England
Cumbria

Museums in the Lake District

Kendal, Cumbria Location map Abbot Hall Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal. Now transformed into a combination museum and art gallery. The art gallery is one of the best in Britain, with works by Romney, Ruskin, Turner, and Constable. Also at Abbot Hall is the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry. Well worth a visit. Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA9 5AL Location: off A591 Website: Abbot Hall Email: info@abbothall.org.uk Phone: 01539 722 464 Fax: 01539 722 494 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hawkshead, Cumbria Location map Beatrix Potter Gallery Housed in a building that was once the office of the author's husband, the museum offers changing exhibits of original watercolour illustrations and sketches from her stories. Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, England, LA22 0NS Location: on B5285 Website: Beatrix Potter Gallery Email: beatrixpottergallery@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 015394 36355 Fax: 015394 36187 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cark-in-Cartmell, Cumbria Location map Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald set 21 world speed records on land and sea. This musem uses video, photos, and scale models to tell the story of this remarkable father and son team. One of the highlights is a full-scale model of the jet engine hydroplane Bluebird in which Donald Campbell was killed while attempting to break the water speed record on Coniston water in 1967. Holker Hall, Grange-over-Sands, Cark-in-Cartmell, Cumbria, England, LA11 7PL Location: on B5278 Website: Campbell Legend Bluebird Exhibition Phone: 015395 58328 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Carlisle, Cumbria Carlisle Guildhall Museum The Guildhall is one of Carlisle's medieval treasures, dating to 1405. There were eight separate guilds in Carlisle, and each guild had a separate meeting room. Each guild room has its own character and hosts displays relating to the history of the city and the guild. Within the museum are displays outlining the city's history, including stocks used for punishing criminals, the chest which kept the city's valuables safe in the Middle Ages, and two bells from the Elizabethan period that were awarded as prizes for horse racing. Fisher St, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, Location: close to the Visitor Centre in the Old Town Hall Phone: 01228 534 781 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cockermouth, Cumbria Location map Castlegate House Gallery This listed Georgian House is home to exhibits of contemporary paintings, sculpture, ceramics jewellery and glass. Walled scupture garden. Castlegate Drive, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, CA13 9HA Location: opposite Cockermouth Castle Website: Castlegate House Gallery Email: castlegatehouse.co.uk Phone: 01900 822 149 Fax: 01900 822 149 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Grasmere, Cumbria Location map Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum Wordworth's best years were spent in this delightfully well-preserved cottage by the shores of Grasmere. Excellent guided tours, and the museum is replete with memorabilia, portraits, and writings by the famous poet. There are special exhibitions throughout the year. Grasmere, Cumbria, England, LA22 9SH Location: nr Ambleside, on A591 Website: Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum Email: enquiries@wordsworth.org.uk Phone: 015394 35544 Fax: 015394 35748 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Sawrey, Cumbria Location map Hill Top Tiny 17th century house where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her children's stories. It has been preserved exactly as it was when the author left it, right down to her china. Hawkshead, Sawrey, Cumbria, England, LA22 0LF Location: 2 m S Hawkshead. NOTE: Hill Top is very small. A timed entry system is in effect. Maximize your chances of getting in by avoiding peak times, especially mornings during school holidays. Website: Hill Top Email: hilltop@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 015394 36269 Fax: 015394 36811 National Trust Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Keswick, Cumbria Location map Keswick Museum Housed in a building contructed for this very purpose in 1897, the Keswick Museum tells the story of the town and the area. Everyone knows about the incredible scenery, but did you know the first pencils were invented here? Not to mention a 500-year-old cat and Napoleon's teacup... Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria, England, CA12 4NF Email: keswick.museum@allerdale.gov.uk Phone: 01768 773 263 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cockermouth, Cumbria Location map Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre Lively presentations of shearing, breeds, working sheep dogs. Egremont Road, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, CA13 0QX Location: off the A66 and A5086 at the S edge of Cockermouth Website: Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre Email: reception@shepherdshotel.co.uk Phone: 01900 822 673 Fax: 01900 820 129 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cockermouth, Cumbria Location map Printing House Museum Trace the history of printing in this hands-on museum located next to Wordsworth House. Learn how type is set, then get a chance to typset your own name. 102 Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, CA13 9LX Location: off A594 Website: Printing House Museum Email: info@printinghouse.co.uk Phone: 01900 824984 Fax: 01900 823124 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Coniston, Cumbria Location map Ruskin Museum, Coniston This small, award-winning museum tells the tale of Coniston's past, including the stories of the most famous names associated with the village; John Ruskin, Donald Campbell, and Arthur Ransome. Coniston, Cumbria, England, LA21 8DU Location: Located just off the High Street in the centre of Coniston. Limited on street parking, but also large paid parking lot nearby. Website: Ruskin Museum, Coniston Phone: 015394 41164 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Finsthwaite, Cumbria Location map Stott Park Bobbin Mill A piece of Lake District history, the working bobbin mill at Stott Park is a reminder of Cumbria's industrial heritage. Newby Bridge, Finsthwaite, Cumbria, England, LA12 8AX Location: ½ m N Finsthwaite near Newby Bridge; southwest side of Lake Windermere; accessible by Windermere ferry from Ambleside to Lakeside, then 1 mile Website: Stott Park Bobbin Mill Phone: 015395 31087 English Heritage Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Carlisle, Cumbria Location map Tullie House Museum This award-winning museum traces the turbulent history of the city of Carlisle and the border regions through interactive displays and audio-visual aids. From the Roman invasion, the building of Hadrian's Wall, and the years of the Border Rievers, the museum examines the history, archaeology, and social history of the Carlisle area. The art gallery houses exhibitions of fine and decorative arts, including an extensive Pre-Raphaelite collection, and changing exhibits of contemporary artists from all across the country. Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA3 8TP Location: in city centre between the castle and the cathedral Website: Tullie House Museum Email: enquiries@tulliehouse.co.uk Phone: 01228 534 781 Fax: 01228 810 249 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Cumbria/Lake District Travel Guide Introduction to Cumbria - Photo Tour Featured attractions Ambleside - Brantwood - Carlisle - Carlisle Castle - Cartmel Priory - Castlerigg Stone Circle - Cockermouth - Dove Cottage - Grasmere - Hadrian's Wall - Keswick - Kendal - Lake District National Park - Ravenglass Cumbria Accommodation Hotels - Self Catering Cottages