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You are here: Home > Things to Do > Kendal Museum

Kendal Museum

Exterior at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Exterior at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Friendly staff and volunteers at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Exhibits at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Lake District Natural History at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Life-sized polar bear at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Shop and Cafe at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Natural History and Geology Exhibit at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Alfred Wainwright at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
  • Natural History Exhibit at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria

Type:Museum

Station Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 6BT
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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 133 reviews133 reviews

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Tel01539 815597

About

Have you ever been face to face with a real size Polar Bear?  Kendal Museum will surprise you, you’ll find several internationally recognised collections, including natural history, archaeology, geology and herbarium collections, along with the largest taxidermy collection in Europe! 
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter.  The Museum has a long history in Kendal Town and has occupied various sites but has been at its current location (previously a wool warehouse) since 1913.

Kendal Museum continues to develop as a place of inspirational teaching and learning, a visitor attraction of distinction and a place which connects the community. The Museum was at one time curated by the legendary fell-walker, Alfred Wainwright.
Discover our captivating natural history and world geology collections in the World Wildlife Gallery.  Full of wildlife wonders from zoology to ecology, immerse yourself in treasures from every continent for a real-life lesson in conservation, observation and identification, as well as marveling in the sheer beauty of our fragile natural world.

Take a unique journey through the history of our region from the Neolithic Age to Roman Times and right up to the 20th Century.  The Kendal and Westmorland Gallery includes social history treasures and archaeological discoveries from the local area, from a huge display dedicated to the fellwalker and writer Alfred Wainwright to our intriguing Cabinet of Curiosities. Discover Prehistoric artefacts which include a variety of Mesolithic tools from the Limestone Uplands of southern Cumbria and a large collection of Neolithic axe material from the Central Fells.  Don’t forget to have a play on our volcanic lithophones, be mesmerised by the brain coral, and say hello to our wonderful full-sized horse and rider who are decked out in the full uniform of the Cumberland and Westmorland Yeomanry!

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Opening Times

* Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am to 4.30pm

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access
  • Disabled toilets
  • Facilities for visually impaired

Booking & Payment Details

  • Credit cards accepted (no fee)

Catering

  • On-site light refreshments
  • Picnic site

Children

  • Baby changing facilities

COVID-19 Response

  • 2m distancing in place
  • Capacity limit
  • Clear signage
  • Contactless payment possible
  • COVID-19 measures in place
  • COVID-19 risk assessment completed
  • COVID-19 staff training completed
  • Currently closed
  • Face mask essential (not provided)
  • Face masks available for visitors
  • Floors clearly marked for social distancing
  • Hand sanitizer available to visitors & staff
  • Hygiene screens in place
  • Interactive displays closed
  • One way system
  • Online booking possible
  • Outside seating
  • Queuing system
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Socially distanced spaced seating
  • Staff required to regularly wash hands
  • Time limited visits

Groups

  • Education/study area
  • Facilities for educational visits
  • Facilities for groups
  • Guided tours for groups

Parking

  • Parking with charge

Property Facilities

  • Dogs not accepted (except guidedogs)
  • Gift shop
  • Public toilets
  • Smoking not allowed
  • WiFi or internet access

Site Features

  • Regional Tourist Board Member

Target Markets

  • Accepts groups
  • Coach parties accepted

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating:

4 of 5 stars
133 reviews
    • Excellent
      68
    • Very Good
      42
    • Average
      14
    • Poor
      5
    • Terrible
      4

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      © Tripadvisor 2023

      Awards

      • Visit EnglandVisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2019
      • Cumbria AwardsMember of Cumbria Tourism Member of Cumbria Tourism 2016

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      Exhibition at The People's Gallery at Kendal Museum in Kendal, CumbriaThe People's Gallery at Kendal Museum, KendalMike Healey's exciting new exhibition contains over forty exhibits and will bring a splash of…

      Map & Directions

      Map Link

      Click here to view map

      Road Directions

      Kendal Museum is in the northern fringe of Kendal Town Centre therefore is easy to reach, whether you’re on foot, cycling, taking the train or driving!

      By car: The car park is pay and display and is situated adjacent to the Museum. The postcode is LA9 6BT.  The car park entrance is marked with brown signs and is directly opposite the David Hayton car sales showroom building.

      By bike: We have a bike rack by the front door of the Museum.  

      Public Transport Directions

      By train: The Museum is perfectly located directly opposite Kendal train station. Connections from Oxenholme Lake District (main West Coast line) is only five minutes.

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