Did you know that rocks ring and can be made into musical instruments?
Come and join us in the park at Cliffe Castle for an experimental archaeology day and watch a demonstration of stone shaping inspired by our newly restored musical stones.
As part of the festival of archaeology, local stonemason Chris Swales will be knapping and shaping stones throughout the day. He will be accompanied by Bobbie Millar from Quarry Arts and Heather Millard from Cliffe Castle who will be talking about the history of the musical stones in the museum collection.
You’ll also have the opportunity to play the musical stones for yourself, now displayed in the museum conservatory. This project has been funded by the Arts Council and local community groups to create new frames to re-display the stones after nearly 60 years in storage.
The event is free and you’re welcome to drop in anytime between 11am – 3pm to see the stonemason at work and ask any questions.
Please note the event will be cancelled if the weather is windy or very wet, please check with the museum if you are travelling especially for the event.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm
All Bank Holiday Opening Times: 11:00 – 4:00 except Bolling Hall
All sites closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday
There is a small amount of free parking on Spring Gardens Lane and within the museum car park. Please note this allows for 3 hours parking, with no return within 2 hours. These parking places are managed by Bradford Council Parking Services.
There are two Blue Badge parking spaces down the slope from the museum car park which are offered on a first come first served basis. The gates to these car park spaces close at 4.30pm”
Approximately 12-25 minutes walk from the railway station, 6-15 minutes walk from the bus station. Buses (for example Bradford to Skipton) pass the lower main gates. The 903 bus service operates from Keighley Bus Station and serves Cliffe Castle on a limited basis.
1 May 2025 – 8 October 2025
5 August 2025 – 31 December 2025
3 September 2025 – 22 February 2026
31 October 2025 – 1 March 2026