Top Things to do in Cumbria
Top Hotels in Cumbria
- 1. Riverside Hotel
- 2. Applegarth Villa Hotel and Restaurant (Adult Only)
- 3. Ambleside Salutation Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 4. The Keswick Country House Hotel
- 5. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 6. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
- 7. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 8. Damson Dene Hotel
- 9. The Wordsworth Hotel
- 10. Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, BW Premier Collection
What to do and see in Cumbria, England: The Best History Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Cumbria, United Kingdom including Graphite Gallery, Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, Penrith Museum, Keswick Museum, Hub Heritage & Transport Museum, Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Dent Village Museum and Heritage Centre, Helena Thompson Museum, Kendal Museum, Gleaston Water Mill.
Restaurants in Cumbria
1. Graphite Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Immerse yourself in Lake District History at the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry. Inside you can explore a typical Victorian farmers home from the food in the kitchen, to the elegance of the parlour. Other galleries tell the story of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the industrial history of this beautiful part of the world. Here you can discover the Lake District’s past in farming, mining, tanning, and many other ways that people have made a living amongst the fells. The Museum allows you to discover how people have lived in the Lake District and how the unique landscape has shaped their lives. You can also find out about Arthur Ransome, one of the Lake District’s most famous authors, and colourful characters. And why not stroll down the Victorian high street before you go to find out about the toys, food, and even medicines of the past. The Museum of Lakeland life is a must see for anyone interested in the history of this beautiful area, and with changing exhibitions looking at all aspects of Lakeland Life there will always be something new to discover.
Reviewed By S9879LVlindam
We loved everything about our visit to this local Museum. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful and the shop was well stocked.
3. Penrith Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By durham05 - Durham, United Kingdom
Always impressed with the displays here which are rotated on a regular basis. Small but quite a lot to see. Free admission as well.
4. Keswick Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Great exhibitions, activities and cafe in a glorious park setting by the river. Giant map, musical stones and loads for kids to do. Open daily 10-4
Reviewed By Kafferz
This was the first Museum I went into after the first lockdown and I couldn't have felt more safe. The volunteers were so welcoming. I loved learning about how Keswick and the lakes had inspired artists and writers over the centuries, plus the natural history of the region. There were loads of things for kids (big and small) to do-including the musical stones!
5. Hub Heritage & Transport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By rog05j86 - Alston, United Kingdom
The Hub is a superb attraction and well worth the visit. I wish I could say the same about Tripadvisor! What a total waste of space they are. They NEVER reply to emails.
6. Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 871 reviews
Reviewed By TurkeyTwizzlerMark - Sunderland, United Kingdom
Tullie house is a fantastic little museum, Roman section is excellent and very informative, the staff on reception desk are welcoming and very informative, interactive areas for children around the museum are well thought out and keep the children interested. Cafe is also worth a visit, I left my reading glasses in the cafe during my visit, rang the museum the following day and they posted them to my home address as we were heading home that day. All in all a informative museum with friendly and dedicated staff, well worth a visit.
7. Dent Village Museum and Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By I6569XTsimoneh
A lovely warm welcome from all the staff, who couldn't do enough for our group (4 adults and 5 children) and handled the extra challenges brought about by Covid 19 with aplomb. Our drinks, cakes and scones were all delicious and just what was needed for afternoon tea after a long walk along the river and through the fields into Dent from our holiday cottage. The museum and model railway downstairs were an extra treat.
8. Helena Thompson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By CumbrianLady2015 - Carlisle, United Kingdom
What a wonderful find! The Helena Thompson`museum was gifted to the town by a lady who was ahead of her times. It contains many local treasures and the man who showed us round was interesting, knowledgeable and passionate about Workington. We had previously visited the ruins of Workington Hall, ancestral home of the Curwen family, which is opposite the museum. So we were interested to find a scale model and many information boards about its building and the family's history. The Luck of Workington, a cup given to the family by Mary Queen of Scots, is displayed well. Every facet of Workington's history is displayed...Percy Kelly the artist, The story of the Steel Works and the Bessemer Converter, costumes, furniture, paintings, ship building, local industries...all most interesting! Our guide brought the house alive and we intend to return in the near future! There is the opportunity to have a hot drink and the museum has a diary of special events which involve afternoon tea. They also cater for weddings and special birthdays.
9. Kendal Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 118 reviews
Founded in 1796, Kendal Museum's fascinating collections include local and global archaeology, history, geology and natural history.
Reviewed By andrewp295 - Kilmacolm, United Kingdom
I went here with my two daughters and two nieces on a very wet day. Because of teh Covid-19 related restrictions in place we understandably had to go around in a pre-ordered way and certain activities were off limits, but this did not affect our enjoyment of the museum at all. So much on display, from geology to social history... and of course the natural history section including a dodo recreated from a genuine skeleton. The staff on duty were exceptionally helpful, including giving the girls a free book on the dodo, as well as very knowledgeable. While a small museum, it would be easy to spend a couple of hours there as the displays are so avried and there is a lot packed into the available space. It's excellent value for money.
