Tourist Information
Castles
Close to Irton Hall is Muncaster Castle. This historical castle, gardens, owl centre, play area, gift shops, picnic area, Victorian summer garden, nature trail and orienteering course and plant centre. Situated on the A595 east of Ravenglass. Gardens and owl centre are open daily 11.00am to 6.00pm. Castle opens Sunday to Friday 12.30pm - 4.00pm March to October.
Appleby Castle is open from Easter to September 10.00am to 5.oopm. It has a beautiful riverside setting with a collection of rare British farm animals and birds, of the finest Norman Keeps in the country, gift shop, cafe, tea rooms, picnic areas and Tarzan trail.
Brougham Castle a 13th Century fortress and keep restored by Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th Century. Located on the A66 2 miles east of Penrith. Open daily 10.00am - 6.00pm April to October.
Leighton Hall, Carnforth is a Castellated hall in natural parkland. Maze, birds of prey flights, tea rooms, gift shop. Open May to September 2.00pm - 5.00pm. Closed Monday and Saturday.
Lancaster Castle is open Good Friday to September 10.30am - 4.00pm, 7 days a week (when the courts are not in session.)
Carlisle Castel has medieval dungeons and Norman keep, exhibition of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite rising. Once home to Mary Queen of Scots. Open April to September 9.30am - 6.00pm.
Museums
Rayrigg Road, Windermere. Open Easter to October inclusive, 10am - 5pm. Steam launch displays and trips. Photographs, shop, refreshments. A good wet weather attraction.
Museum of Lake and Life and Industry
This museum shows how our Cumbrian ancestors lived, worked and entertained themselves over the last three hundred years. Exhibits include a typical street scene with shops and workshops, costumes and embroideries. Lectures, craft demonstrations and courses including rag rug making, lace making and basket making. Open every day February to December 10.30am - 5pm. Situated in the grounds of Abbot Hall in Kendal town Centre.
Cars of the Stars Motor Museum
Featuring TV and film vehicles from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, James Bond, Batman, Herbie and Thunderbirds, plus film set displays. Standish Street Keswick. Open 7 days 10am- 5pm Easter to New Year.
Lakeland Motor Museum
A nostalgic reminder of transport and horticultural bygones appealing to all ages. A unique private collection of vehicles, cars, bikes, including the Campbell Legend, Bluebird Exhibition located at Holker and Gardens, 15 minutes from Newby Bridge on B5278 near Grange over sands. Open April to October 6 days (not Saturday) 10.30am - 4.45pm.
Cumberland Pencil Museum
A journey through the history of pencil making including the history of graphite mining and video shows of pencil making and artistic techniques. Brass rubbing and childrens drawing corner. Southey Works, Greta Bridge, Keswick of the A66 to Cockermouth. Open 9.30am - 4pm. Tel: 017687 73626.
Wythop Mill Embleton Woodworking Museum.
Vintage woodworking tools and machinery powered by an overshot waterwheel. Victorian kitchen, wheel-wright and blacksmiths displays. Local history exhibition of Wythop showing aspects of village life over the last 2000 years. Open Easter to October 6 days (closed Mondays) 10.30am - 5.30pm. Half a mile off A66 between Keswick and Cockermouth.
Threkeld Quarry & Mining Museum
The museum of Lakeland's industrial, quarrying and mining heritage, a working quarry until 1982. Located off the A66 three miles from Keswick. Open 11.00am - 4.45pm Easter to October, (not Thursdays.) Tel: 017687 72645.
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
Hands-on activities, visitor mine, waterwheels, woodland walks. Open daily April to October 10.30am - 5pm. Please wear warm waterproof clothing and sensible footwear. Located on A689 between Alston and Cowshill. Tel: 01388 537505.
Also close by is the Muncaster Water Mill, at Ravensglass. Muncaster Water Mill has been producing flour since at least 1455. The mill is still operating using 19th centry machinery to produce organic stoneground flour. You can take a tour of the mill and purchase their products.
Art Galleries
Abbot Hall Art Gallery is and elegang Georgian house on the bank of the River Kent, containing classical and modern art collections, plus temporary exhibitions. Kirkland, Kendal. Open every day February to December. 10.30am - 5.00pm.
Beckstones Art Gallery is a specialist art gallery exhibiting original works by up to 40 of the nation's top artists. Situated in a small hamlet, 3 miles west of Penrith signposted off the A66 to Keswick. Open every day 10.00am - 6.00 March to October, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm the rest of the year.
Pendragon Gallery, Fat Lamb Inn at Ravonstonedale. Spring, Summer and Autumn exhibitions by local artists, photographers and crafts people.
Gardens
Levens Hall is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th century pele tower with award winning gardens laid out in 1694, with topiary gardens. A working steam collection with Bertha the engine on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Childrens adventure playground. Open Sunday to Thursday, April to October. 10.00am - 5.00pm. 5 minutes from the M6, exit 36, 5 miles south of Kendal on the A6.
Holker Hall was once owned by the Dukes of Devonshire and is now home to Lord & Lady Cavendish. The gardens have won national awards and are classed as amongst the best in the world. There is a 125 acre deer park, adventure playground, and picnic area. Holker Hall is situated at Cark-in-Cartmel, near Grange-over-Sands, South Lakeland.