Visiting Wigan Museum

Notice →

Please note that Wigan Local Studies will be closed on Wednesday October 14th for staff training.

Important information →

Wigan Museum will be closing its doors on 25th July while our ground floor gallery undergoes a complete transformation to make way for a brand-new exhibition, ‘Our Northern Soul’.

‘Our Northern Soul’ will celebrate the people, places, stories and collections that make Wigan what it is. And the best bit? We'll be working with local people to help shape it, sharing stories, memories and objects that capture the spirit of our borough.

While the museum building is closed, you’ll still be able to find us out and about across Wigan Borough, including at our new pop-up space in Makinson Arcade from September.

Please note that throughout most of the development, Wigan Local Studies will still be open on the first floor, accessible via stairs or lift, so do come up and visit!

We'll be back in Summer 2027, and we can't wait to show you what we've been working on.

About the museum

The exterior building of the Museum of Wigan Life

Wigan Museum and Wigan Local Studies Library offer a fantastic opportunity for learning and discovery.

Wigan Museum is housed in Wigan’s first public library and first public building with electric lighting. Alfred Waterhouse designed the building, which opened in 1878, and also designed the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall. In 1936 George Orwell researched his book 'The Road to Wigan Pier' in the Reference Library (now Family History and Local Studies) upstairs.

You can delve into your own family history and local area in our dedicated department upstairs at the museum. Our friendly staff are always on hand to help and advise.

Entry to the museum is FREE.

Exhibitions and displays

Please see the What's on - Museums and archives page for events and activities.

Opening times

Wigan Museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.

How to get here

Wigan Museum 
Library Street
Wigan
WN1 1NU

The museum is at the end of Library Street, two minutes walk from Wigan town centre and five minutes walk from Wigan Wallgate and Wigan Northern Western train stations and Wigan bus station.

There is limited parking outside the museum on Library Street. In addition, there is a Pay and Display car park on Rodney Street and a multi-storey car park at the Grand Arcade shopping centre, both within a few minutes walk to the museum.

Get in touch

Shop

Stack of tins of Uncle Joe's mint balls on a shelf

Family friendly

The museum especially welcomes families. There is a baby changing facility on the ground floor in the accessible toilet.

Accessibility

  • The museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users with an accessible toilet and lift
  • There is accessible parking at the top of Library Street
  • Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at the museum
  • A hearing loop system is available in the main galleries and around the reception in Local and Family History on the first floor. Please contact us in advance for the portable hearing loop
  • There is magnifying software on some computers in our Family History and Local Studies department
  • Magnifiers may be available on request, please ask at reception