Kendal Museum

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!