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

'Writing under stress': the meaning and materiality of pauper letters

Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU
In person
Pre-booking required

Free workshops provided by Nottingham Trent University in association with Cumbria Archives. Pauper Letters are a fascinating historical source. Join our team of specialists to get ‘under the skin’ of these enigmatic documents.

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 and the stories of the people who lived and worked on the estate.

Brougham Hall Guided Tours

Brougham Hall, Brougham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DE
In person
Pre-booking not required

Walking tour around Brougham Hall Highlighting it history and future.

Exploring Heritage Through Art: Abbot Hall Highlights

Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AL
In person
Pre-booking not required

Curator tour(s): highlights of Abbot Hall Art Gallery – join Keeper of Collections Niall Hodson on a special tour of Abbot Hall Art Gallery. This 30-minute walkaround tour will introduce visitors to some of the highlights of Abbot Hall’s renowned art.

From Mill Workers to Makers: Farfield Mill

Farfield Mill Ltd,, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5LW
In person
Pre-booking not required

Celebrate Farfield Mill’s 25th anniversary during Heritage Open Days. Explore displays and exhibits revealing everyday working life through the ages, and discover stories of former mill workers and local history.

Guided Tours of Kendal Parish Church

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

Take a tour round Kendal Parish Church, Kendal's oldest building and the largest Church in the County. Learn some of its history its secrets and its stories as we take you round on a fun informative tour. Children's activities available.

Heritage tour - Allan Bank, Grasmere's first villa

Allan Bank, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9QB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Join a historic building conservator for a unique glimpse into the different phases of Allan Bank, Grasmere's first villa, from Wordsworth's time as the first tenant in 1808, to the present day.

Hidden Histories: Lives between the pages

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NT
In person
Pre-booking not required

Hawkshead Grammar School Museum and Library will be open free of charge with talks in our Historic Library examining the hidden stories between the pages of our book collection, and how we care for the books today.

Holy Trinity Church Kendal

Holy Trinity Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Display of clergy copes and stoles.

Holy Trinity, Kendal Parish Church Bell Tower

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 Mayor's Parlour History Talks

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DD
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 Mayor's Parlour History Talks - Historic Art

Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DD
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

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

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

Low Borrowbridge Roman Fort and farm

Low Borrowbridge Farm, Tebay, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3XX
In person
Pre-booking required

A walk around the historic farmyard looking at the development of the site. Visit Low Borrowbridge Roman fort which is not normally open to the public.

Newland Charcoal Iron Furnace

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

Visitors get the chance to look around 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

Organ Concert

Kendal Parish Church, Kirkland, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5AF
In person
Pre-booking not required

As part of our fortnightly organ concerts come and hear an experienced organist make our organs sing.

Rookhow

Rookhow, Rusland, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LA
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Rookhow is a Grade II* listed 300 year old Quaker Meeting House in the Rusland Valley surrounded by 12 acres of ancient oak woodland. Come and learn about Rookhow's history and its current work with community groups.

Sedgwick Gunpowder Works Tour

1 Low Park Wood Cottages, Sedgwick, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 0JZ
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Tour the ruins of Sedgwick gunpowder works. Learn about the gunpowder process, history of the area and the stories of local people.

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 from 0900 to 1700 and can be found in the centre of the town.

The 1940s at Townend

Townend, National Trust, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LB
In person
Pre-booking not required

Celebrate Townend being opened by the National Trust in 1948 with two 1940s themed days.