The history books are laden with the names of British men who by intelligence, willpower or force changed the history of the world. Names like Charles Darwin, James Cook and Winston Churchill are engraved in the minds of millions of students worldwide.
BUT WHAT ABOUT BRITISH WOMEN?
What about the strong, brave and creative ladies from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who have given so much to the world of medicine, literature, the Arts and more?
Not all of their names will be as familiar but the influential women of Britain deserve as much credit and applause as their male counterparts. (Perhaps more considering the oppression, misogyny and restrictions that governed their lives!)
Where to explore women’s history in the UK
From country houses where great novels were written to hospitals where famous medical professionals served and castles where queens ruled from, this article will show you the best places to explore the history of famous women in the UK.
Inspirational Women’s Museums in the UK
In time for International Women’s Day, next month here is our ultimate round-up of the best women’s museums in the UK – as chosen by expert female travel bloggers.
Glasgow Women’s Library, Scotland
Located: Glasgow, Scotland
by Kathi from Watch Me See
The Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) is the UK’s only fully-accredited library and museum dedicated to the achievements, histories and lives of women. There is a diverse lending library with fiction and non-fiction books, but also an incredibly rich collection of contemporary and archive materials documenting the histories of feminist movements.
The Library regularly curates exhibitions with these artefacts to tell women’s histories from the Suffragette movement to more recent pro-choice activism. It is by far the most feminist place in Glasgow.
The Library was founded in 1991 and has since grown from a small grass-roots organisation into a key cultural institution in Glasgow. GWL delivers year-round activities and programmes, from poetry workshops to storytelling cafes. They support women all over Glasgow with learning opportunities and services like literacy and writing tutoring. In addition, they welcome many other local organisations to use the Library for their events.
Glasgow Women’s Library is the kind of place where you will immediately feel at home. You can almost be certain that soon after you enter, someone will offer you a cup of tea and you’re welcome to find a seat and read a book while you’re here. The Library is kid-friendly and open to anyone, although there are some women-only events as well as evening events unsuitable for children.
You can find GWL in Bridgeton, in the East End of Glasgow. Bridgeton train station is a 2-minute walk away, so it is very easy to get to.
The Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre
Located: Jedburgh, Scotland
By Anisa at Two Traveling Texans
The best place to learn more about the captivating story of Mary Queen of Scots is in the town of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. There you will find the Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre built in the house she stayed in during her visit to Jedburgh in 1566.
Mary Queen of Scots became Queen of Scotland when she was a baby and became Queen Consort of France after her first marriage. As a devout Catholic, many also believed she should be the Queen of England. Her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, saw her as a threat and kept her in custody for 18 and a half years before finally having her executed at Fotheringhay Castle. Her son, James VI of Scotland/I of England, had her buried in Westminster Abbey.
Inside the Visitor’s Centre, take the audio tour to find out more about Mary’s life including her early years in France, her return to Scotland, her time in custody, and her untimely death. Her death mask, personal letters, and other personal artefacts are on display. It’s not a huge museum, so you should be able to see it in about 90 minutes. This museum is not intended for young children.
Brontë Parsonage Museum
Located: Haworth, West Yorkshire, England
By Helen at Helen on her Holidays
The Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth, West Yorkshire is a museum dedicated to the Bronte sisters – Charlotte, Emily and Ann – in their childhood home. The Bronte family moved to Haworth in 1820 when their father Patrick became the curate of Haworth church. Between 1847 and 1848 the sisters wrote the classic novels Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall at the Parsonage.
After Patrick Bronte died in 1861 most of the furniture was auctioned off, along with other family effects. All six of his children, including the famous Bronte sisters had died young, with Charlotte being the last to die, aged 39 in 1855. Over the years, the museum has recovered artefacts related to the Brontes, including the mahogany desk where Charlotte wrote her novels.
Visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum today is like stepping back in time and walking into the house as it was when Charlotte, Emily and Ann lived here. The dining room where the sisters wrote their novels is one of the first rooms you see as you walk in through the front door. Upstairs in the children’s’ study, you can see examples of the tiny matchbox-sized books they wrote as young girls – fascinating and inspiring if you’re visiting with young children who may want to be writers someday.
The rest of Haworth is as atmospheric as the Bronte Parsonage. The narrow main street is lined with historic mill-workers cottages, many of which are now tea shops and bookshops where you can buy the sisters’ works and biographies by people including Charlotte’s friend Elizabeth Gaskell. Upon the moors surrounding the village, you can visit the places that inspired the sisters and walk in their footsteps.
Florence Nightingale Museum
Located: London, England
You may think that you already know all about Florence Nightingale, the famous Lady with the Lamp. She has been on the primary school curriculum for years after all. But this museum in central London is worth a visit – it’ll show you just how little you really know about this fascinating woman who was much more than a ‘nurse’.
In the Florence Nightingale Museum located in the heart of London, you’ll find expertly curated exhibitions suitable for all ages. From hands-on activities for children and meeting Florence’s once-beloved pet owl (now stuffed!) to intriguing glimpses into her privileged early life and challenging career, the museum shows visitors the many sides and passions of this fearless and compassionate woman.
Born into a wealthy family, Florence Nightingale is best known for the field hospitals she set up during the Crimean War. As well as saving the lives (and limbs) of countless soldiers when Florence returned to the UK she continued to serve others. She used the skills and knowledge she had acquired during wartime to campaign for better healthcare practices in British hospitals. She became an influential and respected medical professional long before women were treated as equals in the scientific community.
The Florence Nightingale Museum is incredibly family-friendly with free family trails to follow, a fun-filled family corner and every Saturday, you can meet the “woman herself“. Check out the website for more details.
Other Women’s Museums in the UK to add to your bucket list
Agatha Christie’s holiday home ‘Greenway’
Located in Devon, Southwest England
If you enjoy a murder mystery with your cup of tea then a trip to Greenway is a must!
Maintained by the National Trust, this wonderfully preserved house has interesting exhibitions on the world-famous authoress Agatha Christie, stunning gardens to walk around and plenty of children’s activities throughout the year.
Explore the Greenway webpage for more information.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
Located in Cornwall, Southwest England
Barbara Hepworth was a famous sculpturist who moved to Cornwall in 1939. She co-designed the gardens to showcase and compliment her work.
Most of her bronze, stone and wood sculptures are on display as well as some of her abstract artwork. Children will enjoy exploring the gardens and sculpture-spotting in the sunshine.
The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Park located near St. Ives in Cornwall is managed by the Tate. Explore their website to find out more about Barbara Hepworth and her work.
Jane Austen’s House Museum
Located: Chawton, Hampshire, England
There might exist several museums dedicated to the world’s most famous female authoress (before J.K Rowling hit the scene) but this is the very house where Jane Austen wrote her most famous books. If you’d like to step in Jane’s footsteps, then this is the place to visit.
The most famous artefact in the house must be the (tiny) wooden table next to a window where Jane wrote every day. It was on this very table that she penned her most famous work Pride and Prejudice.
Whilst the Jane Austen’s House Museum is a wonderfully educational site to visit with older children studying her novels, there is still plenty to do with younger children. There are dressing up activities, storytelling activities and delightful gardens to run around and picnic in.
The Jane Austen’s House Museum is privately run. You can visit the website here for resources and information on visiting.
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s Home
Located: Cumbria, North of England
Using the royalties from the sale of Peter Rabbit, the children’s author Beatrix Potter bought the beautiful Hill Top house and surrounding land. Here families can explore the very places that inspired many of Beatrix Potter’s most famous stories.
Hill Top and its stunning gardens are the very places to inspire not only budding young authors and artists but also to share the nature, wildlife and countryside that influenced Potter’s work so strongly.
There are lots of things to do in the local area too. You can lunch in the very pub that features in the Tale of Jemima Puddleduck and explore the Lingholm Estate where children will no doubt recognise the kitchen garden as the inspiration behind Mr McGregor’s Garden.
Hill Top is managed by the National Trust and as expected has many children’s activities and child-friendly events. You can find out what is on when you visit here.
Thanks for reading our guide to the best women’s museums in the UK. Yes, we know that there are more! Please recommend that British women’s museums you like visiting, it the comments below. (So we can add it to our UK travel bucket list!)
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