As well as our permanent displays, we have a packed schedule of changing exhibitions at both the Maritime Museum and the City Museum.

Read on to find out what you'll be able to discover on your next visit - or if you've seen it all already, skip ahead to our Future Exhibitions, or explore more online with our immersive Virtual Exhibitions! 

Hidden Hoards and Fascinating Finds

28 March - 1 November 2026

A celebration of  archaeological treasures from our local area and the work of the detectorists who discovered them. 

Belle & Mary

Ongoing

This mini-exhibition in the upstairs corridor of the City Museum features objects in the collection connected to the Ruxton murders. September 2025 marks 90 years since Buck Ruxton brutally murdered his wife Isabella (Belle) and their housemaid/nanny Mary. The exhibition (as the title suggests), will look more at the two victims, rather than Ruxton himself.

Please note that this exhibition is in the upstairs corridor, with access for one wheelchair user at a time via the stairlift.

100 Years, 100 Objects: Stories from the Collection of Lancaster City Museums

Ongoing

2023 marked the 100th anniversary of our museums. As part of our centenary celebrations we created a series of podcasts about objects in our collection. They were selected by members of our museum team, academics, and members of community groups, who chose their favourites from our collection of over 50,000 items. Most of these objects are now on display in the upstairs corridor at the City Museum, while others are part of our permanent displays in other areas of the City and Maritime Museums.

Life After Death

13 December 2025 - 25 April 2026  EXTENDED to late May 2026

The landscape around us is studded with human remains. For thousands of years humans have used burial, cremation and deposition in significant places to honour those who have died; each one leaves a mark. When ancient human remains are discovered historians and scientists can use an array of methods to try and discover the life behind their death.

This exhibition uses archaeology, historical sources, and new Raman spectrographic scanning techniques to capture what we know so far about human remains from four ancient sites in the local area.

Visit the Maritime Museum this winter to discover how science is rewriting ancient stories.

Find out more in our exclusive Curatorial Talk with Dr Rachel Roberts:

Rachel Roberts, co-curator of the new Life After Death exhibition at Lancaster Maritime Museum takes you through the evolution of the exhibition. From the fascinating archaeological digs at its core to the cutting-edge new science which brings some almost-forgotten stories back into the light, and makes them relevant to the modern day.

• Sunday 19 April  -  2pm  -  Maritime Museum
• Tickets £10 per person. CLICK HERE TO BOOK. 

This talk is part of the Story Tours & Talks programme. Visit our Walks & Talks page to see the full list of museum talks and guided walks for 2026.

Hoard of Hoards: Hidden | Lost | Stolen | Offered | Collected

Ongoing

This immersive exhibition literally uncovers the hoards that we have in the collection. From pre-history through to the Tudor period people have always stashed away their valuables for one reason or another. We take a look at each one and ask what was happening in Britain at the time and why the owners felt the need to hide theirs.

Life After Death will soon come to an end at the Maritime Museum, to be followed by something completely different...

REFLECTIONS: Water as Inspiration in Art will run from the end of May to 4 October 2026, showcasing rarely-seen artworks from our own collection which feature water in all its forms - from rainy streets to the wide expanse of Morecmbe Bay.  

Our exhibitions change every few months, so check back here for all the latest updates - or email historydetectives@lancaster.gov.uk to sign up to our events mailing list.