‘An A-Z of Beatrix Potter’ kickstarts 2026 for The Armitt
The Armitt museum and library in Ambleside reopened yesterday for 2026, with a brand-new, stunning, appealing-to-all ages, exhibition – ‘An A-Z of Beatrix Potter’.
It is co-curated with Dr Penny Bradshaw from the University of Cumbria, who has released a book of the same title, and features exciting loans from the V&A and from Beatrix’s publishers Fredrick Warne, the Royal Ballet & Opera and other lenders.
The show portrays her life, themes and topics, from new angles, shedding light cast on unchartered corners of her imagination. It contains objects and artworks little seen from The Armitt’s own extensive collection in addition to others from around the world.
The Armitt is honoured to be hosting such national and international treasures.
Dr Penny Bradshaw, Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Cumbria, author of An A-Z of Beatrix Potter (Bloomsbury Academic, 2026) and co-curator of ‘An A-Z of Beatrix Potter’ at The Armitt said “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to co-curate the 2026 headline exhibition at The Armitt. Exploring some of the key themes and ideas in my new book via an exhibition with manuscripts, drawings, photographs and other objects from many different Beatrix Potter archives has been really exciting. I hope that the exhibition helps to shed light on unfamiliar aspects of Beatrix Potter’s story and raise awareness of her wider writing life and cultural legacies in this, the 160th anniversary of her birth”.
This is echoed by The Armitt’s Manager & Curator, Faye Morrissey: “After a bumper year for The Armitt in 2025 with exhibitions on Romans and Alfred Wainwright drawing in more visitors, we are thrilled to have another display that focuses on such a pivotal person for the Lakes, its culture and literature. If you think you know about Beatrix Potter, think again because this exhibition, with Penny’s book, turns everything you think you know on its head. Families, children, anyone interested in this fascinating author, artist and Lake District resident and farmer will love it.”
A host of events throughout the year are planned, with curated exhibition tours, talks and workshops.
The Armitt is also delighted to open two new displays for 2026. ‘Club Culture Cumbria’ highlights the history of mechanics’ institutes and working men’s clubs around the county through present-day photographs by Colin Potsig and objects from The Armitt and other collections. Another explores Harriet Martineau – sociologist, writer and campaigner – who lived in Ambleside over 200 years ago, and who was known for her bold and radical views as a disability and women’s rights campaigner, as well as a guidebook writer.
The Armitt’s exhibitions are all open now and available to visit until 19 December 2026. Tickets can be purchased online at www.armitt.com where opening times and admission prices can also be found.