1. North West
  2. Cumbria
  3. Keswick

About Derwent Pencil Museum

Looking for a fun and unique family day out? The Derwent Pencil Museum (previously Cumberland Pencil Museum) in Keswick, Cumbria, is the perfect spot! Nestled in the beautiful Lake District, this one-of-a-kind museum is a great place for families with kids to explore, learn, and get creative together. Whether your little ones love drawing or discovering new things, the Pencil Museum offers a day filled with excitement, hands-on activities, and fascinating stories.

So, let's grab our pencils and dive into the colourful world of Derwent!

Things To Do

You might wonder, "What could be so interesting about pencils?" But trust us, the Derwent Pencil Museum is full of surprises! As soon as you step inside, you'll be greeted by the world's largest pencil that will catch the kids' attention. This sets the stage for an adventure through the history of pencils, starting from their humble beginnings right here in the Lake District.

Visit the official websiteWebsite Icon

Discover The Giant Pencil

As soon as you step into the museum, you'll be greeted by a massive pencil that's over 8 metres long! It's a fantastic photo opportunity and the perfect way to kick off your pencil-powered adventure.

Kids will love posing with this enormous writing tool, and it’s sure to set the tone for the fun day ahead.

Get Creative At The Kids' Art Studio

Let your little artists’ imaginations soar in the Kids' Art Studio, where they can draw, doodle, and create their very own masterpieces using Derwent's world-famous pencils.

Whether they are scribbling out a quick sketch, crafting a colourful creation or drawing anything that comes to mind! It’s a brilliant way to keep them entertained and inspired.

Uncover The Secret WWII Pencils

Discover the fascinating story of the secret WWII pencils, which were designed with hidden compartments to smuggle messages during the war.

It’s like something straight out of a spy movie, and kids will be thrilled to learn about these sneaky gadgets while exploring the museum! It's not just about the process of making pencils here....

Tick Icon

Facilities

  • Toilets iconToilets
  • Gift Shop iconGift Shop
  • Food Available iconFood Available
  • Wheelchair Friendly iconWheelchair Friendly
  • Dog Friendly iconDog Friendly
  • Pushchair Friendly iconPushchair Friendly
Timer Icon

Opening Times

Regular Times
  • Monday, 09:30 - 00:00
  • Tuesday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Wednesday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Thursday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Friday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Saturday, 09:30 - 17:00
  • Sunday, 09:30 - 17:00
Ticket Icon

Pricing & Tickets

General Admission
  • Child (3-15) : £5.00
  • Adult (16-18+) : £6.50

Book in advance for cheapest tickets

Find other attractions similar to Derwent Pencil Museum by visiting our attraction tickets section.

Timer Icon

Plan Your Visit

Stopwatch IconTypical visit time 2 - 3 hours

Tick IconSuitable for Kids and Adults too

Food & Drink Options

You can enjoy freshly baked goods, scones, sandwiches and a range of drinks, from coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold drinks.

Question Mark Icon

FAQs

Parking Icon

Parking

Toilets Icon

Toilets

Family Icon

Family Friendly Options

Food & Drink

Accessibility Icon

Accessibility Information

Ticket Icon

Tickets & Bookings

Party Icon

Private Hire & Birthday Parties

Transport Icon

Public Transport

Pin Icon

Contact Details

Cumberland Pencil Museum
Southey Works
Main Street
Keswick
Cumbria
CA12 5NG
England

Tel: 01768773626

Visit Website
Pin Icon

Transport Information

By Car:

If you're driving, the Derwent Pencil Museum is conveniently located just a short distance from Keswick town centre. Here’s how you can get there:

From the North (Carlisle): Take the M6 southbound and exit at Junction 40 for Penrith. Follow the A66 west towards Keswick. Once in Keswick, follow the signs for the town centre, then look out for signs directing you to the museum, which is located on Southey Hill.

From the South (Lancaster): Head north on the M6 and exit at Junction 40 for Penrith. Follow the A66 westbound towards Keswick. After arriving in Keswick, follow the town centre signs, then continue following the directions for the museum on Southey Hill.

By Bus:

If you prefer public transport, several bus routes serve Keswick, making it easy to reach the Derwent Pencil Museum:

From Penrith: You can catch the Stagecoach Bus X4 or X5, which runs from Penrith (including stops at Penrith Railway Station) to Keswick. The bus journey takes around 40 minutes.

From Workington or Cockermouth: The Stagecoach Bus X5 also runs from Workington and Cockermouth to Keswick. The journey from Workington takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, and from Cockermouth, it takes around 30 minutes.

In Keswick: Once you arrive at the Keswick Bus Station, the museum is just a 10-minute walk away. Follow the signs towards the town centre, then head towards Southey Hill where the museum is located.

By Train:

While Keswick itself doesn’t have a train station, you can easily reach the museum by taking a train to a nearby station and then completing your journey by bus or taxi:

From Penrith Railway Station: Penrith is the nearest mainline station to Keswick, located about 17 miles away. Trains from major cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow regularly stop at Penrith. From Penrith Railway Station, you can catch the Stagecoach Bus X4 or X5 directly to Keswick, as mentioned above. The bus journey from Penrith takes around 40 minutes.

From Windermere Railway Station: If you’re coming from the southern part of the Lake District, you can take a train to Windermere Railway Station. From there, you can catch a bus or taxi to Keswick, though this route is longer and might take up to 2 hours depending on connections.

Tick Icon

Verification & Last Updated

Claim Status:UnclaimedClaim

This attraction has not been claimed and verified. Own this attraction? Claim it now.

Last Updated: 01:30 03/10/2024

Derwent Pencil Museum Reviews

Recent blog posts

COMPETITION TIME: Win a magical overnight family stay in Alnwick + tickets to Alnwick Castle! - Image
Sophie InglisMay 28, 2025
COMPETITION TIME: Win a magical overnight family stay in Alnwick + tickets to Alnwick Castle!

🏰✨ COMPETITION TIME: Win a magical overnight family stay in Alnwick + tickets to Alnwick Castle! ✨🏰 😍 We’ve teamed up with Alnwick Castle to give one lucky family an overnight stay at the brand-new Bailiffgate Hotel AND a day of adventure at the iconic Alnwick Castle. 📲 Click the form below to…

Competitions
Things To Do
Chester Zoo Competition: WIN a Family day out to Chester Zoo + £100 voucher! - Image
Sophie InglisMay 12, 2025
Chester Zoo Competition: WIN a Family day out to Chester Zoo + £100 voucher!

🦒😲 COMPETITION TIME: WIN a family day out to Chester Zoo PLUS £100 voucher to spend! 😲🦒 😆 We’ve teamed up with Chester Zoo to offer one lucky family the chance to win a family ticket (4 people) PLUS £100 voucher to spend on food, drinks and shopping at the Zoo 📲 Click…

Competitions
Things To Do
Trentham Monkey Forest Competition: WIN a Family Pass to visit Trentham Monkey Forest! - Image
Sophie InglisMay 12, 2025
Trentham Monkey Forest Competition: WIN a Family Pass to visit Trentham Monkey Forest!

🌳🐒 GIVEAWAY TIME! WIN a family trip to walk with free roaming monkeys!🐒🌳 🐒 We’ve partnered with Trentham Money Forest to give away 5x family passes (4 people per pass) for a fun filled day walking with the monkeys. 📆 The winner will be announced on 26th May 2025 and the winner will…

Competitions
Things To Do
Discover the Best Unique Afternoon Teas You’ve Never Heard Of! - Image
ShivaniJune 19, 2025
Discover the Best Unique Afternoon Teas You’ve Never Heard Of!

Discover the best unique afternoon teas for an unforgettable experience! From whimsical themes to creative twists on classic treats!

Food and Drink
Things To Do
The Lost Kingdom Walking Trail Roars into the UK This Summer - Image
ShivaniJune 16, 2025
The Lost Kingdom Walking Trail Roars into the UK This Summer

Step into a prehistoric adventure this summer with The Lost Kingdom Walking Trail – a dino-mite family day filled with roars and discovery!

Events Near You
Things To Do
Mulligans Golf Competition: WIN a £50 gift voucher to use at any Mulligans Location! - Image
Sophie InglisMay 9, 2025
Mulligans Golf Competition: WIN a £50 gift voucher to use at any Mulligans Location!

⛳️🤩 COMPETITION TIME: We’re giving away 5x £50 vouchers to any Mulligans venue! 🤩⛳️     😍 To celebrate May Half Term, we’ve teamed up with Mulligans to give your family a £50 voucher to spend at your chosen venue 📆 Enter via the form below. The competition closes on 16th June and…

Competitions
Things To Do
Cockfields Farm Competition: WIN the ultimate FAMILY DAY OUT at Cockfields Farm! - Image
Sophie InglisMay 7, 2025
Cockfields Farm Competition: WIN the ultimate FAMILY DAY OUT at Cockfields Farm!

GIVEAWAY TIME: WIN 4x tickets, donkey grooming, £40 to spend and MORE at Cockfields Farm! 🐣🤩 🤩 We’ve teamed up with Cockfields Farm to give 2x FAMILIES the chance to 4x entry tickets to the farm, donkey grooming sessions, bird of prey handling experiences, 4x animal feed and a £40 voucher to spend…

Competitions
Things To Do
Jet Set and Ready: A Family Day Out at Manchester Runway Visitor Park! - Image
OliviaMay 6, 2025
Jet Set and Ready: A Family Day Out at Manchester Runway Visitor Park!

Looking for a cheap family day out with lots of free activities? Find out everything you need to know about Manchester Runway Visitor Park!

Family Fun
Things To Do