Museum

Reflecting our area’s history, industry and culture through displays, interactive audio and visual information units and digital information

Community Venue

Need to book a meeting room or looking to hire a venue for a wedding or special event? Please take a look at what we have to offer

The Stables Cafe

Come and enjoy a coffee, snack or lunch at The Stables Café . Now open – Monday to Wednesday  – 10.00am to 2.00pm

Heritage Group

Take a look. Are you interested in knowing a bit more about Workington Heritage Group and the work we do to preserve local heritage?

The Helena Thompson is both a museum and a community venue serving the town of Workington and the surrounding area.

This elegant Georgian house is a Grade II listed building was bequeathed to the town by the late Helena Thompson. Originally the building was in the care of the local authority but it is now managed by Workington Heritage Group under licence from Allerdale Borough Council.

The museum, which is accredited by the Arts Council, reflects the area’s history, industry, culture and social life through displays, interactive audio and visual information units and digital information. More than just a museum, the Helena Thompson is now home to groups with a wide variety of interests and activities and is a popular venue for wedding ceremonies, children’s days, exhibitions, parties, concerts and other events.

A new much larger toilet block has been added to the building as well as a disability-friendly new front car park and ramp access. The reception and servery area is much more wheelchair friendly.  Many new artifacts have been added to the front entrance highlighting some of the area’s industrial past.

An interactive virtual tour of the museum is available to view on a tablet for anyone unable to use the stairs to the first floor.

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We are very proud to announce that in 2016 the Helena Thompson volunteers were awarded the ‘Queens Award for Volunteers’ and were included in the Queens Birthday Honours list.

This award is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteers. Presentation of the Award by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria was made to Pat Martin, one of our long-serving volunteers, and Stephen Jones, another valued volunteer together with Sue Hayman, former local Member of Parliament.

A MUSEUM AND SO MUCH MORE...

Find out about the range of services the Helena Thompson provides. It is a museum but it is also a popular venue for a whole range of activities and events, from weddings to children’s days, from exhibitions to concerts. Learn more about what’s on offer here:

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What Our Visitors Say...

Huge thank you to all the staff for the lovely service yesterday. The room was amazing as was the afternoon tea. All the staff were really welcoming. Will definitely be recommending to my friends.

Emma Scott

Huge thank you to all the staff at Helena Thompson for lovely service yesterday. The room was amazing as was the afternoon tea. All the staff were really welcoming. Will definitely be recommending to my friends.

Emma Scott

Absolutely fantastic party last night for my mum’s 60th. Tricia and all the staff were fantastic. The room looked amazing, the buffet was great and excellent bar prices! Thank you so much. We went for a little look around today as my niece had a school project on Victorian Workington. We were surprised to find it was free and all Helena Thompson ask for is donations! The volunteers were beyond helpful and it’s amazing to find such a gem on our doorstep.

Emma Chapman

A beautiful day today at Helena Thompson Museum for my lovely friend’s baby shower. Top class service. Would recommend afternoon tea as ours was fab. Staff are very welcoming and friendly.

Annette Minshaw

We had a wonderful time at today’s Easter event, friendly people and great activities that kept the kids entertained, this was the second event I have been to and my daughter loved both of them and can’t wait to visit again soon, thanks for a great afternoon!

Christopher Casson

Absolute pleasure to set up wedding cake. What a beautiful venue and a hidden gem. The grounds are stunning ideal for the champagne reception – attention to detail outstanding!

Beckys Bakes

I honestly couldn’t say enough positive things about the service we received for our daughters’ Christening earlier this year. The room was beautifully decorated, the tables nicely laid out and the service was amazing, we wanted for nothing all day!! We would highly recommend Helena Thompson for an event venue (and as a museum as my family from away enjoyed looking around, as did the children) – top notch!!

Lucy Connolly Ross

This is the perfect venue for a variety of occasions. We have just spent a fabulous afternoon celebrating my mum and dad’s Diamond Wedding.
Everything was absolutely perfect – attention to detail went far beyond my expectations. All the ladies were so helpful and friendly nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious -loved the rum butter! Everyone had a lovely time.

Elaine Thwaites

Recent News

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Helena Thompson Museum
2 hours ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Please note the information on today's on line Times and Star report has a couple of errors. This is not the whole of Joe Holliday's collection as stated, and also players will be attending 11am until 2pm on Saturday which is also incorrect. The time is 11am until 12.00 ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
22 hours ago
Helena Thompson Museum

So much fun 😁 ... See MoreSee Less

So much fun 😁Image attachmentImage attachment+5Image attachment
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Thank you for a lovely morning. The girls loved it! 😀

Helena Thompson Museum
6 days ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Week commencing 17th February
Museum open Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 10-3.30 closed Friday.
Cafe open this week
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday and Sunday 10-2
Cafe open additional days this week to tie in with kids half term event on Thursday and the Workington town exhibition on Saturday and Sunday
We are closed on Friday to set for the exhibition. NOT TO BE MISSED! ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
7 days ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Just in case you missed it !!! ... See MoreSee Less

Just in case you missed it !!!
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Helena Thompson Museum
1 week ago
Helena Thompson Museum

This Sunday, couple of tables still available.Valentines afternoon tea ... See MoreSee Less

This Sunday, couple of tables still available.
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Helena Thompson Museum
2 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Not to be missed!!!! ... See MoreSee Less

Not to be missed!!!!
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Is this ticket only or can you walk in?

Helena Thompson Museum
2 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Saturday 22nd February 10am until 4pm and Sunday 23rd February 10am until 2pm
Workington town RLFC exhibition and meet the players 11-12 on the Saturday NOT TO BE MISSED
Joe Holliday collection and museum collection on display ... See MoreSee Less

Saturday 22nd February 10am until 4pm and Sunday 23rd February 10am until 2pm Workington town RLFC exhibition and meet the players 11-12 on the Saturday NOT TO BE MISSED Joe Holliday collection and museum collection on displayImage attachment
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Sharon Metherell

Helena Thompson Museum
3 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Stitch and knit group. All welcome to join ... See MoreSee Less

Stitch and knit group. All welcome to join
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Richard Morsley. A group for Ann maybe!🤔

Helena Thompson Museum
3 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Mothers day tea, limited availability ... See MoreSee Less

Mothers day tea, limited availability
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Very limited availability

Virginia Rattigan

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COMMUNITY PROJECTS

We are asking that Tesco customers support us by placing blue tokens in the relevant bin at our local store, in doing so it helps us acquire resources for school workshops which we hold on a regular basis within the Helena Thompson Museum. The museum holds a Learning Outside the Classroom Award, which is a recognised quality education provider Award.

Please support your local museum each time you make a visit to Tesco and if you are not offered their blue tokens then ask for some.

On behalf of the museum thank you for your support.

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