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Here’s some ideas for summer days out – and in! What ever the Cumbrian weather brings we can satisfy the most curious, the adventurous and the creative amongst you. With a little planning you can get the very best out of a day exploring Cumbria’s Living Heritage.
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Share your love of heritage in Cumbria and forward this newsletter to a friend.
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If you really want to understand a place and get a sense of its people – visit the local museum and learn more about the people who called Cumbria home.
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Affectionately known as MOLLI to those who know The Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry well, MOLLI is like an old friend – full of stories and memories of the past – lovely to visit and spend a little time with. And, get all the latest news!
As well as displays explaining the area’s complex heritage of farming, mining and shoemaking MOLLI’s current exhibition is about one of Cumbria’s oldest friends – The Wezzy Gezzy - From Wordsworth to the Web: 200 Years of the Westmorland Gazette. The Westmorland Gazette has been the definitive voice of the Lake District and has served the community for 200 years recording life in the Lakes with stories of its people and places since the 23rd May 1818. The exhibition considers the influence legends like William Wordsworth had on shaping the paper. It would be a great place to start.
MOLLI is situated over the courtyard from Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal. You can discover more about Wordsworth at Dove Cottage, Grasmere and Wordsworth House, Cockermouth.
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The Armitt, in the heart of Ambleside, is a special, often missed place – a unique combination of museum, library and gallery. In a year when we celebrate woman’s suffrage The Armitt have mounted an exhibition ‘A Women’s Place: Ambleside’s Feminist Legacy’, to recognise that Ambleside was (and still is) the home of a number of internationally influential women. Amongst them was Beatrix Potter, one of the Armitt’s early supporters, and their collection holds a number of her family’s books as well as her personal first editions of the ‘little’ books and a large number of exquisite botanical watercolours. Notable as an example of a Victorian woman who resolved to live her life on her own terms, Beatrix Potter continues to be an inspiration to many women.
You can learn more about Beatrix Potter at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life and The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead.
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Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life in Carlisle Castle continue their summer activities programme with events that are linked to The Remembrance 100 Open Art Exhibition which runs until 2 September featuring works by local artists.
Holiday creative drop in sessions run every Wednesday during the school holidays between 11am and 3pm. Workshops will use the objects from the collection to explore the meaning of remembrance and what it means to you and create content for their installation at the Museum leading up to International Peace Day on 21 September.
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The Ruskin Museum was established by John Ruskin's secretary and biographer WG Collingwood, who wanted to create a space that would serve as a memorial to the artist. The museum is now a thought-provoking ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’, crammed full of wonderful objects and paintings, which introduces Coniston's rich cultural and literary heritage from the first Stone Age fell-walkers, who made and traded stone axes, to the Jet Era when the 1950s speed ace Donald Campbell used Coniston Water as Bluebird K7’s race-track.
Brantwood, Ruskin’s former home is just 10 minutes away. Visit both to really understand the stunning Coniston area. Discover more about Donald Campbell at the Lakeland Motor Museum.
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Swarthmoor Hall, a 16th century country house set in beautiful gardens and grounds, has a special story to tell - Swarthmoor Hall is known as the cradle of Quakerism. In 1652, Judge Thomas Fell and his wife Margaret provided protection and hospitality for early Quakers, notably George Fox, one of the founders of Quakerism. The Hall became headquarters for the movement. Today visitors comment on its sense of place – of the people who have lived here, its tranquillity and beauty. The historic, peaceful and beautiful setting of the Hall continues to provide a very special environment for all. No ticket is needed to stroll through the gardens and grounds, which are open every day (during daylight hours).
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Built on shipping and mining with over 250 Listed buildings, many Georgian, Whitehaven has an intriguing heritage. Situated on the west coast of Cumbria, it was the last place in Britain to be attacked by American naval forces, had the deepest undersea mine in England, has a church described by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as the ‘finest Georgian interior in England’ and is home to The Rum Story – the dark spirit of Whitehaven. Here, set in the original shop and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family business you can find out about the story of the UK rum trade, which originally centred on the port of Whitehaven – and take a tipple home with you – with a miniature bottle of Jefferson's Dark Rum with every full price admission (over 18’s only!)
While you are exploring the historic west coast make sure you see Muncaster Castle just a mile away from the coastal hamlet of Ravenglass.
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As you can see, when it comes to museums in Cumbria, you are really spoilt for choice. Within our museums you can be discover the rich tapestry of Cumbrian life and all our secrets. So, plan your visit carefully and don’t miss a single episode.
There are lots of ideas for inspirational days out on the Cumbria's Living Heritage website.
Enjoy your days out in a World Heritage Site recognised for its cultural landscape.
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