Kendal Museum

About the museum

Kendal Museum traces its origins to 1796, when William Todhunter began to show a collection of fossils, plants, minerals, animals and antiques. In 1835 the Kendal Literary and Scientific Society took over the collection, whose members included well-known scientists of the day, and the museum had to move several times as the collection grew. Money problems in the early 1900s forced the sale of some objects, and the remainder was offered to the town.

In 1913 a former wool warehouse on Station Road was offered to the town council as a home for the museum, and after the First World War the collections moved into it. A series of honorary curators looked after the museum for the council, among them the fellwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright, who gave 30 years of his spare time to the collections.

Today the Kendal and Westmorland Gallery presents the region's history from the Neolithic period through Roman times to the twentieth century, with a display about Wainwright, Roman finds from Watercrook Fort and a Viking boat from Kentmere Tarn. The World Wildlife Gallery holds natural history and world geology collections, including a polar bear that arrived in 1947, but is closed for conservation work. The museum also has a geology and fossil collection and a gallery for local art.

Highlights

• Roman finds from Watercrook Fort near Kendal
• Viking boat from Kentmere Tarn
• Display on the fellwalker Alfred Wainwright
• World Wildlife Gallery with a polar bear and other mounted animals (closed for conservation)
• Geology and fossil collection

Permanent exhibitions

• Kendal and Westmorland Gallery – The history of the region from the Neolithic period through Roman times to the twentieth century, with a Wainwright display, Roman finds, a Viking boat and Egyptian objects.
• World Wildlife Gallery – Natural history and world geology collections arranged by region, with mammals, birds and insects; currently closed for conservation work.

Founded

1796

Operated by

Kendal College

Admission & discounts

Prices are those listed with the temporary opening times. Special events have their own prices, for example £6 to £10.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is step-free access to all parts of the museum. The step-free entrance is to the left of the main entrance; visitors ring the bell and a member of staff will help. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome, and there is space to store buggies, wheelchairs and bags during a visit. Some event rooms are reached only by a staircase and are not suitable for wheelchair users; this is stated for individual events.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

A play area near the seating has toys, dressing-up costumes, books and a historic rocking horse, and worksheets and colouring sheets are provided. Some exhibits can be handled or played, such as a rock xylophone. Seasonal trails and activities run during school holidays, and the toilet has baby changing facilities.

Getting there & parking

There is a bike rack by the front door.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A comfortable seating area serves hot and cold drinks but no food. The gift shop sells books, local artwork, crystals, fossils, museum merchandise and confectionery.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A basement room with projector, lighting and sound system is available for meetings, talks and exhibitions. The Trading Hall above the museum is being refurbished as a community space.

Plan your visit