Cliffe Castle Exhibitions
Permanent displays include the spectacular Reception Rooms, furnished with some of the original contents, including magnificent chandeliers and a monumental French clock topped by a bronze statue.
'Airedale: the Formation and Life of a Valley' explains how the local area was formed by powerful natural forces. 'Working Landscapes' considers the many ways in which our ancestors have shaped and exploited their surroundings since the arrival of the first farmers, 6,000 years ago. The Natural History Gallery displays preserved examples of many of the animals that live in the District (all recent specimens are prepared by our resident taxidermist from accidentally killed animals - car, window and cat casualties are often brought in by members of the public). 'Molecules to Minerals', a glittering array of colourful crystals and polished stone slabs, explains what minerals are and how they formed - find out how to tell real gold from fool's gold.
Visitors to Cliffe Castle Museum can now see the newly completed Keighley Stories gallery and Breakfast Room. Telling the stories of Keighley and its people, the displays are filled with exciting objects from the towns past. From two-headed lambs and calves to magic spells and from a lavish doll's house to a wife taming cradle, there really is something for everyone. As part of the fun you can enjoy our Keighley Stories trail, an adventure of discovery throughout the building.
In addition to the permanent displays, Cliffe Castle runs a broad programme of exhibitions.
Current and upcoming exhibitions
23 January - 14 March 2010
Good Start 2010
Now an established yearly exhibition, this is a great opportunity for visitors to see work from the up-and-coming artistic talent emerging from the schools in the area. Cliffe Castle starts the new decade with this popular annual exhibition that celebrates the talent of young artists in the area. The Good Start 2010 exhibition includes a range of art forms including painting, drawing, sculpture and photography by talented Yr 12 & Yr13 students studying at eight local schools. The high standard reflects the quality of the teaching in the area and the talent of their imaginative students. This year many of the students have attended workshops led by the artist Naseem Darbey and used a range of objects and specimens from the museum’s collections as inspiration.
