Derwent Pencil Museum
Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick is one of the Lake District’s most unusual and charming attractions, celebrating the history of pencil‑making in the town where the first graphite pencils were produced in the 16th century. One particularly interesting fact is that the museum displays what is claimed to be the world’s longest coloured pencil, stretching nearly eight metres. Another highlight is the story of the secret pencils used during the Second World War—ordinary‑looking pencils that concealed hidden maps for Allied airmen. Inside, visitors begin their journey by walking through a replica graphite mine, evoking the origins of Keswick’s pencil industry. The main galleries showcase historic pencil‑making machinery, early Cumberland pencils, artist tools and beautifully crafted sets produced by the Derwent brand. Exhibits explain how pure Borrowdale graphite once made Keswick famous worldwide. There are also displays on colour production, design techniques and the evolution of pencil technology.
Keswick United Kingdom
The Derwent Pencil Museum is located in Keswick, Cumbria, on the site of the original pencil factory just off the town center near the River Greta. Keswick is where graphite was first discovered in the nearby Borrowdale valley in the 1500s, launching the world’s pencil industry. The museum entrance is through a replica graphite mine, setting the tone for a quirky, family-friendly experience. You’re minutes from Keswick town center, full of outdoor shops, cafés, and pubs. Walk 5 minutes south to reach Keswick Museum in Fitz Park, which has musical stones made from local slate and Lake District history exhibits. The Derwentwater foreshore is a 10-minute walk away. From Crow Park or Hope Park you get wide views across the lake to Cat Bells and the Borrowdale fells. The Keswick Launch ferry runs regular loops around Derwentwater, stopping at key walks like Ashness Landing and Lodore Falls. For more history, head 1.5 miles east to Castlerigg Stone Circle, a 4,500-year-old monument with panoramic mountain views. Theatre by the Lake sits right on the shoreline and hosts year-round performances. And if you want to see where it all started, drive 15 minutes into Borrowdale to visit the quiet hamlet of Seathwaite, once the site of the original graphite mines beneath the fells.
Museum