The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven opens in May with new VR experience The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is reopening on Tuesday 18 May. Hoping to see regulars and visitors alike, the museum has installed a new mining VR experience, taking visitors under the ground and sea to the coal face. Visitors can explore 4 floors of interactive history including exhibitions of local interests. The museum is excited to welcome locals back to a wide range of content ranging from ancient Roman relics to the modern day science of the nuclear power generation.