Museums in Cumbria

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

Stott Park Bobbin Mill - Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere in Cumbria, this extensive working mill produced literally millions of wooden bobbins vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries. It is the only working bobbin mill left in the Lake District today.

The story of the Bobbin Mill is brought to life with tours and an exhibition. Visitors can also see the journey from tree to bobbin first hand during production on the original belt driven machinery. A hands-on family trail with dressing up for children helps visitors to imagine what it was like to work at the mill.

www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stott-park-bobbin-mill

Visit Cumbria www.visitcumbria.com/go/museum/

The Museums & Heritage Centres in Cumbria and the Lake District

There are many museums in Cumbria – from the three modern heritage centres at Carlisle, Whitehaven and Barrow, to the small and sometimes rather unusual museums. There is a pencil museum, a Laurel and Hardy Museum, and a museum of Roman alters.

Visit Lake District www.visitlakedistrict.com/things-to-do/

Cumbria’s rich history is ever-present in every village and town, on every fell and deep in every valley, but if you need a little interpretation, then head for one of the county’s many museums. From literature to arts and craft, from the story of the Romans to the tales of those beloved characters created by Beatrix Potter, Cumbria’s fine collection of museums will help put all those stories in order – and provide some entertainment along the way. We’ve got museums dedicated to every conceivable subject – from Laurel and Hardy to John Ruskin, from the history of motor cars to a new museum entirely devoted to the boats that have plied the waters of the lakes. We’ve got art galleries and museums with zones specifically aimed at younger visitors – we’ve even got a museum that’s all about pencils!

A Small Selection of Museums in Cumbria

Windermere Jetty Museum lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum/

Immerse yourself in an exciting programme of art displays, family-friendly activities, creative workshops, talks and events, and venture out on the lake in one of our beautifully restored heritage boats. 

Explore Windermere’s 200-year-old boating history, as we bring to life the lake’s boats, builders, sailors, skills and technology through interactive display, oral histories and a fascinating collection of boats, gadgets and curiosities. 

Kendal Museum www.kendalmuseum.org.uk

Kendal Museum was founded in 1796, making it one of Britain’s oldest museums. The Museum boasts unique collections of natural history and archaeology, has a shop, cafe and play area, and hosts group visits, events and workshops.

Wordsworth Grasmere www.wordsworth.org.uk

Dove Cottage, Museum, Garden-Orchard, Woodland and Shop

In 1799 William Wordsworth arrived in Grasmere aged 29, largely unknown and writing innovative poetry in a new style. Whilst living at Dove Cottage with his family, Wordsworth wrote many of his greatest poems and his sister Dorothy kept her Grasmere journal. Visit Wordsworth Grasmere and discover the story of this remarkable time in his life.

Derwent Pencil Museum www.derwentart.com

Home of the world's first pencil!

Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.

A journey of graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day production.

Discover our secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps; one of the largest colour pencils in the world measuring almost 8 metres; The Queen's diamond Jubilee pencil; miniature pencil sculptures; and much more!

Lakeland Motor Museum www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk

Explore our fascinating collection of over 30,000 exhibits that trace the development of road transport throughout the twentieth century - cycles, motorbikes, motor cars and automobilia.

Housed in a converted mill in the heart of the Lake District, we’re minutes from Lake Windermere.

The Ruskin Museum - Telling the Story of Coniston Since 1901 www.ruskinmuseum.com

The Ruskin Museum is an award-winning ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ telling the Story of Coniston from the first Stone Age fell-walkers, who made and traded stone axes, to the Jet Era of 50s and 60s when speed ace Donald Campbell broke 4 World Water Speed Records in Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water.

The Dock Museum - Barrow www.dockmuseum.org.uk

A Great Day Out

Come and visit our unique museum, built over a 19th century dry dock in an channel-side location.  Indoors there are galleries exploring the history of the people and industries of the Barrow-in-Furness area, changing exhibitions, gift shop and café.  And outside is a sea themed playground, picnic tables, sculpture, lifeboat and Walney Channel.