RNLI Grace Darling Museum

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Radcliffe Road
Bamburgh
Northumberland
NE69 7AE

+44 01668 214910

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Outside RNLI Grace Darling Museum

Lighthouse model

Exhibitions

Shop

Awards

Overview

Grace Darling was 22 years old when she risked her life in an open boat to help the survivors of the wrecked SS Forfarshire on 7 September 1838. With her father, she rowed for over a mile through raging seas to reach them. The courage that Grace and her family showed on that day is now legendary.. Grace was the media celebrity of her day. She was celebrated internationally and was showered with honours, including the RNLI's Silver Medal for Gallantry. The museum, first established in 1938, has been rebuilt and now includes the famous rescue coble, Grace's dresses, letters and family belongings and a cornucopia of commemorative ware. Her story and that of her family are retold using modern audio visual presentations and a model of Longstone. The museum offers: a learning and community room for research and events; exciting new exhibitions; access for all.

Ticketing and entry prices for RNLI Grace Darling Museum

Type	Entry for	Guide price
Free (Free entrance)	1	£0.00 per ticket

	Car parking available On street parking close to the museum.
	Passenger lift
	Wheelchair friendly
	Family friendly
	Celebrity/historic connection
	Historic/architectural interest
	Indoors
	Car parking available
	Credit / debit cards accepted
	Open all year
	Passenger lift
	Wheelchair friendly

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Traveler photos

14/10/2018	Extremely Interesting Museum Bill M, Kirkwall, United Kingdom Spent a very interesting hour in this extremely well laid out museum which is run by ladies frim the RNLI. The story of the daring rescue by Grace and her father is told in great and interesting detail with many interesting artefacts to study, including the boat used in the rescue. In the churchyard across the road you can see a fitting memorial to Grace. (See photograph)
13/10/2018	Needs rescuing Chris_and_Jean, Derby, England It's all too easy to criticise and I hate to knock the wonderful work of the RNLI generally or the efforts of its local volunteers (I have a relative who is manager of one theif largest shops), but the reality is that I was very disappointed. As such I appreciate that I am out-of-kilter with most other reviewers who have given this four or five stars, but when I visited it was (a) stifflingly hot inside and (b) far too dark to see let alone read most of the labels (I realise some fabrics are delicate but that's no reason to put everything in the dark!). It's an interesting building and I believe there are sometimes activites upstairs for children (having had a wasted trip up the stairs as there was no signage saying there was nothing further to see!), but IMHO the exhibits are not shown to their best advantage and the RNLI should consider closing for a month or two and revamping the circular Room 1 completely, ideally with some professional curating input. (Or if not then at least sorting out the air conditioning and reviewing the light levels). That said it's free to go in - albeit meaningful donations appreciated to come out - and if it's one of those rare rainy days in Bambrugh then it's an ideal place to go for a bit of shelter from the wind and the waves, the more to appreciate the valiant efforts of those who put their lives in peril doing the exact opposite (especially in a rowing boat...). {Note for RNLI - worth checking the detailed list of those rescued/drowned/died etc as by my reckoning it doesn't tally with the number of survivors stated on the adjacent panel}
12/10/2018	Small, but well worth a visit J-J2030, Lancefield, Australia This small museum is staffed by volunteers who are very informative and enhance your understanding of the amazing feat that both Grace and her father performed. We had heard of her, of course, but a visit to the museum provides a wonderful insight into the family's life, the rescue, her subsequent fame and early death from TB four years later.
12/10/2018	Small but interesting and well presented museum benangie2017, Blairgowrie, United Kingdom Doesn't take long to complete a visit but well worth it. Visit the church opposite afterwards. Walking distance from centre of Bamburgh.
10/10/2018	Great little museum UlverstonJanet, Ulverston, United Kingdom This is a super well designed museum. The exhibits are interesting and those staffing the museum are very enthusiastic and proud of their place. It is free to enter. Also go across to the church after your visit.