Event Details
30th September 202514:00-15:30Ticket – £6:00This talk will explore the development of children’s literature and, in particular, the ‘holiday adventure’ genre within the
Event Details
30th September 2025
14:00-15:30
Ticket – £6:00
This talk will explore the development of children’s literature and, in particular, the ‘holiday adventure’ genre within the context of the Lake District – a region which in 2017 was granted UNESCO World Heritage status and deemed an internationally significant Cultural Landscape. While the UNESCO nomination document makes clear the vital role of literature in shaping the way we think about and respond to this place, there is little reference to authors of children’s literature, whose texts have greatly influenced subsequent visitor engagement with the Lakes. Given the formative influence of children’s literature and the fact that these writers negotiate with key ideas developed by Wordsworth, in which children learn through engagement with Lakeland landscapes, this seems a surprising omission.
This talk considers the importance of these texts for children and in particular the way in which they help us perceive the region to be an evolving ‘cultural Landscape’.
About the speaker
Dr Penny Bradshaw is an Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Cumbria and programme Leader for the University’s MA Literature, Romanticism, and the English Lake District, which includes a module on children’s literature. Penny specialises in and publishes on regional literary contexts, and her latest project is An A-Z of Beatrix Potter, which is forthcoming with Bloomsbury Academic.
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01oct2:30 pm3:45 pmThe Armitt Heritage Walks 1st October
Event Details
1st October14:30-15:45Tickets £12.00.You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets and
Event Details
1st October
14:30-15:45
Tickets £12.00.
You may have walked the narrow pavements of Ambleside, exploring the various cafes, gift outlets and outdoor shops, but did you know that behind the main streets, you can find a fascinating history of the older town? Covering the story of Ambleside’s mills and industry, the markets and the people, we aim to give you an insight into the our beautiful town at the centre of the Lake District.
Join us on one of our Heritage Walking Tours of Ambleside, created by our local Armitt volunteers and with inspiration and thanks from the Heritage Trail leaflet produced by the Ambleside Civic Trust.
The tour will take approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes and start from The Armitt. Please come in appropriate clothing for the weather and sturdy footwear. The walk will be on footpaths but there are some sections that are slightly steeper. Your ticket includes entry into The Armitt.
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Location
ARMITT MUSEUM & LIBRARY AMBLESIDE CUMBRIA
Rydal Road • Ambleside • Cumbria • LA22 9BL
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04oct9:45 am12:30 pmA Hunt for Fungi!with Helen Speed
Event Details
4th October 20259:45-12:30Ticket – £15:00Opening hoursHolehird Gardens 9:45am-12:30pm The Armitt is excited to be running fungi walks once again this year.
Event Details
4th October 2025
9:45-12:30
Ticket – £15:00
Opening hours
Holehird Gardens 9:45am-12:30pm
The Armitt is excited to be running fungi walks once again this year.
To tie in with our exhibition focusing on “Beatrix Potter’s summers in the Lake District”, our walks will be taking place in some of those key locations where Beatrix Potter found inspiration for her fungi illustrations. Led by experienced mycologists, such as Helen Speed, these walks will be an informative and engaging event for all those interested in exploring and learning about fungi.
4th Oct: This walk will take place at Holehird Gardens
We will meet at the location specified above on the date – please don’t meet at The Armitt museum.
About the mycologist
Helen Speed is a fungi enthusiast who has been fascinated by fungi, in all their forms, for over 30 years. More recently, she has become a Beatrix Potter enthusiast too and would love to revisit all the sites that Beatrix found fungi in to see whether the same species still grow there. She regularly leads forays and delivers talks about fungi (and Beatrix) to groups in the South Lakes. She is a member of North West Fungus Group, Clyde and Argyll Fungus Group, the British Mycological Society and the Fungus Conservation Trust.
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On 5 October 202518:00-19:30We are delighted to bring this project to England this year, marking the 250th anniversary of Turners
Event Details
On 5 October 2025
18:00-19:30
We are delighted to bring this project to England this year, marking the 250th anniversary of Turners birthday. At the invitation of Brantwood, John Ruskin’s home and museum, the exhibition Drawing Along Turner’s Footsteps will take place there and a tour presents the entire cycle of pictures as a concert installation at various locations: The drawings complement, accompany and overlay the soundtrack as originals and as light images. The musical modules will be combined in order to react to the spatial design possibilities of the concert venues: Sometimes the images are chronologically, geographically, or sometimes according to visual or landscape typological possibilities.
The half-hour Graphite Scores is accompanied with second set: A contrasting work by Flora Karetka, using light sources inside the base flutes and a composition by Thomas Mejer for four piccolos.
About the musicians
For several years, the artist Monika Müller has been studying a work by William Turner in the north of England, which she researched on several trips there. The research tours and sketch walks in several stages have resulted in the Ways of Turner, a cycle of 120 drawings, which is based on an unfinished Turner’s unfinished commission to completion.
The saxophonist and composer Thomas K.J. Mejer created graphic scores especially for these drawings. Mejer created Graphite Scores, a modular piece consisting of 120 sounds for four bass flutes. The young quartet Sepia Bass4 with Katrin Szamatulski, Rebecca Blau, Flora Karetka and Ksenija Franeta once again guarantees a fresh and cheeky interpretation.
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17oct6:00 pm7:00 pmWainwright: The Wainwrights in colour with Andy Beck
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On 17th October 202518:00-19:00Over a period of ten years, Teesdale based artist, Andy Beck, undertook a fascinating an unique project on the Lake District Fells –
Event Details
On 17th October 2025
18:00-19:00
Over a period of ten years, Teesdale based artist, Andy Beck, undertook a fascinating an unique project on the Lake District Fells – The Wainwrights in Colour. This task has been to find a locate every single location that master fell walker, Alfred Wainwright, visited to take his photographs for his pen and ink illustrations in his seven Pictoral Guides to the Lakeland Fells. These drawings by Wainwright were produced in the 1950s and 60s so Andy’s detailed watercolour sketches not only add colour to these scenes but also record the changes in the landscape over the past 50 years.
Obtaining every one of these 1500 references has meant that Andy has had to become acquainted with the fells in a more intimate way than most regular walkers. The weather, light and conditions have all played a major part in this challenge which have only added to the back story for this labour of love.
From long days out on the fells covering miles of rough terrain to quiet nights wildcamping on the mountain tops under a star filled sky, Andy has interesting, funny and moving anecdotes to relay that explain the trials and tribulations of this one off personal journey on the Lakeland Fells
This event is in support of the Alfred Wainwright exhibition hosted by The Armitt, co-curated by Chris Butterfield.
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On 28th October 202514:00-15:30 This presentation will provide an overview of the PhD research carried out with the aim of designing and critically evaluating a method to monitor
Event Details
On 28th October 2025
14:00-15:30
This presentation will provide an overview of the PhD research carried out with the aim of designing and critically evaluating a method to monitor visitor behaviour and the physical condition of free-to-enter outdoor heritage sites in Cumbria (Ambleside Roman Fort, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Kendal Castle, Long Meg & Her Daughters Stone Circle, and Shap Abbey). Combining the ‘pencil-and-paper’ method for recording visitor routes and aerial photography & photogrammetry (creating 3D models) to record the physical condition of sites, it has been possible to identify areas of high foot-traffic, soil erosion and in some cases, areas of standing water on site. Knowledge of these areas will help inform future decisions about caring for the sites.
A key output of the research is a cost-effective toolkit for use at heritage sites, to help measure loss at sites. This has been tested by a voluntary group who run and maintain a heritage site, and their results from testing the toolkit will be presented in the presentation.
About the speaker
Ellie Evans is doing her PhD research at the University of Cumbria (Ambleside campus) whilst working as a consultant in museum digitisation in Lancaster. Ellie has an MSc in Conservation Practice from Cardiff University, where she gained experience in carrying out hands-on conservation treatments and collections care practices. In addition, it was where her interest in using photogrammetry to record the condition of heritage assets began (leading to her PhD research).
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29oct10:00 am5:00 pmThe Armitt's Annual Fungi FestEleanor from ForagetheFells and Helen Speed
Event Details
On 29th October 202510:00-17:00Scientific Fungi Walk £15.00Foraging session with ForagetheFells £15.00 Afternoon Presentation: Mycology £6.00Morning Presentation: Foraging £6.00We’re
Event Details
On 29th October 2025
10:00-17:00
Scientific Fungi Walk £15.00
Foraging session with ForagetheFells £15.00
Afternoon Presentation: Mycology £6.00
Morning Presentation: Foraging £6.00
We’re looking forward to hosting Fungi Fest again, this time with more outdoor events. This year we are blending the scientific and entertainment sides of fungi so there is something for everyone.
Morning schedule
10:00 – 12:00 – Scientific fungi walk: Explore the area looking for fungi with a scientific eye
10:00 – 11:00 – Foraging presentation: Enjoy a presentation by Eleanor from ForagetheFells
Afternoon schedule
14:00 – 15:30 – Mycological presentation: Hear from experienced mycologist, Helen Speed
14:00 – 16:00 – Outdoor foraging session: This foraging session with Eleanor from ForagetheFells includes discovering ingredients that grow all around us and a snack
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Scientific Fungi Walk £15.00, Foraging session with ForagetheFells £15.00, Afternoon Presentation: Mycology £6.00, Morning Presentation: Foraging £6.00
TICKETS £15 & £6Event Details
On 8th September 202514:00-15:30£15 Greenside Mine is one of the world’s most famous mines, and this talk will describe its rich history mainly through original photographs from
Event Details
On 8th September 2025
14:00-15:30
£15
Greenside Mine is one of the world’s most famous mines, and this talk will describe its rich history mainly through original photographs from when the mine was working. Travelling from its earliest proven date, to re-opening in 1820, continuously working until 1962, including its connection with the American Civil War, building the village of Glenridding and Greenside, being the first UK metal mine to have an underground electric locomotive and winding engine using hydro electricity in the early 1890s. To the dam burst in 1927, the only source of lead in the Second World War, its place in World History in the late 1950’s and the mine’s impact on the local area over 140 years. The ongoing work, which may determine if the Romans mined there.
The talk is from a personal viewpoint, having family who worked at the mine, with anecdotes of people who worked there.
About the speaker
Warren Allison is from a long-standing mining family on his mother’s side who were copper miners and quarrymen at Coniston in the early 1800s. His Great Great Grandfather, who was a tailor, moved to Glenridding in the mid 1850’s with his sons and subsequent family, including Warren’s mother going to work at Greenside. The family still have a house in Glenridding.
He is currently an Environmental manager at a large food manufacturing company in Carlisle but describes Greenside as his favourite place. He is Chair of the Cumbria Amenity Trust Mining History Society, a charity formed in 1979 dedicated to the better understanding & preservation of historic mining sites (above and below ground) in Cumbria. His passion has been mining for 55 years and has been involved in discoveries in the Lake District of international importance; you could say mining is in his blood.
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12nov2:00 pm4:00 pmTHE BATTLE OF AMBLESIDE: Archaeology Drawing Workshopwith Meg Bowyer
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On 12TH November 202514:00-16:00£10 Meg has worked in many museums and galleries in the North West, and has always been fascinated by the magical objects they contain.
Event Details
On 12TH November 2025
14:00-16:00
£10
Meg has worked in many museums and galleries in the North West, and has always been fascinated by the magical objects they contain. She has also admired the fantastic illustrations of people who discovered and investigated many of these finds.
In this archaeology-themed workshop, we will be drawing from Roman artefacts kept in The Armitt’s collection, inspired by some of the illustrations currently on display. This is a beginner-level workshop suitable for those who have little to no drawing experience, as well as those who have some drawing experience and fancy trying something new!
About the artist
Meg Bowyer is an Artist from Cumbria, currently living in the South Lakes. Her background is in drawing and sculpture, and she undertook a BA in Fine Arts at Lancaster University and a Master’s in Drawing at Paris College of Art. Most of Meg’s work looks at relationships between Cumbrian traditions, industries, and materials. She has ran workshops in drawing, creative writing, and textile sculpture, through Assembly Arts in Lancaster, and is currently undertaking an archival residency program with Signal Film & Media in Barrow.
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13nov4:30 pm6:00 pmWAINWRIGHT: In Wainwright's Footstepswith Derry Brabbs
Event Details
On 13TH November 202516:30-18:00£15 Although Derry had illustrated other countryside books, he was not familiar with the Lakeland Fells, but AW was extremely helpful. Once that first
Event Details
On 13TH November 2025
16:30-18:00
£15
Although Derry had illustrated other countryside books, he was not familiar with the Lakeland Fells, but AW was extremely helpful. Once that first project got underway, Derry’s task was eased by AW’s descriptive writing and, even more importantly, his outline sketch of what each photograph should look like. It was like walking with a hand-drawn ‘sat nav’ that beeped at one’s destination! ‘Fellwalking with Wainwright’ was Derry’s first encounter with the Cumbrian Mountains, but, given that book’s success, it was certainly not his last, and he gradually became more and more familiar with AW’s favourites. It was sad that they could not scale the Fells together due to the author’s physical problems. However, when each mountain had been completed and the film processed, Derry packed his slide projector and screen alongside his equipment and, after a day’s photography, gave an after-dinner “slide-show” at AW’s and Betty’s Kendal home.
About the speaker
Derry Brabbs studied photography at college, and his first job was with TV Times Magazine. He later moved north to work for Yorkshire TV and then went into advertising. A call one day from a London publisher needing a northern-based photographer resulted in Derry being commissioned to illustrate ‘James Herriot’s Yorkshire’. Years later, when researching other potential projects, he realised that the Pennine Way was approaching its 20th anniversary and his publisher suggested Alfred Wainwright as author. They met up with AW and Betty in Buxton and then had a short stroll up the first section of the Pennine Way. AW agreed to do it, but only if Derry first photographed a book on the Lakeland Fells! The next two years were both stressful and memorable as Derry had never set foot on a Lake District mountain nor a bleak pathway through harsh terrain. Both books were successful, and they teamed up to write and illustrate five more.
This event is in support of the Alfred Wainwright exhibition hosted by The Armitt, co-curated by Chris Butterfield.
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On 21ST November 202514:00-15:30£15 Join this very special event to mark 175 years since Charlotte Brontë visited Ambleside to stay with her friend Harriet Martineau at The
Event Details
On 21ST November 2025
14:00-15:30
£15
Join this very special event to mark 175 years since Charlotte Brontë visited Ambleside to stay with her friend Harriet Martineau at The Knoll. Authors Ann Dinsdale and Sharon Wright share why that visit in 1850 is part of their new book Let Me In: The Brontës in Bricks and Mortar. As part of their research, they visited The Armitt and drew inspiration from intriguing items in our Martineau collection. They also discuss the Clergy Daughters’ School in Cowan Bridge – the inspiration for the notorious Lowood in Jane Eyre. Their ground-breaking, beautifully-illustrated book has been described as: ‘A gripping tour through time with the Brontë house detectives.’ The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book-signing by the authors, so perfect for Christmas shopping!
About the authors
Ann Dinsdale, Principal Curator of the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, is an expert on the world-class Brontë collection, appearing on numerous TV and radio programmes, including The One Show, Jonathan Ross’ Myths and Legends and Britain’s Novel Landscapes with Mariella Frostrup. Ann worked with Sally Wainwright and the production team on BBC drama To Walk Invisible. She has written several books and articles on the Brontës.
Sharon Wright is an award-winning journalist and author of the Amazon #1 bestselling biography of Maria Branwell Brontë. She has written for The Guardian, Daily Express, BBC, Glamour, Woman & Home, The Lady, Red and New York Post and appeared on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour and women’s history podcasts. Research for this book resulted in her winning a correction to the Brontë memorial in Westminster Abbey, which made headlines around the world. She was interviewed by Mishal Husain on BBC Radio 4 Today, plus The Times, The Guardian, The Observer and The New York Times.
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22nov2:00 pm3:30 pmWainwrights: The Eastern Fells at Seventywith Chris Butterfield
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On 22ND November 202514:00-15:30£15 On the of 22nd November, join Wainwright archivist Chris Butterfield for a special talk marking the 70th anniversary of The Eastern Fells, 70th
Event Details
On 22ND November 2025
14:00-15:30
£15
On the of 22nd November, join Wainwright archivist Chris Butterfield for a special talk marking the 70th anniversary of The Eastern Fells, 70th anniversary of The Eastern Fells, Alfred Wainwright’s very first Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, alongside curating this year’s landmark exhibition at The Armitt. This talk coincides with the final weeks of the exhibition, which has showcased many rare and personal objects connected to Wainwright’s extraordinary life. Chris will explore Wainwright’s wider legacy, including how Fairfield and Dove Crag, described just a short walk from The Armitt, became the first steps in this epic publishing journey. He will also share his involvement with the newly released 70th Anniversary Edition box sets, created to commemorate this milestone for a new generation of fellwalkers. Chris also talks about upcoming projects and new Wainwright stories. This closing talk offers an opportunity to reflect on Wainwright’s influence and to hear first-hand insights from the archivist behind the exhibition.
About the speaker
A lifelong love of the outdoors and admiration for Alfred Wainwright inspired Yorkshire-born engineer Chris Butterfield to build an archive safeguarding the world-famous fellwalker’s legacy. Assisted by his wife, Priscilla, Chris has amassed one of the most comprehensive private collections of Wainwright material, including original negatives, plates, and rare memorabilia. Chris is the author of Wainwright Memories and has published numerous articles about Wainwright’s life and work. He has also appeared on television and radio to discuss the fellow wanderer’s remarkable achievements. Beyond curating the archive, Chris runs the website alfredwainwright.co.uk and the popular Facebook group Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia, which has grown into a thriving community of enthusiasts.
This event is in support of the Alfred Wainwright exhibition hosted by The Armitt, co-curated by Chris Butterfield.
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25nov2:00 pm3:30 pmARMITT TALK SERIES: Cumbrian Postal Paths with Alan Cleaver
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On 25TH November 202514:00-15:30£6 Author Alan Cleaver re-discovers the routes walked by the rural postmen and women of the 19th and 20th Centuries (the Post Office stopped
Event Details
On 25TH November 2025
14:00-15:30
£6
Author Alan Cleaver re-discovers the routes walked by the rural postmen and women of the 19th and 20th Centuries (the Post Office stopped walking routes in the 1970s). These routes were walked (and sometimes cycled) six days a week in all weathers and could be up to 25 miles long.
Alan looks at the remarkable people who served their communities delivering letters and parcels – and the legacy they have left behind.
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Coming Soon in 2025