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Written by: Janie
Superb experiences for all are on offer across Carlisle, The Western Lake District and Coast – thanks to an excellent range of engaging museums and attractions.
Immerse yourself in culture and history or try a new experience or activity – there are plenty of great options for families or a group of varied abilities. Read on to get inspired for your next visit to the region.
Jump to:
- Roman Army Museum, Brampton
- The Rum Story, Whitehaven
- Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport
- The Shiver me Timbers play area, Maryport
- Tullie, Carlisle
- Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Roman Army Museum, Brampton
Immerse yourself in the life of a Roman soldier at The Roman Army Museum, located next to one of the most complete sections of Hadrian’s Wall.
The museum galleries use audio visual displays and unique objects to tell the story of life based at the Magna Roman Fort. Watch the Edge of Empire film showing an aerial view of Hadrian's Wall and learn Latin and maths in the Roman classroom. Between April and September, you can see live archaeology taking place at the Fort behind the museum.
The museum is accessible to wheelchair users thanks to Blue Badge parking spaces, level access and accessible toilets. The archaeology site currently does not have level access however you can find out more about this work via the online Accessible Trench Talks which take place fortnightly from April to September.
The museum has a brilliant visual story and accessibility video – both explaining the different spaces, helping you prepare for your visit. All staff receive disability awareness training, and all projects are assessed for accessibility compliance. Other facilities include a portable hearing loop system and audio transcripts.
The Rum Story, Whitehaven
An atmospheric and immersive indoor attraction, The Rum Story tells the story of Whitehaven’s fascinating history through the influential Jefferson family. Founded in 1785, the Jefferson family business traded in rum, sugar and molasses from the West Indies, where they owned an estate in Antigua.
Housed in the original warehouse and offices of the Jefferson family business, today’s attraction includes Henry Jefferson’s office, the Antiguan rainforest and the original bonded warehouse where imported goods were stored. Along the way you will also learn about slavery, the history of rum, pirates and smugglers.
You’ll find level access throughout except for the boardroom and education suite, where there’s a small number of steps once you exit the lift. There is free of charge disabled parking directly outside the museum and lift access is available to all floors. Accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and in The Vault events space.
Guide dogs are welcome in the attraction and there is plenty of seating available throughout.
Lake District Coast Aquarium, Maryport
A brilliant day out for the whole family, The Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport is home to 75 display tanks and hundreds of amazing freshwater and sea species.
Explore displays full of everything from native species from our local streams, ponds and rivers through to creatures found in tropical marine reefs. Meet native shark and skate species in the shark and ray pool, and spot species inside the shipwreck tank who prefer to live at a greater depth in the ocean.
In terms of accessibility, expect level access suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users. There is accessible parking by the entrance to the aquarium, accessible toilets at reception and in the Wild Solway Exhibition Centre and a manual wheelchair available for loan. The café and gift shop are located on the ground floor and are accessible without purchase of an admission ticket.
Make a full day out of it in Maryport with the aquarium café, free crazy golf on-site, the new play area (see below) and a harbourside stroll.
The Shiver Me Timbers play area, Maryport
Next door to the aquarium, the recently renovated ‘Shiver Me Timbers’ play area is a bright, colourful, pirate-themed space. The park’s nautically inspired design has also been developed with inclusivity in mind.
Level access and an informal pathway around the play areas means that each piece of equipment can be enjoyed from all angles while plenty of strategically placed seating means that children can take timeout whenever needed.
There are ground level activities suitable for wheelchair users and accessible stairways and steps allowing those with limited mobility to access elevated play areas.
More challenging activities like the swing, roundabout and see-saw have all been adapted to allow access for all, while there are also opportunities for sensory play with quieter activities available as well. Look out for parallel play opportunities with play panels that encourage social interaction so that children can learn from their peers.
Tullie, Carlisle
This unique museum and art gallery covers subjects such as archaeology, natural history, local and social history. A community hub as well, they offer a forward-thinking programme of special exhibitions and events. Their services and facilities include level access, videos with BSL interpretation, audio descriptions, guided tours, special sessions and wheelchair loan.
Tullie is set to unveil its transformed entrance and welcome area later in 2025. Visitors to Tullie will be welcomed into the beautifully redeveloped entrance with a new café, shop, events space and an additional exhibition space on the ground-floor, the Carlisle Gallery, which will reveal the hidden histories of this great Border city. The revitalisation of this space will provide a new experience for everyone – museum visitors, locals and tourists. All new spaces are designed to complement the museum’s ethos of inclusivity, creativity and sustainability. In the meantime, check their website for a current programme of events and activities.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
Soak up stunning landscapes with a trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway – from the charming village of Ravenglass journey into the mountains towards the Dalegarth Station in the Eskdale valley. Also, visit the Railway Museum and take a break in one of the station cafés.
The railway and its staff are also well equipped and well trained to welcome any visitor with additional needs. Their services and facilities include familiarisation visits, a sensory story, audio commentary and hearing loops. There is level access throughout both sites and also a wheelchair adapted carriage meaning that this spectacular journey through the Lake District is possible for all.
A changing places facility at Ravenglass station means that those visitors with more complex needs can now also enjoy a day out in the area. For those looking to explore further around Ravenglass, the station now also offers Tramper Hire (an all-terrain mobility scooter) so that more visitors can explore the local Miles without Stiles trails.
The Cumberland Adventure for Everyone Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield.
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
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