The Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness is celebrating national recognition after being ranked among the very best visitor attractions in the UK following a recent VisitEngland assessment.

Managed by Westmorland and Furness Council, the award-winning museum offers free entry and is uniquely housed within a 19th-century graving dock.

It showcases the rich industrial and social heritage of the Furness area, with major exhibits exploring shipbuilding, the steel industry, and local history from the Ice Age through to the present day.

As part of VisitEngland’s independent ‘mystery shopper’ style assessment, which evaluates the overall visitor experience, the Dock Museum achieved an exceptional score of 92 percent.

This places it firmly within the top tier of UK attractions, alongside nationally recognised destinations such as Tower Bridge in London.

The assessment praised both the venue and its team for consistently delivering high standards across key areas including visitor welcome, customer service, accessibility, inclusivity and overall experience.

The new score also marks a three percent increase on last year’s already impressive result.

In recognition of this achievement, the Dock Museum has been nominated for the prestigious VisitEngland Gold Award.

This accolade is reserved for attractions that demonstrate outstanding quality and go above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience for visitors.

The nomination builds on recent success at the 2025 Cumbria Tourism Awards, where the museum received the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism accolade, highlighting its ongoing commitment to ensuring a welcoming and accessible experience for all visitors.

Charlotte Hawley, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Museums and Collections Manager, said: “Achieving a 92 percent score is a tremendous result for the Dock Museum and a real testament to the dedication and professionalism of our entire team.

This independent assessment recognises the quality of the visitor experience we offer and reflects our commitment to making the museum welcoming, inclusive, and inspiring for everyone.

“Museums play a vital role in connecting people with their heritage, supporting wellbeing, and creating shared experiences, and we are proud to deliver something of national significance here in Barrow.”

“The independent assessment confirms what many local residents and visitors already know, that the Dock Museum offers a truly wonderful experience that stands alongside, and even outperforms many well-known, national institutions”, said John Irving, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Premises Manager for the Dock Museum.

“This success belongs to every member of the museum team, who all play an important role in creating such a welcoming, inclusive and engaging attraction.”

As the busy summer tourist season approaches, the Dock Museum is preparing to welcome an influx of visitors from across the area and beyond.

From its fascinating exhibitions, unique historic and its clear commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, the venue offers something for everyone.