Museums in Cumbria

Polly Checkland Harding

Cumbria’s museums do a fantastic job of showcasing the area’s historic figures and practices, with Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s 17th century farm house – as much of a draw as The Wordsworth Museum, next to the writer’s first family home. Here’s our selection.

Our top picks

The Ruskin Museum

The Ruskin Museum, The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DU - Visit now

The Ruskin Museum tells the story of Coniston in Cumbria – a place of copper mines and slate quarries, Swallows & Amazons country where Beatrix Potter owned farms and Stone Age fell walkers once dwelled.

The Ruskin Museum.

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Rayrigg Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA231BN - Visit now

Windermere Jetty Museum, on the banks of one of England’s largest and most picturesque lakes, is a new museum dedicated to the timeless pleasure of boating.

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories in Cumbria
Courtesy of Lakeland Arts

The Wordsworth Museum

The Wordsworth Museum, The Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH - Visit now

Next door to Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s first family home, is the Wordsworth Museum, which houses an unsurpassed collection of the Wordsworths’ letters, journals and poems.

Dove Cottage and The Wordsworth Museum

Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry

Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL - Visit now

The Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry tells the story of how the unique landscape in the Lake District has shaped the lives of its inhabitants, tracing historic farming, mining and tanning practices as well as showcasing a typical Victorian farm house and high street.

Courtesy of Lakeland Arts

Hill Top

Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF - Visit now

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top in 1905 with the proceeds from her first book; the 17th century farmhouse has since been turned into a time-capsule of her life, surrounded by a lovely cottage garden.

Hill Top © National Trust Images / Stephen Robson.

Where to go in Cumbria

Cumbria
Museum
Dent Village Heritage Centre & Museum

Dent Village Heritage Centre & Museum displays important, yet lesser known, histories. The centre itself has been built entirely through local labour, with the displays covering histories from vampires to slavery.

Cumbria
Museum
The Puzzling Place

Interactive optical illusion, for each visitor to immerse themselves in. This specialty museum in Keswick will baffle, surprise and amuse.

Cumbria
Museum
A World in Miniature Museum

Considered one of the best collections in the world, whether you are already a miniaturist fan, or a fresh face, you won’t leave this Museum without an appreciation.

The Armitt Museum
Cumbria
Gallery
The Armitt Museum

Full of interesting and unusual objects, The Armitt is a museum that shares the history and heritage of Ambleside and its people.

Cumbria
Museum
Wordsworth Grasmere

From book launches to writing groups to poetry nights, there’s always something going on at Wordsworth Grasmere.

Kendal Museum
Kendal and Sedbergh
Museum
Kendal Museum

Kendal Museum houses an impressive collection of artefacts, both historical and natural, from Neolithic treasures through to beautiful animals.

Cumbria
Museum
Hill Top

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top in 1905 with the proceeds from her first book.

Cumbria Visitor Guides

Tasting Menus in The North

Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.

Stately Homes in the North

The North of England is blessed with countless stunning stately homes, many dating back decades and even centuries. Here are some of the very best.

Literary places in Cumbria
Literary places in Cumbria

It was good enough for Wordsworth and Wainwright... From Kendal in the south to Carlisle in the north, we sniff out the best bookish shenanigans in Cumbria.

Walks in Penrith
Walks in Penrith

A selection of some of most rewarding and beautiful walks in Penrith, full of chances to catch open air and natural attraction.

Walks in Kendal

A round-up of the best walks in Kendal, including the town centre, official tours and the surrounding area by Creative Tourist.

Art Galleries in Cumbria

Ranging from impressive, nationally-significant collections in Grade listed buildings, to historic houses that now have a particular focus on local, contemporary artists, here's our guide to Cumbria's collection of art galleries.

Restaurants in Cumbria

Cumbria is far from short of good places to eat – here’s our guide to restaurants to put on your map of the area.

Music Venues in Cumbria

When the sun goes down and you've had your fair share of Cumbria's great outdoors, head to the area's music venues to catch folk and jazz sessions, as well as regular performances by touring musicians.

Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.

A man is dressed as an Elf in a decorated department store.
Cinema in the North

Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.