The Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award recognising the UK’s most family-friendly heritage attractions.
The museum, based in Hawes, is among five finalists in the Best Small Museum category of the 2026 Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award.
Run by the Kids in Museums charity since 2004, the annual awards celebrate the UK’s most welcoming museums and heritage sites. They are the only museum awards judged by families.
Families from across the UK voted for their favourite attractions between February and April before a panel of museum experts, children and young people selected a shortlist of 20 heritage attractions.
Museum manager Fiona Rosher said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for the Family Friendly Museum Award. It’s especially meaningful because the award is judged by families themselves, and creating a welcoming, engaging experience for children and visitors of all ages is at the heart of everything we do here in Hawes.
“This recognition reflects the hard work of our team and volunteers, and the fantastic support we receive from our local community.”
Housed in a restored Victorian railway station, the museum brings the history and culture of the Yorkshire Dales to life through hands-on exhibits, interactive displays and activities exploring rural traditions, farming and local heritage.
Families can also enjoy trails, activity packs and seasonal events designed to help children engage with the area’s landscape and heritage.
During the summer holidays, undercover family judges will visit each shortlisted museum to assess them against the Kids in Museums Manifesto, which sets out the principles of a great museum experience for visitors of all ages.
Category winners and the overall Family Friendly Museum Award 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in October.
The awards are supported by funding from Arts Council England.
