This one one of those attractions we found just by browsing places to go to near to where we were. We do like visiting places that are a bit unusual but we were not sure what to expect here. I am glad we went, your ticket is a pencil which you get to keep as a souvenir (one for each member of your party). I am not going to go into much of what we experienced as not going to spoil it for anyone but we had a great time. I had no idea where pencils originated from or how oddly fascinating their history is. One you have made your way around the museum it leads you tot he gift shop which also has a tearoom for soup, sandwiches and cakes as well as hot or cold drinks to wash them down with. If you are looking for something a little different or just a place to visit while in the area, then I highly recommend a wee trip here. We really enjoyed it and the food was good too.

Had such a great visit to this museum. Thought it was a lovely touch that you receive a free pencil as part of the entry price. There was a well thought out quiz to answer as we went round and a gift for completing. The exhibits were very interesting and well presented.

Absolutely loved this wee place! Really good food in cafe and both food and entry price were very reasonable. Exhibits were very interesting and the age appropriate quizzes kept me and my daughter (7) amused for a good hour. Gift shop was lovely and tbh so nice not to see the usual tat and teddies for sale! Superb effort(just a wee shame the pencil factory no longer operates there 😭)

This museum is not what I expected. It’s mostly educational, but it does not have many interactive projects or visual demonstrations. I appreciate how many different pencils they have displayed, as well as the various merchandise and products related to the pencil-making process that were shown. They also have a few colored pencil artworks exhibited on the wall, which are quite extraordinary. However, I think they could have hired a few more employees, presented the visitors with the process of making penciled in pencils, and let us try to make pencils ourselves. Just seeing different materials for pencil making is not enough for visitors to imagine how pencils were born. Additionally, their art shop is quite good, although all their products say they are on discount but they are actually overpriced.

Heard about this from a friend and originally thought I was having my leg pulled. Surely there couldn't be an entire museum dedicated solely to the humble pencil? How wrong was I! This is the real deal and a seriously good trip out for children and adults alike. Takes you on a journey through the history of pencils, from beginning as a lump of graphite wrapped in leather used by shepherds to mark their sheep (see I really was paying attention), right up to the present day and the seemingly endless range of artists pencils now available. The addition of a quiz sheet for everyone even the adults seemed a bit odd at first. But it was an absolute genius move that compelled everyone to engage with the exhibits in search of answers. I don't think I saw anybody not frantically scribbling down answers with the pencil that doubled as their entry ticket. No spoilers but the last question will properly test your pencil skills. World longest (and I would guess largest) pencil, and a collection of micro pencil sculptures are other highlights. My only disappointment here was that they had sold out of the replica wartime map and compass pencil. A fascinating item that made a genuine and important contribution to our own history. If you are visiting Keswick purely for the museum then use the on site parking. It is slightly cheaper than the in town option. The museum does get busy and there was barely any elbow room as people gathered around some of the exhibits, so you need to be prepared to share a bit of personal space. But if you are okay with that then there really is every reason to recommend a visit.