Upcoming Events
MIKE KNOWLES: THE DANCING TREE | JUN 23 - AUG 12 2018
With a delight and curiosity in nature, its landscapes and its people Mike Knowles has developed his wonderful style of painting, incorporating his love for traditional techniques with a painterly quality. From his rural landscapes to his portraits and his still life paintings, Mike is a colourist, his wizardry is in the translation of the textures and colour that surround him into his dramatic works of art.
summer solstices | JUN 6 2018
Solstices Film Festival (Fri 22 - Sun 24 June), organised by local community group Solstices and presented in association with The Whitaker. A programme of outstanding films & entertainment for you to take in over the wholes weekend. For full listing visit our 'What's On' page.
RAWTENSTALL ANNUAL FAIR | JUL 7 2018
An afternoon of FREE outdoor entertainment celebrating traditional dialect, song & dance with performances from Sid Calderbank & The Lancashire Society, Tacklers Tales, Corrie Shelley, The Tin Pot Poets and much much more. Childrens activities and food stalls in the ground, this is a great family event.
Art Gallery
Covering two of the main rooms on the first floor of the house. These are impressive rooms with views across the valley and, having been recently upgraded, they now provide a light, contemporary space, suitable for exploring and exhibiting the best new art. The team at the Whitaker are passionate about delivering a range of exhibitions throughout the year that will appeal to a number of audiences from the keen observer to the serious collector.
Eatery & Bar
With a fresh and informal approach to our menu, we provide a choice of light 'brunch style' dishes made from the highest quality locally sourced ingredients, all designed to allow you to enjoy throughout the morning into late afternoon. Our menu is influenced from foods around the world including Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free options being served alongside Afternoon Tea there is something for everyone to enjoy.
You can also enjoy a fully licensed bar, as well as the finest Illy coffee or highest quality Jing Tea, alongside our famed cake collection baked fresh in house.
Food Served Wed - Fri from 12.00pm to 7pm sat - sun 10:00am to 4pm
Natural History
From Orangutan to Platypus, Polar Bear to Elephant the museum collection of animals includes over 9000 preserved specimens.
The zoology collection includes many mounted mammals, most of the best are on display. A large collection of shells, many birds, eggs and entomology. The collection is worldwide in scope, with specimens from the Arctic to Asia, Africa to Europe as well as animals from our local environment.
Social History
The Social History Collections contain thousands of objects representing the everyday and exceptional lives of local people from the 18th Century to the present day. It aims to cover aspects of the domestic and social lives of those for whom Rossendale is home.
The range of objects in the collection is vast, only a part of which we have room to display at anyone time, but with regular changes there is something new to find overtime you visit.
A PLACE FOR THE PEOPLE
For over 100 years the Whitaker has stood to bring the community together and keep heritage alive. If you are planning a special event or occasion then talk to us about hiring space and make it a truly unique event.
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