RIPPING yarns and glorious glasshouses are among the attractions as Cliffe Castle Museum reopens on January 18 following essential work.

The Keighley museum had to close over the Christmas period to allow conservation work on the Butterfield stained glass above the staircase.

Soon visitors will be able to have a good look at two new exhibitions that opened in December.

A Yorkshireman’s Travels follows explorer Enoch Pendergast on his world adventure, exploring the Victorian and Edwardian fascination with exploration and travel, with images of faraway places and exotic objects originally sent back by Bradford explorers.

A spokesman said: “The exhibition looks at Keighley and Bradford’s international role in the world and the influence of World Cultures on the area and its citizens. Bradford’s scientific societies aimed to inform and educate Bradford’s citizens about the world, through lectures and lantern slide shows, in a time when most people could not travel outside of the UK.”

The museum is also hosting an exhibition of artwork by Ann Davies entitled The Glasshouses at Cliffe Castle, running until February 24. Davies has created paintings and drawings from visits across Yorkshire

The spokesman said: “From the magnificent shopping arcades of Leeds to derelict polytunnels in Shipley, Ann’s delight knows no bounds!”

Responses to Art is the title of an event hosted by Ann on February 7 from 10.30am to 3pm, at which she will introduce people to the way she works, then give them a chance to sketch some of the park’s glasshouses.

Story to Tell is a free monthly event at Cliffe Castle Museum where staff relate fascinating stories about objects in the museum’s collections.The new season begins on Friday, January 18 at10.30am, and continues on February 15, March 15, May 17, June 21 and July 19.

Renowned historian Ian Dewhirst will give a talk on Saturday, January 19 at1.30pm in the museum entitled Aspects of Keighley Hospital History. The talk, arranged by the Cliffe Castle Support Group, will cover older hospitals including the First World War hospital that dealt with 13,000 military cases.

Visit bradfordmuseums.org for further information.