Weardale Museum & High House Chapel

Weardale Museum is located in the heart of Weardale. We are a small, volunteer run museum dedicated to preserving the history & heritage of Weardale and its people.

High House Chapel was in continuous use for over 250 years, making it one of the longest serving Methodist chapels. The chapel is now owned by the Trustees of Weardale Museum who aim to preserve this unique piece of history.

Family History Service & Genealogy Research

Weardale Museum is also the home of the Weardale Genealogy service. They maintain the family history for over 70,000 people and families linked with Weardale and the surrounding areas.

The Methodist Tapestries present the history of Methodism via the medium of needlework. Many panels are underway but there is still time for more stitchers to participate. The finished panels will be displayed in the proposed Weardale Museum & Heritage Centre.

Who We Are

We are a small independent folk museum run entirely by volunteers to the high standards set by the Arts Council for England.

What We Do

We provide a sense of place for those who live and visit Weardale by telling the stories of its history and heritage. Attached is High House Chapel, the oldest Methodist Chapel in continuous use. We also specialise in providing family history research for people who have ancestors from Weardale.

Latest News

David Heatherington Interviewed on One Voice Podcast

Our very own David Heatherington recently appeared as a guest on the One Voice podcast, where he and John Rose discussed the Methodist Tapestries Project...

6th April 2023

The passing of Jean Heatherington

It is with great sadness that the Weardale Museum announces the death of our friend, colleague and Trustee Jean Heatherington...

28th November 2022

Museum AGM, Funeral of Jean Proud

A reminder that Friends of the Museum are invited to attend our AGM on Wednesday, 11th May at 7.00pm. The Funeral of our Museum founder, long time Treasurer and dearest friend will take place on Friday 6th May....

30th April 2022

What our visitors say about us

"Our family visited the museum whilst on holiday in Weardale, we found it fascinating! The volunteers demonstrated a fantastic level of knowledge and couldn't be more helpful. We will certainly be revisiting next time we're passing through."

Gray Family

Swansea

"My wife and I discovered the place entirely by accident and were so glad we did! We spent 2 hours looking around the exhibits and talking with museum staff. The neighbouring chapel is also worth a visit."

D & G Scott

Durham

"Weardale Museum is a fantastic place, one of those hidden, rare gems that you must visit to truly appreciate. The immensely knowledgable staff really brought the story behind each exhibit to life. It is well worth a visit"

A Smith

Sunderland

Welcome to Weardale Museum

Weardale Museum

Weardale Museum is located in the heart of Weardale. We are a small, volunteer run museum dedicated to preserving the history & heritage of Weardale and its people.

High House Chapel