Make more of a trip to the Lake District, by enjoying a visit to the award winning Museum of Lakeland Life. Filled to the brim with objects, the Museum is housed in a converted stableblock, opposite Abbot Hall Art Gallery.

In 1973 the Museum was the first winner of the coveted 'Museum of the Year' award. The permanent collections include displays linked to the Arts and Crafts movement, 'Swallows and Amazons' author Arthur Ransome, and the Victorian period. There are also a variety of temporary displays, drawing on our wonderful costume collection which dates from the seventeenth century onwards. The Museum also has a programme of educational activities and events, which you can discover more about, on this site.

All the family will enjoy a visit to the Museum with a walk down an Edwardian street scene, and a visit to an eighteenth century kitchen! The Museum and its collections will fascinate, and give you a chance to learn a little more about the past of the lake District.

Temporary displays, largely drawn from our extensive costume collection will add to your visit - and the Museum also has a range of events, such as the craft demonstrations which take place during the Easter and Summer school holidays.

Families are warmly welcomed, and a trip to the Museum is always fun for children. Free worksheets can add to the visit - kids are kept busy, and learn more about history through objects. There are also a wide range of kids' activities to keep children happy in the school holidays.

The Museum of Lakeland Life is managed by The Lakeland Arts Trust (charity no. 526980) which also runs Abbot Hall Art Gallery on the same site, and Blackwell the Arts and Crafts House ten miles away at Bowness-on-Windermere.

SWALLOWS & AMAZONS

Following the sailing exploits and adventures of a group of children, Swallows and Amazons was written by the author Arthur Ransome, and is a tribute to his life long love affair with the Lakes.

Our Ransome room is filled with artefacts belonging to the author, including his desk, flags, and many books. Copies of his sketchbook illustrate the way he created his stories - what better way to find out more about the author, and the Lakeland sites he based his novels on.

The Museum is also the Registered office of the Arthur Ransome Society (TARS) - which has branches all over the country - and is a tribute to the continuing popularity of this Lakeland author.

Our shop stocks many of the books by Arthur Ransome as well as biographies of the author.

OPENING TIMES & ADMISSION FOR 2007

The Museum of Lakeland Life is open Monday - Saturday 10.30 am to 4.00 pm
(From April to October we stay open until 5.00 pm).
We are open between 16 January and 21 December 2007
The Museum is closed on Sundays.

Season Tickets start from as little as £7.00 for children and students in full-time education. Please enquire at the Gallery desk.

Excellent value rates for groups of over 10 people.