Great for wet weather rainy days, the Lake District has some fascinating museums and galleries showing the rich and varied lives of the people who have lived and worked here.
There are also some inspiring historical houses, many with collections and art work to see.
Hear tales of workers and boat owners, their lives and adventures, and discover the fascinating developments in design and technology that drove boat-building in the Lake District. Stunning views over the lake from the cafe.
Location: Central Lake District, in Windermere.
Rayrigg Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1BN
The museum, in the centre of Coniston village, tells the story of Coniston 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.
Visit Dove Cottage, the home of famous Romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy and allow yourself to be transported back to a time when iconic writing was created within its walls. The contemporary Museum explores William’s life, work and fascinating objects from the time including paintings and prints, with plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. Also onsite is a Café, the Garden-Orchard and Woodland, and changing exhibitions in the Museum Gallery and Community Space.
Location: Central Lake District, Grasmere.
Wordsworth Grasmere, Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH
Changing exhibitions from national and international artists, as well as local portrait artist George Romney, the permanent collection is mainly eighteenth and twentieth-century British paintings. The gallery has been adding contemporary British works to its collection.
Location: South of the Lake District, in Kendal.
Kirkland, Kendal LA9 5AL
Tour a small craft brewery in the scenic Lake District.
Devoted to film stars Stan Laurel and Olly Hardy in Ulverston, birthplace of Stan.
Book tickets for the Laurel and Hardy Museum
