List of museums in Cumbria facts for kids

Cumbria is a beautiful county in England, famous for its stunning Lake District. It's also home to many interesting museums! A museum is a special place where cool objects from the past or present are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about art, science, history, or culture. Think of them as treasure chests filled with stories!

This list will help you discover some of the amazing museums you can visit in Cumbria. They offer a peek into different worlds, from ancient Roman times to famous authors' homes and even how pencils are made!

Museums to Explore in Cumbria

Abbot Hall Art Gallery

Located in Kendal, this art gallery is a fantastic place to see beautiful paintings. It has works by famous artists like George Romney and J. M. W. Turner. You can also explore lovely 18th and 19th-century watercolours and modern art.

Armitt Library

In Ambleside, the Armitt Library is more than just books! It's a museum focused on local history and nature. A super cool feature is its collection of over 450 watercolours by the beloved children's author, Beatrix Potter. These paintings show archaeological finds and animals.

Beacon Museum, Whitehaven

Head to Whitehaven to visit the Beacon Museum. It tells the story of the local area, its art, industries, and natural world. You can also learn about Whitehaven's exciting history with the sea.

Beatrix Potter Gallery

If you love Beatrix Potter's books, you must visit her gallery in Hawkshead. Run by the National Trust, it displays original sketches and watercolours that Beatrix Potter created for her famous stories.

Birdoswald Roman Fort

Step back in time at Birdoswald Roman Fort near Gilsland. This is an excavated Roman fort, meaning archaeologists have carefully uncovered its ancient remains. You can explore what life was like for Roman soldiers on Hadrian's Wall.

Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House

Near Bowness-on-Windermere, Blackwell is a stunning house built in the Arts and Crafts Movement style from the early 1900s. You can see rooms decorated as they would have been back then and enjoy art exhibits.

Brantwood

In Coniston, Brantwood was the home of the famous art critic John Ruskin. Today, it's a museum where you can see his art, explore his beautiful gardens, and learn about his life.

Carlisle Castle

Visit Carlisle Castle in Carlisle, a historic fortress managed by English Heritage. It also has a museum about the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, telling stories of soldiers and battles.

Dalton Castle

Operated by the National Trust, Dalton Castle in Dalton-in-Furness is a 14th-century peel tower. It has displays about local history.

Derwent Pencil Museum

Ever wondered how pencils are made? The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick will show you! It's all about the history and process of making pencils.

Dock Museum

The Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness shares the local history of the town. You can learn about shipbuilding, the steel industry, and even what it was like during World War II bombings.

Dove Cottage

In Grasmere, Dove Cottage was once the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth. Now it's a museum where you can see where he lived and wrote some of his most famous poems.

Haig Colliery Mining Museum

Discover the world of coal mining at the Haig Colliery Mining Museum in Whitehaven. It shows what it was like to work deep underground.

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

Explore a historic school dating back to the 17th century at the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in Hawkshead. Imagine what school was like hundreds of years ago!

Heron Corn Mill

At Beetham, the Heron Corn Mill is a working 18th-century watermill. You can see how grain was traditionally ground into flour using the power of water.

Hill Top

Another special place connected to Beatrix Potter is Hill Top in Near Sawrey. This was her home, and it's kept just as she left it, full of her belongings and inspiration for her stories. It's run by the National Trust.

Hub of the North Pennines Museum

In Alston, this museum has a mix of interesting things. You can see vintage cars, motorbikes, and bicycles. It also covers local history, farming, and even has a model railroad!

Kendal Museum

The Kendal Museum in Kendal is packed with local history, culture, and archaeology. It also has exhibits on geology, natural history from Cumbria and around the world, Roman Britain, and even Ancient Egypt.

Keswick Museum and Art Gallery

In Keswick, this museum offers a look at local history, natural history, and minerals. It also features art and a collection of unique and interesting oddities.

Lakeland Motor Museum

If you love cars, the Lakeland Motor Museum in Backbarrow is for you! It showcases classic automobiles and lots of cool car memorabilia.

Laurel and Hardy Museum

In Ulverston, you can visit a museum dedicated to the famous comedy duo, Laurel and Hardy. Learn about their lives and careers.

Levens Hall

Near Kendal, Levens Hall is a beautiful manor house with an amazing topiary garden (gardens with plants shaped into intricate designs). It also has a collection of old steam vehicles and engines.

Maryport Maritime Museum

Explore the sea-faring history of Maryport at its Maryport Maritime Museum. It covers the town's maritime past, painting history, and local industry.

Millom Discovery Centre

The Millom Discovery Centre in Millom takes you back in time with period store displays and exhibits on iron mining and rural trades. You can even see a 19th-century miner's cottage and learn about local poet Norman Nicholson.

Muncaster Castle

Visit Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass, a beautifully decorated castle with lovely gardens to explore.

Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry

Also in Kendal, this museum tells the story of local life and industry in the Lake District. It features period rooms, information on farming, mining, the Arts & Crafts movement, and historical costumes.

Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre

At Nenthead, this heritage centre explores the history of mineral mining in the North Pennines. You can see a lead and zinc mine, old equipment, and mining buildings.

Norman Centre

Located at Appleby-in-Westmorland Castle, the Norman Centre offers an interactive experience inside the castle keep, bringing history to life.

Penrith and Eden Museum

The Penrith and Eden Museum in Penrith focuses on local history, geology, and archaeology of the Eden Valley area.

Quaker Tapestry

In Kendal, the Quaker Tapestry is a unique display of 77 embroidered panels. These panels illustrate the history of the Quakers from the 17th century to today.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

At Ravenglass, you can enjoy a ride on a heritage railway and visit the museum at the station. It's a fun way to experience old-fashioned train travel.

Rum Story

The Rum Story in Whitehaven tells the fascinating history of the rum trade and how rum is made. It's located in original trading shops and warehouses from 1785.

Ruskin Museum

The Ruskin Museum in Coniston covers local history, including copper mining, slate, and farming. It also features exhibits on art critic John Ruskin and the famous car and motorboat racer Donald Campbell.

Rydal Mount

Another home of poet William Wordsworth, Rydal Mount in Ambleside is now a museum. You can explore the house and gardens where he lived and found inspiration.

Senhouse Roman Museum

At Maryport, the Senhouse Roman Museum is built on the site of the Roman fort Alauna. It displays many artifacts found from the Roman era.

Sizergh Castle & Garden

Operated by the National Trust, Sizergh Castle & Garden in Helsington is a medieval castle and stately home. You can explore its beautiful gardens and woodlands.

Solway Aviation Museum

Located at the Carlisle Lake District Airport, the Solway Aviation Museum focuses on World War II aviation and the history of flying in the local area.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

Near Newby Bridge, Stott Park Bobbin Mill is a former bobbin mill operated by English Heritage. You can see preserved engines and learn how bobbins (spools for thread) were made.

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum

The Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum in Threlkeld was once a microgranite quarry. It now has exhibits, tools, and artifacts from mines in the area.

Townend

In Troutbeck, Townend is a historic house that belonged to a wealthy farming family. It's run by the National Trust.

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery

The Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle is a large museum with lots to see. It has contemporary and historic art, decorative art, costumes, textiles, natural history, archaeology, and exhibits on Roman Britain and Carlisle's social history.

Windermere Jetty: Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories

At Windermere, this museum is all about boats, steam, and the stories of life on the lake. You can see a collection of boats and experience the sounds and smells of the lake's history.

Wordsworth House

In Cockermouth, Wordsworth House is the childhood home of poet William Wordsworth. This 18th-century Georgian townhouse is operated by the National Trust.

World in Miniature Museum

The World in Miniature Museum in Houghton has a fascinating collection of tiny, furnished room displays. Everything is in miniature!

Past Museums

Some museums in Cumbria have closed their doors over the years. Here are a few that are no longer open:

• Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Keswick (closed in 2011)
• Cumberland Toy and Model Museum, Cockermouth
• Florence Mine Heritage Centre, Egremont
• James Bond Museum, Keswick (closed in 2011)
• Keswick Mining Museum, Cotehill
• Lanternhouse International, Ulverston
• RAF Millom Museum (closed in 2010)

See also

• Visitor attractions in Cumbria