Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston in 1890, specifically at 3 Foundry Cottages.
The museum collection began as a personal hobby of local shopkeeper Bill Cubin in the 1970s.
The 'Sons of the Desert' fan club, referenced in the museum, was named after the 1933 Laurel and Hardy feature film of the same name.
The building hosting the museum, The Roxy, is a former cinema, maintaining a thematic link to the duo's career.
Ulverston hosts an annual Laurel and Hardy festival, with the museum serving as the central venue for events.
The Laurel & Hardy Museum in Ulverston is dedicated to the life and career of Stan Laurel, who was born in this Cumbrian market town. Housed in The Roxy cinema building, the museum displays an extensive private collection of memorabilia amassed by founder Bill Cubin over several decades. Visitors can view original props, personal correspondence, rare photographs, and movie scripts spanning the duo's cinematic history. The facility serves as a focal point for the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, the 'Sons of the Desert'. Exhibits document the transition from silent film era shorts to their successful feature-length talkies. The site also functions as a community cinema and local cultural hub.
Next to the iconic bowler hat and cane display inside the main exhibition hall.
Combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Stan Laurel statue in the town centre.
Check the local cinema screening schedule, as the venue still operates as a functional movie theatre.
Allow time to browse the on-site gift shop for niche merchandise not found in standard retail stores.
Assuming the museum covers the duo's full lives without focusing on the Ulverston connection; do not miss the exterior statue located elsewhere in town.
Occasionally closes for private cinema events; check local notices for updates.
