Let's Go...Discover Heritage & Culture this Winter

Across the beautiful region of Westmorland and Furness Heritage, cultural attractions offer the perfect way to entertain and educate the whole family this half-term. From nature walks to live music, historic country houses to interactive museums, there’s so much to discover.

Amongst those open are:

Galleries & Arts Centres

Abbot Hall, Kendal

• Located in a Grade I listed building, Kendal's Abbot Hall has an internationally significant art collection. One of the largest of its kind in the north, it includes over 3,000 works from the likes of JMW Turner, John Ruskin, David Hockney and Kurt Schwitters.
• EVAN Gallery and Studios is a unique venue in Penrith which displays original artworks by local artists. This can include paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.  There are also gifts, greetings cards and notebooks available to purchase. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 – 4.
• Discover living heritage at Farfield Mill, where the historic building still hosts creators and artisans to date. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
• Brougham Hall, originally a fortified home, built in the 14^th century, is now home to an array of artisan’s studios.  This hidden gem features an impressive collection of makers and artisans including those specialising in ceramics, blacksmithing, jewellery, screen printing, woodturning and distilling.  The café and artists studios are open daily from 10 – 4.
• The Heaton Cooper Gallery in Grasmere exhibits the works of three generations of the Heaton Cooper family. There's also a shop selling gifts and art supplies, and cafe offering delicious, Scandi inspired food.

Country Houses

Brantwood Coniston

• The National Trust's Acorn Bank, which re-opens for the season on weekends throughout February.  Famed for their hundreds of snowdrops in the gardens, it’s a magical time to visit.
• Another National Trust property, Allan Bank in Grasmere was once home to both William Wordsworth and National Trust founder, Canon Rawnsley. They're open from 16 Feb.
• Blackwell – The Arts & Crafts House is considered to be one of the finest examples of the Arts and Crafts movement. 
• The former home of renowned artist, John Ruskin, Brantwood offers a house and gardens for exploration. Current opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30 – 3.
• Hill Top House, the former home of Beatrix Potter still remains today as it was when she lived there.  Explore the home of one of the UK’s best loved and most prolific children’s authors. The house is open daily from 15 – 27 February.
• Sizergh has been home to the Strickland family for over 800 years. This 1,600 acre estate offers plenty to explore including gardens, wetland, woodland and orchards which are all open throughout February.
• Swarthmoor Hall is where the Quaker Movement began in the UK and is still used today for retreats and pilgrimages.  Learn all about founder George Fox on a tour of the estate. The grounds, shop and café are open Wednesday to Friday with the main house opening in summer.
• Wray – the grounds of this beautiful 'Castle' are open daily during February with a children’s play area and access to Windermere.
• Wordsworth Grasmere & Dove Cottage is the former childhood home of William Wordsworth, the cottage and museum, tells of how he and his sister, Dorothy lived and worked. Events at the venue in February include a cooking and baking session for children, which uses songs, stories and play based learning inspired by Dorothy’s journal. Also for kids at half-term is a make and play activity based on the garden. The museum is open 10 – 4, Tuesday to Saturday.

Historic Castles & Abbeys

Lowther Castle

• Brougham Castle opens daily from 15 – 23 February between 10 – 4. The ruins of the castle date back to 13^th century when it was built as a barrier against the Scots.
• Greystoke Castle has a fascinating history from links with Oliver Cromwell to being the setting of the novels Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The property is partially open to visitors with guided tours Wednesday to Sunday at 12, 1 and 2.
• Lowther Castle is a spectacular remains of a once very grand castle. Explore the interior and grounds, learn about the Castle’s historical past, have fun in the incredible children’s playground and walk around the extensive gardens. The castle is open daily between 10 – 4.
• Furness Abbey opens for February half-term from 15 – 23 February every day from 10 – 4.  In its heyday the 900-year-old Abbey was the largest and wealthiest monastery in the North West of England. Today its ruins are a unique insight into the monks who lived and worshiped there between the 12^th and 16^th centuries.

 

Museums

The Dock Musem

• Lakeland Motor Museum houses a variety of over 30,000 exhibits that follow the development of the transport industry in the 20^th century. There is also a quiz for kids to follow as they go around the museum. The museum is open daily until 4.30.
• Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK and boasts an unusual collection of natural history and archaeology plus a play area, shop and café.  The museum is open Thursday to Saturday from 9.30 – 4.30.
• Penrith & Eden Museum is a tiny yet intriguing museum that provides a fascinating insight into the local area.
• The Armitt Museum is a fascinating venue with a collection of books, records, photographs, artworks and other materials telling of live in Cumbria.  The museum has a vast collection of Beatrix Potter watercolours. The museum opens from Wednesday 12 February and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10.30 – 4.30.
• The Dock Museum tells the story Barrow’s maritime history and the people and industries that have shaped the area. A recent renovation has given the museum state-of-the-art interactive displays. There is also a fantastic children’s playground, quizzes for them to follow and a themed gallery. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 – 4.
• The Ruskin Museum is located in the heart of the picturesque village of Coniston,  and tells of the lives of those who have lived and worked here, including the UK’s first mountain rescue operation. Most recently the museum welcomed back Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7. The museum is currently open 10.30 – 2.30, Tuesday to Sunday.
• The Quaker Tapestry Museum is home to the Quaker Tapestry, a modern masterpiece crated by some 4,000 crafts people from around the world, to tell the story of Quaker life, people and events through the centuries.  Open Wednesday to Saturday throughout February and free to children. On 14 and 15 February there are also opportunities to join stained glass workshops. Pre-booking is required.
• Windermere Jetty Museum brings to life the history of boating on Windermere, which dates back some 200 years. Interactive displays, oral histories and a large collection of boats, gadgets and curiosities are to be explored. The museum is open daily from 10 – 4. Join storytelling sessions for families on 15, 19 & 22 February at 10.30 and 2.

Theatre, Music & Cinema

Rheged

• Kendal’s Brewery Arts is a multi-purpose venue where visitors can enjoy cinema, live musical, theatrical and comedic performances alongside an exhibition space and creative workshops.  The venue is open Wednesday to Saturday.
• Old Laundry Theatre is a unique venue located in what was once an old laundry and now seats up to 260 people.  February highlights include comedy thriller Four Funerals and a Wedding and Y Ddraig, a documentary following professional climber and elite walker Shane Ohly as he takes on an epic marathon from Cardiff to Conwy.
• Rheged is a fantastic all round ‘destination’ attraction with cinema, gallery, shops, cafés, meeting spaces and kids play area.  Until 16 March, the venue has a fascinating exhibition exploring the stories of Everest, its mountaineers and the links between the world’s highest peak and Cumbria.
• In Ulverston, The Coro plays host to all types of events from music and theatre to comedy and panto.  Highlights of the half-term calendar include 70s folk-rock music legends Lindisfarne and R&B acts Nine Below Zero and Dr Feelgood.

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