Fleetwood Museum

Fleetwood Museum is a local history and maritime museum housed in the former Customs House of Fleetwood, a seaside town on the Fylde coast of Lancashire, England. It is a compact, characterful stop for anyone curious about how a Victorian planned port grew into one of Britain's well-known fishing towns.

What is the building?

The museum occupies one of the very first buildings put up in Fleetwood. Completed in 1836, it was built as the town's Customs House, the place where the port's trade and shipping were overseen. Like much of the planned town around it, it was designed by the architect Decimus Burton. Over the years the building also served as the local town hall before taking on its present role as a maritime museum. Historic England has designated it a Grade II listed building, recognising its architectural and historical value. For many visitors the building is part of the attraction: it is the oldest in town and a tangible link to Fleetwood's founding years.

What can you see inside?

The collections tell the story of the town and its relationship with the sea. A Deep Sea gallery looks at the trawlers and the fishing industry that shaped Fleetwood's identity and employed generations of local families. A collection of more than 40 detailed ship models shows the craftsmanship of the maritime world, from working vessels to the details of rigging and hulls. The museum also looks after nationally important historic boats, including the vessels known as Harriet and Judy, and the wider local history displays place these objects in the context of everyday life in the town.

Is anything new planned?

The museum's trust has long aimed to complete an extension begun in the 1990s. The plan is to rehouse the historic boats in better conditions and to add new galleries about Fleetwood and the surrounding Fylde coast. Check the museum's own website before travelling for the current state of the displays.

Who is it good for?

• Visitors interested in maritime heritage and the history of British fishing.
• Families looking for a manageable, hands-on-scale museum on a seaside day out.
• Architecture fans following the work of Decimus Burton.
• Anyone exploring Fleetwood's planned Victorian streets and waterfront.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Fleetwood Museum? In the town of Fleetwood, Lancashire, in north-west England, in the town's former Customs House.

Who designed the building? Decimus Burton, the architect behind much of the original town, designed it; it was completed in 1836.

Is the building protected? Yes. It is a Grade II listed building designated by Historic England.

What is the museum about? Local history and the maritime heritage of Fleetwood, with an emphasis on deep sea fishing, ship models and historic boats.

Was it always a museum? No. It was built as the Customs House, later served as the town hall, and is now a museum.

How long should I allow? A small museum like this suits a relaxed visit; combine it with a walk along the nearby seafront and through the town's historic centre.