Cumberland Pencil Museum

Visit Keswick, in the Lake District, the home of the first pencil, and the Cumberland Pencil Company, the home of pencil perfection since 1832.

Enter the Museum through a replica of the Seathwaite mine where graphite was first discovered 350 years ago. Through words, pictures and carefully restored machinery you can trace the history of pencil making and see how we make Derwent Fine Art pencils today. A quiz for children makes the whole visit an adventure and discovery. The video theatre shows two presentations, and be amazed at the Worlds Longest Pencil. Other displays demonstrate the uses of pencils, with helpful hints and tips for budding artists. There is a children's area where they can “have a go” with different pencils and crayons and a shop that sells the full range of Derwent pencils.

Opening Times: - 9.30am - 4pm Last admission 7 days a week
Closed 25th and 26th December and 1st January
Special rates for groups and coach parties

The Museum is an all weather activity for all the family, free demo's start at 10am and run until 4pm.

Adults £4.00, Children £3.00, Concession £3.00 Family Ticket £11.00 (2 adults & 2 Children), under 5's free entry.

Spring events 2012

April 5th & 6th   - Free demo - Professional cartooning with Colin Shelbourn
April 10th - 12th - Free demo - 70's roller disco with cartoonist Robin Evans
April 17th & 18th - Free demo - Watercolour pencils with Eddie Potts
April 19th - Full day tuition workshop - Textures in the Landscape in watercolour with Eddie Potts
April 21st - Free demo - Masks and models with artist Celia Burbush
April 24th & 25th - Free demo - Pastel & Coloursoft Pencils with Carole Ann Peart
April 26th - Full day tuition workshop - River Animals in mixed media - Pastel & Coloursoft Pencils with Carole Ann Peart

May 12th - Free demo - Beginners print making, creative papers and wall hangings Karen Lloyd
May 19th - Free demo - Design a giant 3D hanging object with Karen McDougal
 

June 3rd - The BIG Jubilee Lunch
June 4th & 5th - Free demo - The Queen's Jubilee celebrations in watercolour Beverley Haines

Location

Only a short walk from Keswick town centre. Walk down the main street from the Tourist Information Centre following the fingerposts. Continue straight on, then turn right immediately prior to the road bridge over the River Greta. The Museum is on your left, just before the pencil factory.