Museums in Cumbria

The Ruskin Museum, The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, Cumbria, LA21 8DU - Visit now

The Ruskin Museum tells the story of Coniston in Cumbria – a place of copper mines and slate quarries, Swallows & Amazons country where Beatrix Potter owned farms and Stone Age fell walkers once dwelled.

The Wordsworth Museum, The Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH - Visit now

Next door to Dove Cottage, Wordsworth’s first family home, is the Wordsworth Museum, which houses an unsurpassed collection of the Wordsworths’ letters, journals and poems.

Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Abbot Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL - Visit now

The Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry tells the story of how the unique landscape in the Lake District has shaped the lives of its inhabitants, tracing historic farming, mining and tanning practices as well as showcasing a typical Victorian farm house and high street.

Hill Top, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF - Visit now

Beatrix Potter bought Hill Top in 1905 with the proceeds from her first book; the 17th century farmhouse has since been turned into a time-capsule of her life, surrounded by a lovely cottage garden.

Tullie House, Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TP - Visit now

Carlisle in Cumbria’s principal museum and gallery, with strong collections, exhibitions and activities.