Nidderdale Museum, Pateley Bridge

03/06/2026

There’s no one way to volunteer. Join us this in celebrating the diversity of volunteers and volunteering. Inspired to volunteer, find out more here: https://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/volunteering/

02/06/2026

Be part of volunteer community ... https://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/volunteering/

01/06/2026

Nidderdale Museum is completely managed and run by volunteers. Without their tireless efforts no one would see the our wonderful museum. Thank you to all our volunteers what ever you do.

30/05/2026

RESEARCH SESSIONS
Our next session will be on 19th June 2026.

Once a month the Museum opens up its library and records for visitors interested in local or family history. Two volunteers are on hand to help with queries. The cost is £10, payable via the website in advance. This includes permission to take photographs for personal use. If you are unable to attend and have given at least 3 days’ notice, the fee will be carried forward to a future booking.

If interested, please book in advance as places are limited by emailing [email protected] (https://www.nidderdalemuseum.com/research/)
We look forward to helping you with your research.

29/05/2026

Let's celebrate 42 years of Volunteers’ Week in the UK!
Join us in honouring the incredible contributions of volunteers who make our communities stronger every day.

25/05/2026

What a bank holiday Monday! Get out but still stay cool with a visit to the museum. With our 30,000 exhibits all set within a large old Victorian Workhouse, the solid walls will mean it will be cooler than outdoors.
Open 1.30 - 4.30 all week.

24/05/2026

Visit Nidderdale Museum this bank holiday weekend... and slow your biological ageing!
Yes, it's official; a study by University College London (they're in the South...but still a top place😉) found that regularly visiting museums, galleries, and engaging in cultural activites keeps you biologically younger.
What's not to love.... as well as 13 themed exhibition room full of fascinations.
It's also nice and cool inside👍
Open all week 1.30-4.30 (inc. this bank hol Monday, although usually closed on regular Mondays)

Research from UCL suggests visiting art galleries or museums, singing and painting can help improve health outcomes

24/05/2026

Visit Nidderdale Museum this bank holiday weekend... and slow your biological ageing!
Yes, it's official; a study by University College London (they're in the South...but still a top place😉) found that regularly visiting museums, galleries, and engaging in cultural activites keeps you biologically younger.
What's not to love.... as well as 13 themed exhibition room full of fascinations.
It's also nice and cool inside👍
Open all week (inc. this bank hol Monday), 1.30-4.30

22/05/2026

So many great reasons to visit Nidderdale. This wonderful museum is certainly one of them but there’s much much more too…. as this lovely post shows…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18bCwypJL8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Wandering off the beaten path, you'll find the most stunning scenery. This hidden gorge is both dramatic and beautiful. It's on the route of a lovely walk that passes through varied countryside and quiet Cliff Wood. It goes up an ancient and beautiful set of steps, across stepping stones set in the beck, passes by an old lime kiln, across traditional upland hay meadows and the home of one of my favourite cheeses Stonebeck Cheese (not open to the public) and ends at the excellent cafe at How Stean Gorge where you could also enjoy the via ferrata and other interesting ways to explore this fascinating landscape. You could also extend your walk to include Studfold Adventure Trail, which is brilliant for young children.

Nidderdale National Landscape's new website has some excellent walks, carefully described and well-signposted. They're designed for different abilities, and incorporate notes on local heritage and nature to look out for. You can even listen to the trail directions if you'd prefer.

22/05/2026

So many wonderful reasons to include a trip to Pateley Bridge in your bank holiday plans.
The museum, with its 13 themed rooms on all aspects of traditional Dales life could be the cherry on the top😀👍
Thank you to Yorkshire Treasures!

One of the joys of exploring the Yorkshire Dales is that every village and market town feels different and has its own special charms. Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale initially seems to consist of a simple elongated High Street, packed with independent shops, cafes and pubs. It's a steep hill, stretching upwards towards the moorland. Pateley specialises in hidden ancient alleyways and small cobbled courtyards, lovely little corners with a bench where you can sit and watch the world go by.

Anyone in need of a bit of a pick-me-up will enjoy its vibrant floral arrangements and bright blooms. Pateley is a great base for anyone who wants to discover more of the Nidderdale National Landscape.
It's also start of the Nidderdale Way, a 53 mile circular walking route, and close to other attractions such as Coldstones Cut, How Stean Gorge (dare you try the Via Ferrata?!) and Studfold Adventure Trail with their very popular nature and fairy trails, and Scar House Reservoir.

Wander into some of the alleyways and side streets and you'll quickly discover there's more to Pateley Bridge than meets the eye. One of Pateley's best known attractions is The Oldest Sweet Shop In The World, full of traditional delights.

Anyone who has a sweet tooth is in for another treat at Cocoa Joe's UK. They serve the best Mocha I've ever drunk - and I've carried out some significant research... I could get completely side-tracked just writing about this one little gem. Lots of places say they serve hot chocolate but what they really mean is hot-water-maybe-milk-poured-over-powder. ​Cocoa Joes offers a choice of chocolates (with a tasting bar...), which are ground to make the most incredible, indulgent, delicious drinks imaginable. I digress...

Across the road, enjoy excellent coffee at Wildish cafe, HQ for Wildish Club. At the bottom of the hill, Wildings Riverside cafe has really good pastries and a lovely welcoming atmosphere.

Wander around and you'll discover some other hidden treasures, including the wonderful little Nidderdale Museum, Pateley Bridge and don't miss Pateley Makers Yard - King Street Workshops

​​At the bottom of the hill is the River Nidd and the bridge the market town is named after, a fantastic children's playground and the elegant bandstand. ​Discover great walks and more about Pateley from the friendly folks at Nidderdale Plus, where there's an info point with leaflets and advice.

Which other Pateley Bridge delights do you like?