Free Activities
Sketching at the Museum
Join us for our free
 Sketching at the Museum event! Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, this event is open to all skill levels. Gather your sketchbook, pencils, and creativity for an inspiring afternoon surrounded by the museum’s stunning exhibits.
Enjoy the calming atmosphere, connect with other art enthusiasts, and let the museum’s collection spark your imagination. We will provide some basic materials, but feel free to bring along your own!
Date: 27th June / 25th July 2025
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Cost: Free for members, £5 for non-members (includes annual membership)
No need to book – just show up and sketch!
Hands On History
Join us for our Hands-on History event, where you can touch, feel, and learn about real historical artifacts from our collection. It’s a fantastic chance to connect with the past in a hands-on way, guided by our knowledgeable staff. Perfect for curious minds of all ages!
Bring your family, friends, and your curiosity – we can’t wait to share the wonders of our collection with you.
Date: Every Saturday
Time: 9am – 4pm
Cost: Free for members, £5 / £2 for non-members (includes annual membership) under 5s free.
No need to book – just show up!
Festival of Archaeology 2025
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: The Axe Factor
The Axe Factor: The Neolithic Stone Quarries of Great Langdale
Join Dr Kate Sharpe of Durham University to learn about the fascinating history on our doorstep!
Six thousand years ago, the Central Lake District was the focus of an intensive production process with a UK-wide distribution network. A very particular type of stone, which outcropped around high fells, was much sought after by Neolithic communities. They quarried, shaped and polished it to create valuable axe-heads that were traded throughout Britain and Ireland.
Drawing on evidence from archaeology and ethnography, this talk will explore aspects of this phenomenon, from the practicalities of mounting quarrying expeditions to the rituals and social dynamics that may have been involved.
Event Details:
Date: August 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Archaeology Finds Day at Kendal Museum
Bring your mystery objects, metal-detected finds, or local discoveries to our Archaeology Finds Day. Join our Finds Liaison Officer from the Portable Antiquities Scheme to find out the material, date and significance of your finds and have them recorded in a national database.
This event is totally free to attend, there is no need to book unless you are bringing multiple finds with you, in which case please email Theo.Muscillo@lancashire.gov.uk to book a slot.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Lunchtime Talks
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: Pockets and Women’s Fashion
Pockets and Women’s Fashion: A Hidden Story by Seren Shaw
Join us for a fascinating journey through the history of women’s clothing—one pocket at a time. Discover how pockets have shaped the daily lives, freedoms, and fashions of women from medieval times to today. Why were pockets once hidden? What did women carry in them—and what does it tell us about their roles in society?
Led by historian Seren Shaw, this illustrated talk uncovers the politics, practicality, and symbolism stitched into the seams of women’s garments across the centuries.
Event Details:
Date:Â June 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £5 General Admission, £3 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: The Cat, a Social and Cultural History
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: The Cat, a Social and Cultural History
Join us for a captivating talk exploring the long and surprising history of the domestic cat. Discover how cats were worshipped, feared, hunted, and adored—and how they made the leap from wild hunters to beloved household icons.
Presented by historian (and cat lover) Seren Shaw, this illustrated talk is perfect for cat lovers, history fans, and curious minds alike.
Event Details:
Date: July 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £5 General Admission, £3 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: Presidents, Soldiers, Sailors & Spies
Presidents, Soldiers, Sailors & Spies: An American View of Cumbrian History
Join Dr Christopher Donaldson of Lancaster University to learn about the fascinating historical ties between Cumbria and the USA.
We often view Britain’s special relationship with the United States as a product of the Second World War. However, the ties between the UK and the US stretch far back into history. This is especially true here in Cumbria. Famous Americans have come here since the 1700s, and in that time countless Cumbrians have left their native county in search of new opportunities across the Atlantic.
In this talk, we will explore the deep-rooted connections between Cumbria and key figures and events in American history. Additionally, we will delve into the stories of Cumbrians who pursued their fortunes in the United States.
Event Details:
Date: July 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: The Axe Factor
The Axe Factor: The Neolithic Stone Quarries of Great Langdale
Join Dr Kate Sharpe of Durham University to learn about the fascinating history on our doorstep!
Six thousand years ago, the Central Lake District was the focus of an intensive production process with a UK-wide distribution network. A very particular type of stone, which outcropped around high fells, was much sought after by Neolithic communities. They quarried, shaped and polished it to create valuable axe-heads that were traded throughout Britain and Ireland.
Drawing on evidence from archaeology and ethnography, this talk will explore aspects of this phenomenon, from the practicalities of mounting quarrying expeditions to the rituals and social dynamics that may have been involved.
Event Details:
Date: August 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: A Pinch of the Past: Culture, Craft, and Commerce in the Kendal Snuff Industry
A Pinch of the Past: Culture, Craft, and Commerce in the Kendal Snuff Industry
Discover the rich history of Kendal’s snuff-making heritage in this engaging museum talk with Nic Jenzen-Jones.
Explore how the town became a pivotal centre for snuff production in 18th-century Britain, driven by its strategic location on historic packhorse routes and access to imported tobacco.
Delve into the cultural significance of snuff-taking and its role in local commerce, highlighting the enduring legacy of companies like Gawith Hoggarth.
This talk offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of culture, craft, and commerce in Kendal’s industrial past.
Event Details:
Date:Â August 9th, at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: Walney Channel Seagrass Restoration
Cumbria Wildlife Trust: Walney Channel Seagrass Restoration
Join Cumbria Wildlife Trust at Kendal Museum for an engaging talk on the restoration of seagrass meadows in the Walney Channel. Discover how these vital underwater habitats support marine life, enhance coastal resilience, and play a crucial role in combating climate change.
Through restoration trials and community involvement, the Trust is working to restore these ecosystems to their former health. The talk will highlight the importance of seagrass and how local communities can contribute to its recovery.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about and support marine conservation efforts in our region.
Event Details:
Date: August 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Venue:Â Kendal Museum
Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students
PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Book your tickets HERE
Children’s Activities
There’s plenty for children to explore, in addition to identifying our natural history objects and animals: They can get creative with fossil rubbings, play a tune on the slate lithophone, be inspired by the local landscape in the Kendal & Westmorland Gallery, and discover evolution in the World Wildlife Gallery.
We have a dedicated children’s area in the museum with dressing up clothes, toys, games, books, and even an historic rocking horse! There is seating close-by for parents to enjoy a coffee, while little ones are kept entertained.
For older children, we design seasonal Kendal Museum themed trails – involving questions and activities that lead the children (and adults!) on a hunt for answers around our galleries. It’s a great way for families, groups or young ones independently to engage in all areas of the museum.