Kendal Museum
Kendal Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Founded in 1796, Kendal Museum's fascinating collections include local and global archaeology, history, geology and natural history.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
140 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
44
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
4
ClaireF1985
Scotland, UK143 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Absolutely fantastic collection of taxidermy. Well worth a visit and the entry fee. Didn’t spend as long in the main area, there was a lot of improvement going on and it felt cluttered with exhibits being moved around.
The children’s play area is a lovely touch and right next to the tea/coffee so can sit and watch your kids play while you take a breather if you need one.
The children’s play area is a lovely touch and right next to the tea/coffee so can sit and watch your kids play while you take a breather if you need one.
Written 3 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Claire, thanks so much for your lovely review! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit. You're right we have improvements in the works, hopefully you can come back and enjoy the fruits of our labour sometime soon. Again, we really appreciate your kind feedback.
Written 16 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ross T
Redcar, UK4 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We visited the museum on a rainy day in the lakes after reading about the displays at Kendal castle ruins. We were greeted by a very friendly member of staff who offered us the yearly pass at the same rate as a single visit and gave us a great breakdown of what was on show. The variety of pieces was amazing and surprisingly we really enjoyed the Victorian taxidermy section which has hundreds of animals, this may not be to everyone's taste and being animal lovers we were skeptical but the information and preservation gives great insight to the animals lives.
Upon leaving we chatted to the manager who was especially polite and knowledgeable.
Upon leaving we chatted to the manager who was especially polite and knowledgeable.
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting the museum and leaving such a lovely review. We're so glad you enjoyed your trip and found the museum exhibits interesting, especially beyond expectations. We really appreciate such kind feedback. Looking forward to welcoming you back again soon!
Written 14 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Journey61081230000
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
Something for everyone here - history, geology, archaeology, artefacts galore, Wainright memorabilia, musical slates, and an amazing collection of stuffed animals. Coffee area, chairs for tired legs, welcoming and relaxed staff. Raining outside, the museum didn't just save the day but kept 3 grandchildren happily occupied for two hours. Well done and thanks.
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Thank you so much for your kind words and review! We're glad to hear that you and your grandchildren enjoyed exploring the museum. We look forward to your next visit!
Written 24 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marion M
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Went with a disabled senior on a mobility scooter and reluctant 6 year old. The experience was amazing for us all. Lovely warm welcome, good assortment of exhibits, displayed in many ways, some can be handled. Seeing animals true size gave our grandson something he had not thought about. The huge bear and polar bear are so special. Old coins and various stones and gems added to the experience. Ringing the very loud ship’s bell was a super activity. Than you, we will be back.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, thank you very much for visiting the museum and for giving us a great review! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed exploring our exhibits and that there was something of interest to both you and the youngster. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Written 17 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jodie C
London, UK57 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The museum is a quirky collection of curios. We spent about an hour here but you could easily stay much longer if you were intent on reading every little plaque. Staff are very welcoming. The taxidermy room was something else alright! Although, as a Canadian, I would challenge the labelling of what is clearly a moose as an 'elk' and the elk labelled as a "wapiti": wapiti being the french word for that particular animal in Canada.
Top tip: You can park all day in the museum car park for only £5. This was by far the best value we found in town.
Top tip: You can park all day in the museum car park for only £5. This was by far the best value we found in town.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank-you for your lovely review! We're glad you enjoyed your visit. The labelling suggestion has been passed on to our curator; we really value the knowledge that visitors can share with us about our collections. Hope to welcome you again soon.
Written 5 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Natasha P
4 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Wonderful place to visit with lots to see! If you love your history then it’s definitely worth the visit. Id also like to say a big thank you to Michael, who gave us a tour and was very knowledgeable and incredibly kind and welcoming!
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking time to leave us such a lovely review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We all look forward to seeing you again soon. Many thanks again.
Written 13 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris H
Saltaire, UK51 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
We spent a lovely couple of hours here while holidaying in the South Lakes. Loads of exhibits to capture the imagination of adults and children alike. Admission price includes a year's membership so we'll definitely be returning.
Written 13 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Chris, thank you very much for visiting the museum and for giving us a lovely review! We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit. Hope you had a lovely holiday altogether. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Written 28 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
bertrumted
Manchester, UK6 contributions
Nov 2022
WOW I found this place by accident when getting lost around Kendal centre. I decided as I couldn't find the museum, I was looking for that I would pop inside. The disabled access into the building was good and the staff came straight away to open the door. The museum was an eclectic mix of Kendal life with Geology and an amazing array of stuffed animals, i thought I wouldn't like this room, but I have to say I was amazed at the animals on display, there were what seemed like hundreds of animals from Butterflys, birds, and animals from around the world I particularly liked the stuffed dodo. I would def recommend it to anyone who was looking for something a little different and an hour or more to spare. An amazing model of a ship is held there which was interesting. There's so much I can't do it justice.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting the museum and for taking time to leave lovely feedback. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We all look forward to seeing you again soon. Many thanks again.
Written 18 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter R
1 contribution
Oct 2022
A small gem of a museum, part of Kendal College, preserving an eclectic mix of collections, passionately accrued by local enthusiasts during the early to mid 20th Century. There are local and civil medals, clothing, school uniforms and artisan implements from the late 19th Century; a large collection of fossils and minerals, all meticulously labelled, from local mines and caves; antiquities of neolithic man, Egypt and Rome; Roman, ;Saxon and Medieval hammered coins; pottery;, man traps and other gruesome metal torture implements from the 18th and 17th centuries. In a lower basement is a substantial collection of taxidermy specimens of mammals and birds from all parts if the world. From a zoological perspective they give an impression of what the live animals, birds and butterflies, would have looked like, many of whom are now rare or extinct. There is even a reconstruction of a Dodo, of which no complete specimen remains. Finally the museum supports local artists with a hall dedicated to holding exhibitions displaying their works. A disfferent artist is featured every fortnight.
Amongst the specimens is a small gift shop and cafe, The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The modest entrance fee is valid for the whole year. There is plenty to revisit again, as the range of collections cannot be fully absorbed or appreciated in one visit.
Amongst the specimens is a small gift shop and cafe, The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. The modest entrance fee is valid for the whole year. There is plenty to revisit again, as the range of collections cannot be fully absorbed or appreciated in one visit.
Written 29 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting the museum and for leaving such a lovely review. What an amazing, spot-on summary of the museum, too! The kind comment like yours make it all worth it. We look forward to welcoming you back again, soon. Many thanks again.
Written 4 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jack B
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Family
Took my 3 year old daughter in as it was nearby to where we were staying. She is often very nervous in new places but she loved it so much that she asked to come back again after lunch.
The puzzles and play area were really accessible and entertaining for her and the staff were very kind and friendly.
A lot of work has clearly been done to make this place more interesting and accessible for children and I hope it is rewarded with the custom it deserves.
I'm certain we'll be back again.
The puzzles and play area were really accessible and entertaining for her and the staff were very kind and friendly.
A lot of work has clearly been done to make this place more interesting and accessible for children and I hope it is rewarded with the custom it deserves.
I'm certain we'll be back again.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for visiting the museum and for the lovely feedback. It has put a big smile on our faces! It's a great pleasure to hear that your daughter enjoyed the visit. We all look forward to seeing you and your daughter again soon!
Written 29 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Herdy007
Penrith, UK45 contributions
Hello .
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Just disappointed that quite a few labels missing from the exhibits. Although each exhibit had a reference number, I couldn’t see an index anywhere to look it up.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kendal Museum
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