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A museum dedicated entirely to pencils might not sound like the most exciting family day out in the Lake District. But the Pencil Museum in Keswick is one of those places that will surprise you.
Located in Keswick, home of the world’s first pencil, the museum tells the story of how the local pencil industry developed from a small cottage industry into the globally recognised brand it is today. Along the way, families can discover secret wartime pencils, see one of the world’s largest coloured pencils, and take part in activities that encourage children to explore the exhibits.
The museum is relatively small, but it offers enough to fill an hour or two and a place to to keep in mind for a rainy day.
Need more ideas? See our guide to Keswick with kids.
Where is the Derwent Pencil Museum?
The Derwent Pencil Museum is located on the edge of Keswick town centre, beside the River Greta.
Address: Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NG
Click here for Google Maps location
The museum is easy to spot, sitting beside the larger factory building with Cumberland Pencil Company signage. A pay-and-display car park sits immediately next to the museum. Please note that the car park is not managed by the museum and operates using ANPR cameras, so payment is required on arrival.
The location is also ideal for combining a museum visit with a wander around Keswick’s shops, cafés and parks.
Opening Times
Derwent Pencil Museum is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm (last admissions 4pm). Although do note that during the winter months (November to March) the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Do check their website for opening times.
Ticket Prices
Tickets can only be purchased on site and prebooking is not necessary. This is very handy if you’re looking for a last minute wet weather option.
Admission Prices
- Adult: £6.65
- Child: £5.85
- Senior/Concession: £5.55
Family Tickets
- 1 adult + 1 child: £11.00
- 1 adult + 2 children: £16.15
- 2 adults + 1 child: £16.85
- 2 adults + 2 children: £22.00
- 2 adults + 3 children: £26.95
A yearly family membership costs £33.50 and includes admission for two adults and up to three children, plus a 10% discount in the coffee shop and gift shop.
Inside the Derwent Pencil Museum
At first glance, the museum feels quite small and you may wonder whether there will be enough to keep children interested. However, the activity sheets and quizzes encourage children to spend much longer exploring the exhibits than they otherwise might.
Exploring the Museum
Visitors begin their journey through a replica graphite mine, helping to bring to life the discovery of graphite in nearby Borrowdale and the origins of the local pencil industry more than 300 years ago.
From there, the museum follows the story of graphite and pencil making from its humble beginnings to modern-day production. Displays combine artefacts, photographs, information panels and examples of pencils from different periods.
Children’s Quizzes and Trails
One of the highlights for families is the range of activity sheets available.
Younger children can complete a pencil hunt, searching for hidden coloured pencils around the museum to reveal a mystery word. Older children are given a quiz, with answers hidden throughout the displays.
There is even a quiz for adults, if parents want to get involved!
The staff are particularly welcoming and take the time to recommend the most suitable activity for each child’s age and ability. It is a simple touch, but one that helps children get much more out of the experience.
The quizzes are clearly designed to encourage visitors to engage with the exhibits, and they work brilliantly. Children find themselves reading information boards, studying displays and looking more closely at artefacts as they search for answers.
Secret Wartime Pencils
Perhaps the most fascinating exhibit in the museum is the collection of wartime escape pencils. These specially designed pencils concealed maps, compasses and other escape aids that could help prisoners of war escape occupied Europe during the Second World War.
The World’s Longest Coloured Pencil
No visit would be complete without seeing one of the world’s largest coloured pencils. Measuring almost eight metres long, it is far more impressive in person than photographs suggest.
Pencil Sculptures and Special Exhibits
Families can also admire intricate miniature pencil sculptures and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pencil, alongside displays showcasing the evolution of Derwent products through the years.
The Gift Shop
The museum leads directly into the gift shop. Children who complete their quizzes can hand them in at the end, and the staff are enthusiastic in celebrating their efforts.
The shop stocks everything from individual pencils and pick-and-mix selections to premium artist materials, watercolour pencils, sketching supplies and gift sets. Creative children will probably find it just as difficult to leave empty-handed as their parents.
Facilities
In addition to the museum and gift shop, visitors will find:
- Coffee shop
- Baby changing facilities
- Toilets
- Free Wi-Fi
The Lake District Kids verdict
When we first arrived, we weren’t entirely convinced that a museum dedicated to pencils would hold the kids’ attention for long. We were wrong.
The quizzes quickly got everyone engaged, the wartime escape pencils were genuinely fascinating, and the gift shop was a huge hit. While the museum is fairly small, there’s enough here to fill an hour or two, making it a great rainy-day option in Keswick.
If you’re looking for something a little different in Keswick, the Derwent Pencil Museum is worth a visit.
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