Explore the ingenuity behind an everyday object, from graphite and pencil making to unusual wartime designs. Keswick’s Derwent Pencil Museum is preparing for a new home, so check the relocation notice below before planning your visit.
The current Southey Works museum is due to close after 1 November 2026. The announced move is to Rawnsley Hall in Keswick, with reopening planned for March 2027.
Cumbria Guide’s report of the announcement gives 1 March 2027 as the planned opening date. Confirm the final arrangements directly with Derwent before making a special journey; do not rely on older listings advertising winter opening at Southey Works.
The photographs and current-site details below relate to Southey Works. New-site facilities, prices and opening arrangements may differ.
Current location: Southey Works, Keswick, CA12 5NG.
Good for: curious families, drawing enthusiasts and industrial history.
Our suggestion: allow about an hour, with extra time for browsing or refreshments.
Planning a later trip? confirm the reopening and new address details first.
The current museum introduces pencil making through a replica graphite mine. Highlights include wartime pencils containing hidden maps, miniature pencil sculptures and an enormous coloured pencil measuring almost eight metres.
Look closely at how such a familiar object can be adapted for very different purposes. For a family visit, comparing the tiny sculptures with the oversized pencil makes a simple starting point for exploring together.
Check Derwent’s museum page for collection and display information. The layout will change with the move.
Derwent lists daily opening, 9.30am–5pm, until 1 November 2026, with last admission at 4pm. Tickets are sold onsite.
Check the official admission prices and visitor information for your group. The published arrangements apply to the current museum; confirm new-site details when reopening is announced.
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These photographs show the Southey Works museum, including its displays, entrance and shop. They do not show the planned Rawnsley Hall museum.
The current site lists a gift shop, coffee shop and baby-changing facilities. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
For mobility or sensory requirements, contact the museum before visiting, particularly about the replica-mine entrance and your preferred route. Ask separately about access at Rawnsley Hall once the new arrangements are available.
For visits before the announced closure, use Southey Works, Keswick, CA12 5NG. The adjacent car park is independently operated, uses ANPR cameras and requires payment on arrival. Follow the current signs and terms.
For a later visit, check the confirmed Rawnsley Hall arrival information before setting off. Avoid using saved directions to the old museum by habit.
Can I book museum admission through Tripadvisor?
The official museum page currently says tickets are purchased onsite. The Tripadvisor button provides an additional place to view the attraction; check any third-party product’s inclusions before booking.
Will the museum be open this winter?
The relocation announcement includes a temporary closure between the current site closing and the planned March reopening. Confirm directly with the museum if your trip depends on visiting.
What else can I do nearby?
Explore our Keswick guide or compare other attractions in the Lake District museums guide.
Keswick makes a useful base for exploring the northern Lakes. Compare accommodation for your dates, but confirm museum reopening before booking a trip specifically to visit it.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying bookings, at no extra cost to you.
