Cumbria

From the three modern heritage centres at Carlisle, Whitehaven and Barrow to the small and sometimes rather unusual museums Cumbria and the Lake District boasts a pencil museum, a Laurel and Hardy Museum, and a tapestry museum to name a few.

The region is famed for its literary connections. If Poetry captures your groups' heart then journey to Grasmere where William Wordsworth, the romantic English poet wrote

some of the greatest poetry in the English language in his home, Dove cottage. One of the top places to visit in Carlisle is Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery where historic collections, contemporary art and family fun are brought together in one impressive museum and art gallery. Tullie House Museum is close to the border of England and Scotland and the World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall, it’s also within striking distance of the breathtaking Lake District. Tullie House is a meeting point for history, nature and art in one of Britain's most fascinating regions and has been inspiring visitors for more than 120 years. Make time to visit Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, a Grade I listed villa next to the river Kent. The gallery has two floors of light-filled spaces in which to see contemporary and historic art.

Don’t forget to visit the Derwent Pencil Museum located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.

You will find a journey of graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day production.

Wherever you decide to go you can expect a warm welcome and be enthused and refreshed with what Cumbria has to offer.