The arrival of the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition is just one of the ways one leading Cumbrian visitor attraction is helping local communities overcome outdated perceptions of museums as dry and dusty places.

The prestigious exhibition showcasing some of the world’s finest garden photography is currently taking place at Barrow’s Dock Museum until Saturday 11 June.

It’s part of a constantly changing series of temporary exhibitions lined up throughout 2022 at the free-to-enter Museum, which is uniquely housed on the site of an original Victorian graving dock across three floors.

An ever-evolving series of events, tours and workshops at the Museum also involves regular sessions with animator Tori Davis, who has worked internationally in animation, video games and films including Lego Movie 2.

Tori is bringing design and craft skills to LEGO fans in Cumbria, with a recent workshop for children proving so successful that she’ll also be hosting another workshop for bigger kids – aged 18 and over – too on Thursday 7 April.

Meanwhile, a variety of local groups and organisations now use Barrow Dock Museum as their base for regular activities.

That includes Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Bay Wellbeing project and various charities and schools who offer private tours for residents and schoolchildren.

During the visits, they can find out about everything from the Vikings and the Romans through to Victorian Barrow, the Second World War and a rich industrial heritage spanning: shipbuilding and submarines; the iron and steelworks; and the Furness Railway.

Historic vessels on display include the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Herbert Leigh, which greets visitors as they head towards the Museum entrance on North Road.

A maritime themed adventure playground, interactive quizzes for children and a film show illustrating the town's past and present add to the attraction’s highlights.

Premises Manager, John Irving, comments, “The Museum is constantly evolving and we currently have some very exciting projects in the pipeline.

“Thanks to a Heritage Lottery grant we are refurbishing our shipbuilding gallery and will soon be installing solar panels as part of this ongoing project. The grant is also enabling us to create a new interactive education research pod, which will allow visitors to look at our collection in an exciting new way, including 3D.”

John says storytelling is also vital for bringing the past to life. “Another upcoming exhibition will focus on the empowering story of local lady Minnie Pratt, who painted pictures of Barrow, the Lake District and beyond in a long-forgotten scrapbook.

“The scrapbook was recently rediscovered by Hayton man Gary Johnston at an auction in Carlisle and he has unravelled the mystery of an extraordinary artist and traveller.”

John adds, “We’ll also soon be taking part in the Festival of Transport and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. With the addition of a retrospective exhibition featuring renowned abstract artist Clyde Hopkins – who was educated at Barrow Boys Grammar School – it’s already shaping up to be an exciting year for the Museum.”

Visit www.dockmuseum.org.uk or www.visitbarrow.org.uk for more information.