Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick, Cumbria, United Kingdom | Museum

Welcome to the Cumberland Pencil Museum in  Keswick in the United Kingdom.   We are located in the grounds of the pencil factory in Keswick  which was founded in 1832.   We opened 25 years ago in what was the former factory laboratory and now  welcome over 80 000 visitors a year from all over the world.

In the grounds you will see our only surviving 1950 Morris J class delivery van which was used for making local deliveries.   It was rediscovered in the late 1970's, hidden under a pile of boxed in one of our old outbuildings and restored to its former glory,.  It is still roadworthy and is taken to vintage rallies from time to time.

Throughout the year Cumberland Pencil Museum holds Artist Demonstration events, where the whole family can learn art and drawing techniques, have fun, and be amazed at the techniques that can be created learning quick and easy skills.

Cumberland Pencil Museum also run specialist workshops where adults can expand their knowledge and techniques on week days throughout the year, in a relaxed and friendly environment.

The artist demonstrations are free to Cumberland Pencil Museum visitors, and are an excellent way to expand your skills talking to the artists and fellow visitors that attend the demonstrations. Stay for half an hour or why not bring a friend and make a morning of it. The demonstrations are fun and lively and everyone is made to feel welcome and relaxed.

Legend has it that in the early 1500s, a violent storm in the Borrowdale area of Cumberland led to trees being uprooted and the discovery of a strange black material underneath. This material turned out to be graphite, and shepherds began using it to mark their sheep.   A cottage industry of pencil making soon developed, culminating in the formation of the UK's first pencil factory in 1832.   The factory has had various owners in its 175 year history, but became the Cumberland Pencil Company in 1916. The Lakeland children's range was launched in 1930, followed by the Derwent brand of fine art pencils in 1938.

 Since then, a huge variety of artists' materials has been developed, from traditional to highly innovative. The product range may have expanded beyond recognition but our commitment to excellence remains the same.