Cumbria Visitor Attractions

Cumbria Tourist and Visitor Information with links to heritage, nature and tourist attractions, many with brief details of disabled access. Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Cumbria Heritage and Nature pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.

We support 'Accessible Countryside for Everyone' in providing a brief guide as to the disabled access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.

Abbot Hall Art Gallery - Grade I listed building, Paintings from the 18th century are hung in the Georgian rooms on the ground floor, a significant collection of watercolours mainly from the second half of the 18th and the first half of the 19th centuries, modern collection concentrates more on painting than sculpture, although there are three-dimensional pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Jean Arp, and Elisabeth Frink. Workshops, exhibitions, -
lift access to all three floors, Stair free access is through the Coffee House entrance via the stair lift, hearing loop system installed at the ticket desk, wheelchair loan is available, stair lift at two galleries on 1st floor, accessible toilets next to the Coffee House
lakelandarts.org.uk/abbot-hall

Beacon Museum - Whitehaven - five floors of interactive history, science, games and more, harbour gallery, exhibitions, art installations - purpose-built with access for all in mind. All 5 floors are accessible to wheelchair users and our exhibitions are user-friendly for all ages and abilities. Wheelchair loan, induction loop system at reception, all audio presentations and activity room, Wheelchair accessible toilets, Subtitled video presentations, tactile directional signage, transcripts of audios and oral history presentations, Staff guide to accompany visitors with visual or hearing impairments, large print information
thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk

Birdoswald Roman Fort (EH) - the longest continuous remaining stretch of this World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall, extensive remains of the Roman fort and discover interactive displays, artefacts and a model of the wall in our fascinating exhibition, tearoom - Accessible Toilets, Wheelchair Loan, Lift is not suitable for large electric wheelchairs. Disabled visitors are recommended to bring a companion
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/birdoswald-roman-fort-hadrians-wall

Brantwood - former home of John Ruskin and depicts the last 28 years of his life spent in the Lakes, fine paintings, beautiful furniture and Ruskin’s personal treasures. Garden, exhibitions, workshops - The ground floor rooms, which comprise drawing room, annex, dining room, study, Blue Gallery, hallway, video and Brantwood`s bookshop are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs. A ramp is available to the main entrance and a permanent ramp has been installed to Ruskin’s dining room. An information sheet is available in Braille. The gardens and grounds ahave stepped access and are unsuitable for those in wheelchairs.
www.brantwood.org.uk

Carlisle Castle (EH) - medieval castle rooms, 19th century military buildings, Cumbria's Museum of Military Life - Accessible Toilets, Wheelchair access is limited. The new exhibition and grounds are accessible. However, the shop, Keep, Ramparts and Captain's Tower are not wheelchair accessible.
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/carlisle-castle

The Cumberland Pencil Museum - Keswick - World War 2 Secret Pencil exhibition, art workshops, replica of the Seathwaite Mine, where graphite was first discovered, history of pencil manufacture over the last 350 years and see how Derwent Fine Art Pencils are manufactured today
coffee shop, museum shop - Baby changing facilities, all on one level with no steps or ramps
www.derwentart.com

The Dock Museum - Barrow-in-Furness - built ovr a Victorian Dock, with 2 floors of galleries, Shipbuilders, Social History, Viking Gallery, displays, ship models, graphics, film shows and interactives, adventure playground, shop, cafe - Fully accessible, lift to all floors, accessible toilets, baby-change facilities. Touch tours for those with visual impairments are available
www.dockmuseum.org.uk

Grizedale Forest - walking & cycling trails, wildlife, sculptures, visitor centre, bike hire - Disabled toilets & Baby Changing, courtyard is cobbled and provides level access to the toilets, café, shop and information point, ramp leads to the play area to suit all abilities and covered picnic area. Accessible Way Marked Trails suitable for people in wheelchairs or those with children in pushchairs / prams
www.forestryengland.uk/grizedale

Keswick Brewery - brewery tour, Visitor Area has the original sandstone flagged floor, beams and a wood burning stove, brewery and shop - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.keswickbrewery.co.uk/tour

Lakeland Motor Museum - Backbarrow - diverse and unique road transport collection of some 30,000 exhibits assembled over a period of almost 50 years is thoughtfully displayed alongside many non-motoring additions, cafe, shop - step free, level access, hearing loop, interactive screens, large print interpretation panels and audio visual stations, accessible toilet, wheelchair for loan?
www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Haverthwaite Station, Nr Ulverston - Heritage Steam Railway, experiences, events - Accessible toilet at Haverthwaite Station, wheelchair ramps to board the train, viewing carriage for wheelchair users
www.lakesiderailway.co.uk

Laurel and Hardy Museum - On stage at the Roxy, Ulverston - films, collection - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.laurel-and-hardy.co.uk

Levens Hall & Gardens - in the Bagot family for over four hundred years, the house dates from c1350 but the interior is of the Elizabethan period with its fine oak panelling and ornate plasterwork, fine furniture, paintings etc. The Garden was Laid out in the 1690s and retains many of its original features, Topiary, Herb and Rose Gardens. For children there are the Creepy Crawly Corner, Playground, Willow Maze, Costumes, Traction Engines, cafe, shop - Due to the constraints of the house access is not possible for those in wheelchairs or using their mobility aids and baby buggies. Levens Gardens, The Bellingham Buttery and The Potting Shed Gift Shop are all accessible. The Gardens have gravel paths and a map of recommended routes is available, disabled toilet, A DVD runs in the Buttery enabling those who cannot access the House to see all the rooms on show to the public
www.levenshall.co.uk

Lowther Castle & Gardens - ruined castle and gardens, 130 acres, museum and gallery, café, shop - The Stable Courtyard, Shop and Café are fully wheelchair accessible. The gardens offer level paths of hard gravel around the main lawns and some of the later gardens but there are areas of the gardens which are not accessible to people with limited mobility
www.lowthercastle.org

Muncaster Castle and Gardens - Historic Haunted Castle, Himalayan Gardens, Hawk & Owl Centre, MeadowVole Maze and Playgrounds, Cafe and Giftshops, 70 acres of garden - Wheelchairs and mobility scooter loan, Accessible toilets, Cafe, Most of the ground floor of the Castle (where the majority of the audio tour takes place) is accessible by wheelchair and there is a virtual tour on a computer in the library which enables guests to view the upstairs rooms. www.muncaster.co.uk/access-statement-muncast
www.muncaster.co.uk

Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry - 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, farming, mining, tanning. stroll down the Victorian high street. - Ramp to entrance and ground floor (Victorian street) only, hearing loop, museum exhibitions on 1st floor not accessible. Coffee House and accessible toilet off courtyard
lakelandarts.org.uk/lakeland-museum

Old Hall Farm - Bouth, Ulverston - historic open working farm, see traditional 19th century farm life, heavy horses and steam engines, agricultural courses and activities including; rare steam ploughing, animal husbandry, tractor driving and shire horse ploughing, tea rooms, shop - we have no accessibility info for this site
oldhallfarmbouth.com

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway - between Ravenglass and Dalegarth nr Boot, narrow gauge railway "crossing seven miles of spectacular scenery to the foot of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range", four steam locomotives in regular service
Museum, Cafés at both Ravenglass & Dalegarth Stations, Gift Shops, Play Areas - Disabled Toilets and Baby Changing Facilities, Wheelchair Accessible Carriages (please contact in advance)
ravenglass-railway.co.uk

Rheged Centre - Penrith - 3D cinema screen, gallery, indoor and good outdoor play area, cookery school, events, workshops, crafts, shops, cafes, service station - full disabled access and toilet facilities, induction loop is available (book in advance to guarantee availability)
www.rheged.com

The Rum Story - Whitehaven - Set in the original 1785 shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family. The Rum Story has been authentically designed to provide all-weather family entertainment (like you have been transported to an exotic island in the Caribbean), cafe, shop - we have no accessibility info for this site
www.rumstory.co.uk

Ruskin Museum - The Story of Coniston featuring John Ruskin, Donald Campbell (Bluebird), Arthur Ransome, John Ruskin, local slate and copper mining and more - we have no accessibility info for this site (but we believe they have disabled access and accessible toilets)
www.ruskinmuseum.com

Safari Zoo - Lindal-in-Furness, Ulverston - The UK's 1st Safari Zoo, Rhinos, Lions, Tigers, Bears, Hippos, Wolves, Snow leopards, Jaguar, Giant otters, Primates, Vultures, Penguins, mini train, restaurant, shop - The park is accessible for wheelchair users, with lots of vantage and viewing points, animal interactions and specially designed walkways and toilet facilities, baby changing facilities (some inclines)
www.southlakessafarizoo.com

Solway Aviation Museum - Carlisle Airport - home to a collection of aircraft, aviation artifact’s and displays. Take a nostalgic journey back to Wartime Cumberland and the men and women of the RAF who served in WWII. Aircraft collection based on post war British jets that entered service with the Royal Air Force during the 1950’s and 60’s, displays on the Airport Fire Section and a life size working copy of the tower control desk - Wheelchair and an Electric shopping buggy are available
www.solway-aviation-museum.co.uk

Stott Park Bobbin Mill - Finsthwaite - this extensive working mill produced literally millions of wooden bobbins vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries. exhibition, hands-on family trail, Steam Weekends, gift shop - Accessible Toilets, The upper floor is accessed via steep wooden stairs, Induction loops are available on request
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stott-park-bobbin-mill

Talkin Tarn Country Park - located approximately 9 miles east of Carlisle - ancient woodlands, easy footpaths, glacial tarns, tearoom, stunning views, activities, wildlife, fishing, swimming, orienteering, geocaching, boats to hire or launch your own sailing boat, canoe or kayak. There are 120 acres of outdoor play and adventures with woodlands, forest trails and varied habitats to explore. Camping available to insured groups, such as cubs and scouts etc - fully accessible 1.3 mile walking route around the tarn
www.carlisle.gov.uk/talkintarn

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery - historic collections, contemporary art and family fun. Tullie House Museum has refurbished two of its permanent galleries to improve the display of its nationally important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. First floor Border Galleries main displays cover aspects of Carlisle and Border history, from Prehistoric to recent times, and the natural history of the area, from geology to local wildlife - fully accessible, with induction loops, automatic doors, ramped access and adapted toilets, baby changing facilities, apart from the first floor in Old Tullie House and The Guildhall Museum, which are both Grade 1 listed buildings.
www.tulliehouse.co.uk

Windermere Lake Cruises - A must do for visitors, cruises from 45 minutes to 3 hours, plus self drive and rowing boats, "Unlimited cruises for 24 hours on one easy ticket – Choose a Freedom of the Lake ticket to explore Windermere at your leisure...Combine a cruise with a trip to a local attraction", - a fleet of 16 vessels some of which are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately we have no other accessibility information for this site
www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk

The World of Beatrix Potter - Bowness-on-Windermere - four minute film about the author and her stories and illustrations then enter the main exhibition in which the sights and sounds of Beatrix Potter's celebrated characters are magically brought to life, 3D scenes of all 23 of Beatrix Potter’s Tales, tea room, shop - induction loops are in operation in the reception area and shop, all areas of the building are fully accessible for visitors. A lift gives access to the toilets and the Tea Room, wheelchair available for loan, brochure and guide are available in larger print on request
www.hop-skip-jump.com

Wordsworth House and Garden - Cockermouth - birthplace and childhood home of William Wordsworth, presented as it would have been in the 1770s, guided tours, exhibitions, events, cafe, shop - accessible toilet, lift for access to ground floor of house and to café, virtual tour available from reception
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house