all they can to bring about the demise of this important, local attraction. My advice to anybody now thinking of visiting it is to spend your money elsewhere, and give this place a very wide berth!!

This museum is a hidden gem as it is tucked away behind the bridge across the Beck slightly off the beaten track for tourists who tend to stick to the market square and the steam railway station.
It’s well worth the visit. Larger than the facade would indicate, there are several outbuildings housing agricultural machinery from the past and workshops including a blacksmith’s forge. At the time of my visit there was a volunteer demonstrating the rare large and impressive Columbian or Eagle Press.
Inside there are the usual display cabinets that seem to be rotated along themes and rooms laid out in period style.
In the foyer there is a display cabinet selling crafted items made at the museum and by local craftsmen.
I ran out of time to do justice to the exhibits so will use the multi entry ticket, which is valid for a year, next time I’m in Pickering.

On the recommendation of a guest staying at the Bramwood Bed and Breakfast Hotel we decided to see this excellent little museum. We were not disappointed. The house is like a " Tardis" with every room containing interesting photographs, artefacts, and information on all aspects of Pickering Yorkshire over the past 200 years.
There are even replicated old fashion Sweet Shop, Grocery Shop and Chemist.
In addition, there is the gardens and what I think were Stables that contain farm implements and profiles of local heroes.
If you are in Pickering Yorkshire you must see this Museum you will not be disappointed but go early as there is lots to see.

Can't recommend this place enough, from the friendly welcome on arrival to the quality of the displays and information.
From the outside, you think it's quite a small museum and it tempers your expectations as to what you'll find inside. However, when you get inside, the place is a bit of a Tardis and it's a lot bigger than you expect.
The 70's exhibit was a real highlight but that's not to detract from the absorbing and interesting other rooms and displays throughout the museum.
Add to this the ability to return on your admission within a year and all in all, a great morning out in Pickering.

Don't be fooled by the exterior of this building, it is like a tardis, it holds so many interesting displays of Pickering's past and rural living, there is something for all ages and interests. It would benefit from having a few pictures outside to show people what they are missing. Well worth the entrance fee and allow a few hours.

We visited on Saturday 23rd July 2022. The two Ladies on Reception were very welcoming and explained all about the layout of the Museum and the exhibits. We spent a fascinating few hours wandering around the whole exhibitions.

We really enjoyed the visit. Well done to all the volunteers who keep yesterday alive for us today.

Brilliant. A must visit for anyone interested in history.

We had been told about this museum by some friends and as we were in the area decided to visit. Looks quite small on the outside but a building full of interesting twists and turns.Mainly exhibits from the Victorian era but an interesting exhibition on the 70s which brought back childhood memories. An eclectic collection and well worth the visit when you are in Pickering.

Absolutely brilliant museum- actually more than a museum. Facinating displays, rooms and shops to explore, interactive games, colouring, craft, and dressing up for the children. We spent 5 hours here. It’s so much bigger that we expected and excellent value for money.

Grassed area outside for picnics (tables and benches would make it perfect), parking outside too.

Wished we live nearer to take advantage of the year long admission.

What a wonderful collection of artefacts reflecting domestic,business and rural life inYorkshire.We spent a good 2 hours meandering around the displays and collections which covered every aspect of a bygone age.The highlights are the recreations of a chemist shop,pub,barbers and outside the blacksmiths shop.
The volunteers manning this gem were able to transmit their own enthusiasm for the Museum and their friendly welcome added value to our visit.
This is an extraordinary museum and deserves support with its funding to ensure it continues as the must visit venue in Pickering.