Keswick Museum

Keswick Museum We have been located in Fitz park since the building's first opening in 1898. Sharing the stories of life in the Keswick area through time.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
The Keswick Museum and Art Gallery in Cumbria was founded in 1873 and had a number of temporary homes as it grew, including the Moot Hall in Keswick town centre. A building was purpose built for it, in Fitz Park, partly as a memorial to the Hewetson brothers; distinguished Keswick benefactors, and to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria. It remains the o

nly purpose-built museum in the county. The two original galleries were the Main Gallery and the Model Gallery, the latter built especially for Flintoft's famous model. The building work started in 1897 and the Grand Opening was on Easter Monday, April 11, 1898. The 'Picture Gallery' was added later, through the energies of Canon Rawnsley, a Museum Trustee and one of the founders of the National Trust. It opened in July 1906 with its first exhibition held by The Lake Artists Society.

It is heating up outside, but it is lovely and cool here inside the museum. If you want to experience the summit of a mo...
23/06/2026

It is heating up outside, but it is lovely and cool here inside the museum.

If you want to experience the summit of a mountain here in the Lakes but it’s too hot to make the trek you can enjoy the views virtually in our "Outside In" exhibition.

Bring the whole family to:

Explore virtual reality experiences inspired by iconic fells and landscapes.

Interact with our augmented reality game based on Keswick’s heritage.

Experience large-scale projections of the Lake District.

Enjoy stunning aerial tours of the surrounding landscape.

Peak views, less heat!

Find out more and plan your visit on our website. We are open 10-4 each day.

Let us know what you are doing to beat the heat! ⛰️

https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/outside-in-exhibition-keswick-museum-things-to-do/

With Summer Solstice upon us we thought we would tell you all about Keswick’s own stone circle. Whilst not as famous as ...
21/06/2026

With Summer Solstice upon us we thought we would tell you all about Keswick’s own stone circle.

Whilst not as famous as Stonehenge, it is thought to be older.

Castlerigg is estimated to have been constructed around 3200 BC during the late Neolithic (Stone Age) or early Bronze Age. This makes it roughly 5,000 years old, predating the famous standing stones at Stonehenge by several hundred years.

It is such a beautiful place. Have you been? We would love to see your photos.

July is nearly upon us (No we don’t know how it has come around so quickly either!) On July 5th, our museum team will on...
20/06/2026

July is nearly upon us (No we don’t know how it has come around so quickly either!)

On July 5th, our museum team will once again join English Heritage at Castlerigg Stone Circle as part of a Festival of Archaeology.

An English Heritage Volunteer Guide will inspire you with words & art from past visitors to this ancient and awesome site.

Bring a pen and paper (and perhaps a snack and something to sit on) and spend some time creating your own personal record of your visit, it could be maybe a poem or a picture, to share at the end of the session.

All ages welcome!

Find out more: https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/event/art-words-around-the-stones/

The reviews are in! You loved working from our Crosthwaite room so much we have now opened up weekend bookings too for p...
18/06/2026

The reviews are in! You loved working from our Crosthwaite room so much we have now opened up weekend bookings too for people who don’t work the regular 9-5!

Book a desk in our shared workspace on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, just minutes from Keswick town centre. Enjoy serene views of the Lower Fitz Park and surrounding fells as you work, plus all the facilities you'll need included in one daily rate.

☑️ Stable Wi-Fi connection

☑️ Tea and coffee facilities

☑️ Convenient adjoining toilets

☑️ Plenty of sockets to charge your devices

☑️ Book your slot online and drop in anytime between 10am-4pm

☑️ Cafe West just next door for a quick coffee or lunch

☑️ Exclusive room hire available for meetings

If you are ready to update your ‘work from home’ day visit our website for details and to book then SHARE with whoever you want to be your office buddy!

https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/visit/room-hire/co-working-space/

Join us for Keswick Museum Lates Ready to make the most of the glorious summer evenings we’ve been having? We’re extendi...
17/06/2026

Join us for Keswick Museum Lates

Ready to make the most of the glorious summer evenings we’ve been having? We’re extending our Museum opening hours on Mondays and Thursdays starting June 29th and right through July.

So now you’ll have until well into the evening to enjoy our galleries at your own pace.

Online booking is available. Do visit our website for details

The best news? If you have visited us before there's free entry for annual pass holders.

Tag whoever you’ll be visiting the museum with below.

Find out more:
https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/event/keswick-museum-lates-experience-the-lakes-in-a-new-light/

Dad, Mum, Carer of Under 5s? Looking for a fun, interactive morning for your little ones? Bring them along to Stay and D...
15/06/2026

Dad, Mum, Carer of Under 5s? Looking for a fun, interactive morning for your little ones? Bring them along to Stay and Discover.

Every Wednesday at 10am during term time, Becky, Steve and Digby host an hour of exploration, creativity, and fun designed to spark young imaginations.

Here is what you can look forward to:
Interactive stories that bring tales to life
Catchy songs to sing along to
Learning our sign of the week
Fun activities and time to explore the museum

Booking is required! Places are limited, so make sure to secure your spot before heading over.

For more information and to book your place, visit our website: https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/event/stay-and-discover-with-becky-cole-and-digby-days/

This week we have caught a rare moment. An empty bench at Friars Crag! Catching this spot without a soul on it feels lik...
14/06/2026

This week we have caught a rare moment. An empty bench at Friars Crag!

Catching this spot without a soul on it feels like winning the lottery. Just look at that view over Derwentwater!

It got us thinking. If you could grab a seat here and share this exact view with any person from history, living or dead, who would it be, and what would you talk about?

Would you talk poetry with William Wordsworth, gossip about the Lakes with Beatrix Potter, or just chat about life with someone completely different?

Let us know in the comments 👇

You can also see the views of the Lakes without the walks in our exhibition Outside In.

13/06/2026

Something a little baa-rilliant has been happening at Keswick Museum... 👀🐑

Not content with featuring in our amazing Outside In exhibition, the puppet sheep loaned to us from by the Lake have decided to explore the rest of the museum!

From curious encounters to woolly wanderings, they’ve been having quite the adventure among the exhibits!

Have you visited Outside In yet? Come along and discover the stories, landscapes and creativity inspired by the world beyond our walls.

https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/outside-in-exhibition-keswick-museum-things-to-do/

What’s your plan for tomorrow? Working from home as it’s looking far too wet for a commute?  Or maybe you’re coming to K...
11/06/2026

What’s your plan for tomorrow? Working from home as it’s looking far too wet for a commute? Or maybe you’re coming to Keswick for the weekend.

If you’re needing to work, come and spend your Friday with us by booking a desk here at the museum.

How’s your Friday looking? Working from home but dreaming of the Lakes? Why not work from the museum instead.

Whether you’re a local wanting a change or you’re planning a weekend in Keswick, come and work with a view!

Book a desk in our shared workspace on Fridays, just minutes from Keswick town centre. Enjoy serene views of the Lower Fitz Park and surrounding fells as you work, plus all the facilities you'll need included in one daily rate.

☑️ Stable Wi-Fi connection

☑️ Tea and coffee facilities

☑️ Convenient adjoining toilets

☑️ Plenty of sockets to charge your devices

☑️ Book your slot online and drop in anytime between 10am-4pm

☑️ Cafe West just next door for a quick coffee or lunch

☑️ Exclusive room hire available for meetings

Visit our website for details and SHARE with whoever you want to be your office buddy!

https://keswickmuseum.org.uk/visit/room-hire/co-working-space/

Today at Stay and Discover we learnt all about Barry, who is a fish with fingers who saved the day. We heard that last t...
10/06/2026

Today at Stay and Discover we learnt all about Barry, who is a fish with fingers who saved the day.

We heard that last time we made fish with fingers our friend Lily managed to lose hers and was sad, so it was Steve’s turn to save the day today.

He has found Lily’s fish swimming around the museum, so if you know Lily or her grown ups please let them know her fish is safe with Barry and she can pick it up next week!

If you have any guesses how a fish with fingers can save the day we would love to hear it below! 🐟

Address

Station Road
Keswick
CA124NF

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+441768773263

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