Westmorland and Furness

Properties and events in Westmorland and Furness

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

A Celebration of a Society Painter - a talk on George Romney at Sizergh with Alex Kidson

National Trust, Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE
In person
Pre-booking required

Join us in the Drawing Room for a fascinating insight into one of the most fashionable portrait painters of the 1700s. George Romney expert Alex Kidson, will be delving into the early career of the local artist and his connections to Sizergh.

Acorn Bank Watermill

Acorn Bank, Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come and see the 19th Century mill in action and learn about the progress made in restoring the second waterwheel to working condition and the architecture of the various phases of the mill complex.

Alchemy in Appleby at the Colour Makers House

The Colour Makers House, 2 High Wiend, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6RD
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover how Alchemy transforms waste from the lead industry into bright blues and greens that grace stately homes in the workshops of the Colour Makers House, rebuilt in 1677.

Backbarrow Ironworks Heritage Trust

Backbarrow Ironworks, Ironworks Road, Backbarrow, Ulverston, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8RF
In person
Pre-booking required

Backbarrow Ironworks is one of the first built [1711] in the North of England continuing for over 250 years until 1965. This amazingly long period of iron production represents the best illustration of iron smelting technology develoment nationally.

Brougham Hall Guided Tours

Brougham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DE
In person
Book on day

Walking tour around Brougham Hall Highlighting it history and future.

Drybeck Hall

Drybeck Hall, Drybeck, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6TF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Drybeck Hall dates from 1679. It is Grade II listed and a typical Cumbrian cross passage house with attached bank barn.

Holy Trinity, Kendal Parish Church

Kendal Parish Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Visit our magnificent Bell Tower. Climb to the ringing room and then to the bell chamber in the company of our Bell Captain and team of ringers.

Kendal and The International Slave Trade Guided Town Trail

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ED
In person
Pre-booking required

While Kendal was not a major trading town of enslaved peoples it was involved in the Slave Trade. This guided trail is a chance to better understand how the town contributed to and benefitted from this involvement.

Kendal Mayor's Parlour History Talks

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ED
In person
Pre-booking required

This is a chance to view some of Kendal’s beautiful heritage items and to learn about the history of the town and how it has developed over the years. A relaxed talk with the opportunity to ask questions and handle some of the items.

Kendal Unitarian Chapel

Branthwaite Brow, Market Place, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4TN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover Kendal's oldest nonconformist chapel, built in 1720, with gardens including a unique Multi-faith Garden of Remembrance.

Moot Hall Council Chamber

Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, CA16 6YB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Recently refurbished (2022), the Moot Hall is still used for its original purpose. Official Town Council Business is conducted in the Council Chamber, just as in centuries past. Downstairs now hosts the Tourist Information Centre and Exhibition Room.

National Trust - Aira Force Guided Heritage Walk

National Trust, Aira Force, Watermillock, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JS
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of our team on a free guided walk.

National Trust - Fell Foot Guided Walk

Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8NN
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of the National Trust team and discover Fell Foot's fascinating history with a guided walk around the grounds.

National Trust Langdale - Guided heritage walk

National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park, Great Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9JU
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join a member of the National Trust team for a free guided walk to see some of the historic and natural highlights of this stunning and iconic valley.

National Trust, Allan Bank - guided heritage tour

National Trust, Allan Bank, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9QB
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join us and learn about the building of Allan Bank - Grasmere’s first villa. This is a unique opportunity to hear about the fascinating architectural history of Allan Bank - the different phases of the house and all its surprises.

New Sedgewick Gunpowder Works Tour

Sedgwick, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0JZ
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Discover the remains of the new Sedgewick gunpowder works. Explore the history of the site, stories of its workers and impacts on the surrounding area. You will see the strongest parts of the sites architecture that have stood the test of time.

Newland Charcoal Iron Furnace

Newland Iron Furnace, Newland, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7QG
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visitors will get the chance to look around the Newland Charcoal Iron Furnace. There will be an exhibition of the furnace's history and operation, and guided tours will be given to explain things further. There are a number of new exhibits on display.

Rookhow

Rookhow Quaker Meeting House, Colton, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LA
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Visit a Grade II* listed 300 year old Quaker Meeting House in rural South Lakes. See how we have managed to improve energy efficiency with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating, whilst being sensitive to the building's history.

Sizergh Estate Guided Walk

Sizergh Castle, Sizergh, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8AE
In person
Pre-booking preferred

A walk around the grounds and estate of Sizergh Castle. Discover ancient archaeology, vibrant nature and investigate typical architecture of a lakeland farm.

St Andrew's church Penrith

St. Andrew's Church, St. Andrew's Place, Penrith, Cumbria, Cumbria, CA11 7XX
In person
Pre-booking not required

This lovely Church is open every day from 0900 to 1700, and can be found in the centre of the town.