Let's Go Culture - Venues

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Galleries

Abbot Hall

This vibrant cultural hub is located on the banks of the river Kent in Kendal. The gallery holds an exceptional collection of 18th - 21st century fine art and hosts a regular series of major temporary exhibitions.

EVAN Gallery & Studio

Exhibiting the work of over 40 local artists in the historic market town of Penrith, The Evan Gallery is the perfect place to buy an original work of art. There are three exhibition spaces to explore.

The Heaton Cooper Studio

Established by the famous Lakeland landscape painter Alfred Heaton Cooper in 1905, the Heaton Cooper Studio exhibits original works of art, limited edition prints and sculptures. Located in the heart of Grasmere there is also an art shop and creative space to enjoy.

Rheged

Rheged’s spacious gallery plays host to four major exhibitions year. It showcases the work of local, national and international artists and photographers. Smaller gallery spaces regularly feature the work of Cumbrian artists, and the programme of creative courses covers everything from watercolour painting to weaving.

The People’s Gallery – Kendal Museum

Housed in a former wool warehouse The People's Gallery at Kendal Museum showcases the work of leading regional and local artists. Open Thursday to Saturday (09.30 to 16.30).

Farfield Mill

Set inside a restored Victorian woollen mill, Farfield Mill’s galleries host a changing programme of art and craft exhibitions. See resident artists and craft producers at work and buy their work in the craft gallery and mill shop. Open Wednesday and Sunday (10.30 to 16:00).

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Heritage & Crafts

Brougham Hall

Home to a community of artisans, who make and sell their work on site, Brougham Hall is a fascinating place to visit. The site that has been fortified and settled since medieval times, and a large part of the historic hall has now been restored. 

Farfield Mill

Built in 1836 as a spinning and weaving mill, Farfield Mill offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the industrial heritage of the region. Today the mill is also home to weavers and artisans, and you can buy their wares in the craft gallery and mill shop. Open Wednesday and Sunday (10.30 to 16:00).

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

The Lake District has a rich industrial heritage and Stott Park offers a unique opportunity to visit the regions last working bobbin mill. See the journey from tree to bobbin first hand during production on the original belt driven machinery.

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Historical Attractions

Acorn Bank

Acorn Bank is a tranquil haven in the heart of the Eden Valley. A 17th-century sandstone manor stands on a site originally established by the Knights Templar around 800 years ago. Today you can visit the spacious unfurnished entrance hall of the house and explore the beautiful gardens and parkland.

Allan Bank

Allan Bank was once home to National Trust co-founder Canon Rawnsley and poet William Wordsworth. The historic villa combines a small, informal art gallery with a giant indoor mural space. Its hillside location enjoys stunning Lakeland views over the lakes and vale so loved by Wordworth.

Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house

Designed by architect Mackay Huge Bailie Scott, Blackwell is one of England’s finest examples of an Arts & Crafts house. It is a rare architectural gem and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.

Brantwood

John Ruskin lived at Brantwood overlooking Coniston water from 1871 to 1900. The historic house is now a registered museum and vibrant centre for the arts, hosting art and craft exhibitions throughout the year.

Brantwood, Coniston

Hill Top

Beatrix Potter used the profits from her first illustrated books – including The Tale of Peter Rabbit – to buy Hill Top Farm in 1905. It is a perfectly preserved time capsule, full of her favourite items, offering a fascinating insight into her life.

Swarthmoor Hall

Swarthmoor Hall is known as the cradle of Quakerism as it was here in 1652 that the Quaker movement was formed. A heritage conservation programme has ensured visitors can enjoy discovering the story of this historic hall and early years of the Quaker movement.

Townend

Once home to the Browne family, who lived in the house for over 400 years, Townend is a beautiful example of traditional Lakeland Farmhouse. Step back in time to the 17^th century and enjoy the period features of the house and beautiful cottage garden. Open Tuesday to Friday.

Wordsworth Grasmere

In the village of Grasmere, you will find Wordsworth Grasmere and Dove Cottage. The modern museum sits alongside the traditional Dove Cottage and gardens, where William Wordsworth created some of his best-known works and Dorothy kept her famous Grasmere journals.

Wordsworth Grasmere
 

Wray

Set in beautiful parkland on the shores of Windermere, Wray is a Gothic revival castle run by the National Trust. However, it is not a typical National Trust property as it came to the Trust unfurnished. The light spacious empty rooms make it the ideal location for staging exhibitions.

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Historic Houses

Holker Hall & Gardens

Set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland Holker Hall is an elegant family home. Explore the grand formal spaces and cosy informal rooms as you uncover the history of the house and the people who have lived here.

Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House

Enjoying a stunning location on the northern edge of the Lake District, this fascinating house has been in the same family since 1605 and is thought to date back as early as the 13^th or 14^th century, making it one of the most historic houses and gardens in Cumbria.

Levens Hall & Gardens

Levens Hall is an impressive Grade I Listed Elizabethan mansion built around a 13thC Pele tower. It is a treasure trove of a house, with impressive period features and displays of fascinating items. Equally impressive are the hall’s topiary gardens, which are famous for being the oldest in the world.

Lowther Castle & Gardens

The impressive ruins of Lowther Castle lie just a few miles south of Penrith. Learn about the castle’s fascinating past by visiting the story of Lowther exhibition before exploring the castle ruins and extensive gardens. A huge adventure playground offers hours of fun for younger visitors.

Sizergh Castle

Built by the Strickland family in 1350 Sizergh Castle is now managed by the National Trust. The medieval manor house is filled with thousands of items collected by 26 generations of one family. Venture outside and explore the beautifully maintained gardens and estate.

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Historic Sites

Brougham Castle

The ruins of this medieval castle sit in a picturesque setting besides the river of Eden - a picture of tranquillity. However, the castle’s 13^th century origins are anything but tranquil as it was built to withstand Scottish invaders during the time of the border revivers! Brougham proved to be a formidable barrier and welcomed Edward I in 1300.

Furness Abbey

Founded in 1123 Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire. Discover the history of abbey, and view finds from archaeological excavations, in the visitor centre before exploring the impressive ruins.

Lowther Castle & Gardens

The impressive ruins of Lowther Castle lie just a few miles south of Penrith. Learn about the castle’s fascinating past by visiting the story of Lowther exhibition before exploring the castle ruins and extensive gardens, which have been beautifully restored.

Jump to: Galleries, Heritage & Crafts, Historical Attractions, Historic Houses, Historic Sites, Museums, Theatre & Arts Venues

Museums

Hawkshead Grammar School

Founded in 1585, Hawkshead Grammar School was once considered one of the best schools in the north of England. William Wordsworth was educated here from the age of 9 to 17 - sit at the desk where he carved his name as you take in the atmosphere of the old school building.

Kendal Museum

Founded in 1796, Kendal Museum is one of the UK’s oldest museums and houses important treasures and archaeological discoveries from the local area. Discover several internationally recognised collections, including natural history, geology and herbarium collections, along with the largest taxidermy collection in Europe!

Lakeland Motor Museum

A nostalgic day out for all the family awaits at Lakeland Motor Museum. In addition to an impressive collection of classic cars and motorcycles special displays include Campbell Bluebird exhibition, celebrating the record-breaking history of the Campbell family, and Lake District Industrial heritage.

Penrith & Eden Museum

Located in the old Robinson’s School building, The Penrith and Eden Museum features permanent displays and revolving exhibitions with ever changing displays of cultural and historical interest.

Quaker Tapestry Museum

Home to the Quaker Tapestry, an amazing piece of artwork created by approximately 4,000 global crafts people. Although the full tapestry consists of 77 panels, the museum regularly displays around 40 in total, each of which depicts the story of Quaker life. Discover the Quakers’ origins and their impact on society over the last 350 years.

The Armitt Museum

The Armitt is a museum, art gallery and library. It is packed full of unusual objects relating to life, from Roman times to the 20^th century, in Ambleside and the surrounding area. View beautiful works of art by Kurt Schwitters and Beatrix Potters’ detailed watercolours of fungi. The Armitt changes its exhibitions and displays every year, so there is always something new to see.

The Dock Museum

This fun museum is packed with things to do. Discover the story of shipbuilding in Barrow-in-Furness and travel back in time to the age of the Vikings! Even the building is unusual as the modern museum is bult over a historic nineteenth century dock! Outside there is an adventure playground and outdoor theatre area.

The Ruskin Museum

In Coniston, The Ruskin Museum tells The Story of Coniston in an award-winning style with exhibitions centred around a number of local icons including John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome. In March 2024, Bluebird, Donald Campbell's iconic hydroplane returned to Coniston to take up its forever home in the Bluebird wing of the museum.

Bluebird at The Ruskin Museum, Coniston
 

Windermere Jetty Museum

A modern vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. Enjoy a cruise on a beautifully restored heritage boat from the museum collection.

Wordsworth Grasmere

Discover the former home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth at Wordsworth Grasmere. Here, you can explore their home, Dove Cottage, and visit the modern Museum, which exhibits handwritten manuscripts, letters, published poetry and personal items. There are plenty of fun things to do, with creative spaces for children to enjoy craft activities.

Theatre & Arts Venues

Brewery Arts

Housed in a beautiful old building, once a working brewery, Brewery Arts in Kendal is a premier hub for contemporary culture. Enjoy live theatre, cinema, art exhibitions and creative courses all under one roof.

The Old Laundry Theatre

A fantastic programme of live music and theatre is on offer at The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-in-Windermere. From Alan Ayckbourn plays to standup performances by famous comedians, this intimate venue is the perfect place to catch a show.

The Forum

The Forum in Barrow-in-Furness boasts a rich entertainment programme packed with music, comedy and drama. With a mix of internationally renowned performers and talented local amateur groups, there is something to suit all ages and interests.
 

Join us, make lasting memories, and immerse yourself in our rich arts, heritage and culture.

Don’t forget to share your experiences #LetsGoCulture

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Westmorland and Furness Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus