List of museums in Cumbria facts for kids
Welcome to the amazing world of museums in Cumbria, England! Museums are special places where cool stuff from the past, art, science, and history is kept safe. They collect and look after important objects, then show them to everyone. This list includes museums, art galleries, and even some university art spots. Get ready to explore the rich history and culture of Cumbria!
Contents
Museums in Cumbria
Art and Culture Museums
- Abbot Hall Art Gallery (Kendal): This gallery shows off beautiful art, including paintings by famous artists like George Romney and J. M. W. Turner. You can see watercolours from the 1700s and 1800s, plus modern art.
- Beatrix Potter Gallery (Hawkshead): Run by the National Trust, this gallery displays original drawings and watercolours by Beatrix Potter for her much-loved children's books.
- Blackwell (Bowness-on-Windermere): Step back in time at this beautiful Arts and Crafts Movement style house from the early 1900s. It has rooms set up as they would have been, plus art exhibits.
- Brantwood (Coniston): This was the home of the famous art critic John Ruskin. Today, it's a museum with art displays, lovely gardens, and grounds to explore.
- Quaker Tapestry (Kendal): Discover the history of the Quakers through 77 amazing embroidered panels. They show stories from the 1600s right up to today.
- Rheged Centre (Penrith): This cool attraction has galleries for art and photography. You can also watch 3D films, visit shops, and find play areas.
- Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery (Carlisle): This large museum has a bit of everything! You can see modern and old art, fancy decorative items, costumes, and textiles. It also covers natural history, archaeology, Roman Britain, and Carlisle's social history.
History and Local Life Museums
- Armitt Library (Ambleside): This museum focuses on local history and nature. It even has over 450 watercolours by Beatrix Potter that show archaeological and animal subjects.
- Beacon Museum, Whitehaven (Whitehaven): Learn about local history, art, industry, nature, and the maritime (sea) heritage of Whitehaven.
- Brougham Hall (Brougham): This is a restored country house that features exhibits about local history.
- Dalton Castle (Dalton-in-Furness): This 14th-century peel tower is run by the National Trust. It has displays that tell the story of local history.
- Dock Museum (Barrow-in-Furness): Discover the local history of Barrow-in-Furness, including shipbuilding, the steel industry, and the World War II bombings.
- Guildhall Museum, Carlisle (Carlisle): Located in a building from 1407, this museum has items related to the old Guilds (groups of skilled workers).
- Helena Thompson Museum (Workington): This museum features rooms set up from different time periods, costumes, decorative arts, and local history. It also covers industry, culture, and farming.
- Hub of the North Pennines Museum (Alston): This museum has a cool collection of vintage cars, motorbikes, and bicycles. It also covers local history, farming, and even has a model railroad!
- Kendal Museum (Kendal): Explore local history, culture, archaeology, and geology here. It also has exhibits on local and world natural history, Roman Britain, and Ancient Egypt.
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- Keswick Museum and Art Gallery (Keswick): This museum tells the story of local history and natural history. It has minerals, art, and even a collection of interesting oddities!
- Millom Discovery Centre (Millom): See how old stores looked, learn about iron mining and old rural jobs. There's even a 19th-century miner's cottage, and exhibits on farming, archaeology, and the local poet Norman Nicholson.
- Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry (Kendal): This museum explores local history with period rooms, exhibits on farming, mining, the Arts & Crafts movement, and costumes.
- Norman Centre (Appleby-in-Westmorland): Located in a castle keep, this centre offers an interactive experience about the castle's history.
- Penrith and Eden Museum (Penrith): Learn about the local history, geology, and archaeology of the Penrith area.
- Ruskin Museum (Coniston): This museum covers local history, including copper mining, slate, geology, lace, and farming. It also features exhibits on art critic John Ruskin and the famous car and motorboat racer Donald Campbell.
- Solway Coast Discovery Centre (Silloth): This centre explores local history, culture, and natural history, and also has an art gallery.
Historic Homes and Castles
- Birdoswald Roman Fort (Gilsland): Explore the remains of an excavated Roman fort. It's a great place to imagine what life was like for Roman soldiers!
- Carlisle Castle (Carlisle): This historic fortress is run by English Heritage. It's a museum of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and a fascinating place to learn about military history.
- Dalemain Estate (Ullswater): This beautiful estate features a house with parts from medieval, Tudor, and early Georgian times, surrounded by lovely Lake District gardens.
- Derwent Island House (Keswick): This unique 18th-century house is on an island and is run by the National Trust. It's only open a few days a year by special ticket.
- Dove Cottage (Grasmere): This was the home and museum of the famous poet William Wordsworth.
- Hill Top (Near Sawrey): This charming house was the home of children's author Beatrix Potter and is now run by the National Trust.
- Holker Hall (Grange-over-Sands): A large country house with beautiful gardens to explore.
- Hutton in the Forest (Penrith): This medieval manor house and its gardens offer a glimpse into history.
- Levens Hall (Kendal): This manor house is famous for its amazing topiary garden (trees and bushes shaped into cool designs). It also has a collection of steam vehicles and engines.
- Mirehouse (Keswick): A 17th-century house and gardens connected to famous writers like Lord Tennyson and William Wordsworth.
- Muncaster Castle (Ravenglass): Explore this beautifully decorated castle and its gardens.
- Rydal Mount (Ambleside): Another home and museum of the poet William Wordsworth.
- Sir John Barrow Cottage (Ulverston): This was the birthplace of the important statesman Sir John Barrow, 1st Baronet. (Note: This museum is currently closed).
- Sizergh Castle & Garden (Helsington): Run by the National Trust, this medieval castle is also a stately home with beautiful gardens and woodlands.
- Townend (Troutbeck): This house, run by the National Trust, belonged to a wealthy farming family and shows how they lived.
- Wordsworth House (Cockermouth): This 18th-century Georgian townhouse, run by the National Trust, was the childhood home of the poet William Wordsworth.
Industry and Transport Museums
- Derwent Pencil Museum (Keswick): Ever wondered how pencils are made? This museum tells the story of pencil making!
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- Haig Colliery Mining Museum (Whitehaven): Learn all about coal mining at this museum.
- Heron Corn Mill (Beetham): See a working 18th-century watermill in action!
- Lakeland Motor Museum (Backbarrow): If you love cars, this is the place for you! It has a collection of classic automobiles and cool memorabilia.
- Maryport Maritime Museum (Maryport): Discover Maryport's history with the sea and paintings. It also covers industry, social, and political history.
- Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre (Nenthead): Explore the history of mineral mining in the North Pennines, including a lead and zinc mine, old equipment, and buildings.
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Ravenglass): Enjoy a ride on this heritage railway and visit the museum at the station.
- Rum Story (Whitehaven): Learn about the history of the rum trade and how rum is made. This museum is located in an original trading shop and warehouses from 1785!
- Senhouse Roman Museum (Maryport): Located at the site of the Roman fort Alauna, this museum displays amazing Roman artifacts.
- Solway Aviation Museum (Carlisle): Found at the Carlisle Lake District Airport, this museum focuses on World War II aviation and the history of local flying.
- Stott Park Bobbin Mill (Newby Bridge): Run by English Heritage, this was once a mill that made bobbins (spools for thread). You can still see the preserved engines!
- Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum (Threlkeld): Explore a former microgranite quarry and see exhibits, tools, and artifacts from mines in the area.
- Windermere Jetty: Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories (Windermere): This museum has a fantastic collection of boats and lets you experience the sights, smells, and sounds of life on the lake.
Unique and Special Interest Museums
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum (Hawkshead): This historic school dates back to the 17th century and is now a museum about education.
- Laurel and Hardy Museum (Ulverston): A fun museum dedicated to the famous comedy team Laurel and Hardy.
- World in Miniature Museum (Houghton): Get ready to be amazed by a collection of tiny, detailed miniature furnished room displays!
Former Museums
Some museums in Cumbria have closed their doors. These include:
- Cars of the Stars Motor Museum, Keswick (closed 2011)
- Cumberland Toy and Model Museum, Cockermouth
- Florence Mine Heritage Centre, Egremont
- James Bond Museum, Keswick (closed 2011)
- Keswick Mining Museum, Cotehill
- Lanternhouse International, Ulverston
- RAF Millom Museum (closed 2010)
See also
- Visitor attractions in Cumbria
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List of museums in Cumbria Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.