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.

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 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:

LEARN MORE

What Our Visitors Say...

Thank you so much for all your hard work that went into the christening party for our daughter, it really could not have gone any better!

Veronica, Craig, Cecilia and Arabella

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

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

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

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

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

Recent News

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Helena Thompson Museum
5 hours ago
Helena Thompson Museum

It was a privilege to host Today's funeral tea for a lovely family who have lost their lovely husband, dad, grandad and greatgrandad 💔and a friend to many. RIP Pat ... See MoreSee Less

It was a privilege to host Todays funeral tea for a lovely family who have lost their lovely husband, dad, grandad and greatgrandad 💔and a friend to many. RIP PatImage attachmentImage attachment+Image attachment
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Helena Thompson Museum
1 day ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Friday 17th April we will be closed for a funeral tea.
Museum and cafe reopen on Monday at 10am ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
5 days ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Week commencing 13th April
Museum open 10-3.00 Monday Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday
Cafe open 10-2 Monday Tuesday and Wednesday ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
1 week ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Sunday 10th May
Sethera brass band playing songs from the musicals.
Tickets on sale from the museum, don't miss out on a wonderful afternoon! ... See MoreSee Less

Sunday 10th May Sethera brass band playing songs from the musicals. Tickets on sale from the museum, dont miss out on a wonderful afternoon!
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Helena Thompson Museum
1 week ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Wednesday 8th April
Please be aware that the museum will be extremely busy due to a large funeral tea and there may be a delay from 12.00 in the cafe while service is provided to the funeral party ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
3 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Museum closed from Wednesday 25th March, school visit 26th March.
We will then reopen on Tuesday 7th April after the Easter Break ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
3 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Wednesday 25th March
Cafe open today 10-1
Closing early today due to a private booking ... See MoreSee Less

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Helena Thompson Museum
3 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

It's definitely a toasted sandwich day today in the cafe! ... See MoreSee Less

Its definitely a toasted sandwich day today in the cafe!
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Helena Thompson Museum
4 weeks ago
Helena Thompson Museum

Today Thursday 19th March we are closed to hold the London college of music exams, if you are wanting to collect tickets for any of our events we will be open tomorrow 10-3 ... See MoreSee Less

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