Museums in the Lake District
Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal, now transformed into a combination museum and art gallery. The art gallery is one of the best in Britain, with works by Romney, Ruskin, Turner, and Constable. Also at Abbot Hall is the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry. Well worth a visit.
Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA9 5AL
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Housed in a building that was once the office of the author's husband, the museum offers changing exhibits of original watercolour illustrations and sketches from her stories.
Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, England, LA22 0NS
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Brantwood is one of the premier visitor attractions in the Coniston area. This rambling house overlooking Coniston Water was the home of John Ruskin, one of the most influential writers, poets, and philosophers of the Victorian era. Ruskin lived at Brantwood from 1872 until his death in 1900, and the house is filled with the writer's personal belongings, artwork, and furniture. There are superb terraced gardens surrounding the house, and the regular steam gondola service from Coniston stops at the pier below the house.
Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA21 8AD
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The Guildhall stands in the historic market place of Carlisle. The timber-framed building dates to the 14th century, and in common with most medieval buildings of the period, the upper storeys jut out over the ground floor. Each of Carlisle's 8 merchant guilds had a separate meeting area in the hall. Each guild room has displays on the history of the city and that particular guild.
Fisher St, Carlisle, Cumbria, England, CA3 8JE
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This listed Georgian House is home to exhibits of contemporary paintings, sculpture, ceramics jewellery and glass. Outside the gallery is a walled sculpture garden.
Castlegate, Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, CA13 9HA
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The Dock Museum is built in and around a historic 19th-century dry dock. The museum tells the fascinating story of Barrow and its shipyard, with a wealth of historical objects including the Furness Hoard of Viking coins.
North Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, LA14 2PW
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Heritage Highlight: Located in a 19th-century dry dock
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Museum: Wordworth's best years were spent in this delightfully well-preserved cottage by the shores of Grasmere. Excellent guided tours, and the museum is replete with memorabilia, portraits, and writings by the famous poet. There are special exhibitions throughout the year.
Grasmere, Cumbria, England, LA22 9SH
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Housed in a building constructed for this very purpose in 1897, the Keswick Museum tells the story of the town and the area. Everyone knows about the incredible scenery, but did you know the first pencils were invented here? Not to mention a 500-year-old cat and Napoleon's teacup.
Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria, England, CA12 4NF
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Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald set 21 world speed records on land and sea. This musem uses video, photos, and scale models to tell the story of this remarkable father and son team.
Old Blue Mill, Backbarrow, Ulverston, Cumbria, England, LA12 8TA
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Heritage Highlight: Donald Campbell exhibition
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The Laurel and Hardy Museum is housed in a 1937 Art Deco cinema and features the largest collection of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia in the world. Stan Laurel was born in nearby Argyl Street in 1890 and spent his childhood in Ulverston. See family photos, film-worn costumes and watch classic comedy shorts.
The Roxy, Brogden Street, Ulverston, Cumbria, England, LA12 7AH
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Heritage Highlight: A wealth of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia
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