Penrith and Eden Museum

A treasure trove for anyone curious about the rich history and culture of the surrounding area, Penrith and Eden Museum showcases the region's culture through its collection and exhibits.

Ancient history

The museum's diverse collection boasts a fossilised footprint from a dinosaur that once roamed the Eden Valley, alongside tools and objects from the Stone Age and Roman eras. A hidden gem of the collection is a trove of over 600 Roman bronze coins, unearthed by a metal detectorist near Shap.

Fine art

Art enthusiasts will find themselves drawn to the museum's fine art collection, featuring Dutch and Flemish landscapes and genre paintings. Locally-renowned 19th-century artist Jacob Thompson is also represented, with his work The Druids Cutting Down the Mistletoe on display, which Art Fund helped the museum purchase.

Local legends

Delve into the lives of the people who have shaped the area through artefacts and historic photographs. Learn about fascinating local personalities like Trooper William Pearson, wrestlers who put Penrith on the sporting map, and the ‘Monocled Mutineer,’ Percy Toplis, whose time on the run came to an end in Penrith.