Get a taste of Cumbria’s history and heritage by visiting one of our amazing attractions this month.

October is still a great month to get into our many attractions as they are all still open for the season and offer a fascinating insight into the history, heritage and culture of Cumbria, the Lake District and those who have called the county home.

Now is the time to immerse yourself in some fascinating museums, get creative with hands-on workshops, be entertained by film and live performances, and seek out the stories that make Cumbria such a special destination.

Beautiful Cumbrian landscapes have inspired many famous poets, writers and artists. Learn about the life of poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy with a visit to Cockermouth’s Wordsworth Museum or Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere. Visit the home of Beatrix Potter at Hill Top Farm near Hawkshead to discover more about this iconic children’s author and illustrator. To find out more about the work of famous Lake District artists, visit the Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere or the home of John Ruskin at Brantwood historic house in Coniston.

Brantwood, Coniston

Cumbria is home to a host of superb museums. At the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, visit the legendary Bluebird K7 – famous for 4 world water speed records on Coniston Water. Find local history and heritage on show at the Armitt Museum in Ambleside, The Rum Story or Beacon Museum in Whitehaven. Meanwhile take in one of Lakeland Arts three stunning venues: Blackwell Arts & Crafts house, Abbot Hall gallery in Kendal and the Windermere Jetty Museum near Bowness-on-Windermere.

The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven

As you visit the bustling towns around Cumbria and the Lake District, there is even more to take in. Unearth natural history, archaeology and geology at Kendal Museum - one of the oldest in the UK. Also in Kendal, understand the Quakers and their impact on society at the Quaker Tapestry Museum. With free entrance for children, be sure to make the most of their family activities and interactive displays.

Kendal Museum

Make a day of it in Carlisle with plenty of cultural sites to keep you busy. Tullie House Museum, Cumbria's Museum of Military Life, Carlisle Castle and Carlisle Cathedral will keep you engaged. The city also boasts a packed programme of events and plenty of great food and drink options. The Birdoswald Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall is also nearby.

Cumbria also offers a whole host of venues for getting hands on with creative activities. Greystoke Craft Garden and Barns is a peaceful, rural venue offering an inspiring range of art and craft courses, as does Rheged and Brougham Hall. Tucked away just outside Sedbergh there are workshops galore at arts and crafts venue Farfield Mill.

Farfield Mill, Sedbergh

Cumbria boasts a delightful collection independent cinemas and entertainment venues. Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal is not only the place to catch the latest blockbuster movies but also view art, see live music, comedy and theatre of tuck into some tasty food in the restaurant.  The fantastic Zeffirellis in Ambleside offers movie and meal deals or visit one of the oldest cinemas in the country at the Alhambra in Keswick.

Keswick Alhambra Cinema

You may wish to see one of the many locations used in TV & films such as Skiddaw and lakes of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite which all featured in Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens. The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness on Windermere and the Theatre by The Lake in Keswick also hold a range of live performances for a great evening out.

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

As we run up to Christmas, days and nights out in Cumbria take on a magical atmosphere, such as the new winter experience at the National Trust’s Sizergh Castle.  Follow the immersive light and sound installations through the grounds and get creative with festive crafts in the Great Barn.

Sizergh Castle, near Kendal

At Levens Hall, fires will be lit in the House which will also be decorated beautifully for Christmas. Expect traditional Christmas music and a festive menu in the café.

From historic sites to lively arts venues and engaging museum exhibits, get ready to go on a top-class cultural journey around the Lake District, Cumbria. Many venues will have winter opening hours so don’t forget to check in advance.