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Derwent Pencil Museum

Welcome to the Derwent Pencil Museum: home of the world's first pencil!

Welcome to the Derwent Pencil Museum: home of the world's first pencil!
Welcome to the Derwent Pencil Museum: home of the world's first pencil!

Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago. A journey of graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day production.

Discover our secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps; one of the largest colour pencils in the world measuring almost 8 metres; The Queen's diamond Jubilee pencil; miniature pencil sculptures; and much much more!

We also have a Derwent Fine Art retail shop, run art workshops and there is a coffee shop with free wi-fi. A great day-out for the family and we look forward to welcoming you.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates and the latest news. We are now on Instagram!

Upcoming Workshops & Classes

New for September 2017: Children's Saturday Morning Beginners Art classes aimed at children 8 years old and above. A four-week taster course learning drawing techniques and skills (10.00-11.30 am). Course fee £40.00. For more details and to book, please call the Museum 017687 73626.

Dorothy Ramsey

26-28 September: Dorothy Ramsey Demonstration & Workshop

Dorothy is an expressive landscape artist inspired by the beautiful Cumbrian mountains; she likes to work in Derwent XL Charcoal/Graphite and Graphitint ranges.

The artist will run a free 1-hour ‘taster’ demonstration on the first day prior to the workshop. Workshops are a one-day course which includes morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tasty treats, and refreshments throughout the day, plus an additional 10% discount on Derwent retail products. All art materials are supplied for every course. Priced at £75.00 per workshop.

Places are restricted to 12 people so, do book ahead to avoid disappointment: to book phone 017687 73626.

The Drawing Circus

Thurs 26th October: The Family Drawing Circus

Come and join the models and artists of the Drawing Circus for a day of circus themed family drawing at Derwent Pencil Museum! To celebrate the national Big Draw Festival our elaborately costumed models will pose for families to draw together, telling a story in still poses over the course of an hour. All ages and abilities are welcome and all materials will be supplied as part of the event.

The Drawing Circus are a troupe of artists and models who put on themed drawing events for all ages and abilities, encouraging everybody to pick up a pencil and draw! The session will be led by artist Jake Spicer, author of Draw Faces in Fifteen Minutes. Register your interest on Facebook to book a place for any one of the four available time slots: 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm. **CALL 01768 773626 to book your slot**