Group visits

Our knowledgeable guides will provide you with a sensitive account of the histories of the Jeffersons, Whitehaven, rum, enslavement, and their legacies.

School groups

The Rum Story offers an educational experience for all ages. Our professional costume guides will be on hand to bring Whitehaven’s fascinating past to life.

Add value to your school group guided visit by accessing our educational suite. Seating up to 60 people, the suite can easily facilitate further discussion and exploration of The Rum Story and its themes.

Private and
bespoke tours

For a more personalised experience, our expert tour guides will lead you and your group through our fascinating exhibit. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have and offer insight into the intriguing history of Whitehaven, rum and the Jefferson family.

Catering packages

We are able to offer a range of catering packages to groups and welcome you to contact us for more details.

Explore

Mr Jefferson’s office

Step inside this Dickensian office and be whisked back to an age of industry, right in the heart of Georgian Whitehaven.

Antiguan rainforest

A flavour of the sights, smells and sounds of the dense flora and fauna, all of which were completely alien to 17th century English settlers.

Slavery and the history of rum

In this thought-provoking exhibit we chronicle the history of harvesting and processing raw sugar cane to create the dark spirit we know today.

The Jeffersons

Delve into the history of one of the oldest wine and spirit merchants in the UK and discover their links to some of Britain’s greatest institutions.

Bonded warehouse

Ideally located in west Cumbria, the Jefferson warehouse was the perfect place to receive imported goods from the Caribbean.

Pirates and smugglers

Blow me down! Did you know that plundering pirates were engaged by the crown to attack enemy ships for silver, gold, tobacco and rum?

Rum and the Royal Navy

Life on board a navy ship was brutal and a spot of hard drinking was fair compensation for being permanently wet, in danger and at risk of disease.

Prohibition and the jazz age

Prohibition forced innovative citizens to go to great lengths to get their hands on the ‘demon drink’ with speakeasies and illicit stills.