News and Events
Closure of all Cumbria Archive Centres for staff training and stocktaking
All Cumbria Archive Centres will be closed from Wednesday 26 November 2025 for two weeks and will reopen as normal on Wednesday 10 December 2025.
This is for staff to undertake important salvage training and stocktaking work. Please note that there may be delays with responses to email enquiries, telephone calls and digitisation requests during this period.
Fading Fires film
This short, documentary film was created in 2024 by Benjamin Bogorad and looks at the decline of West Cumbria's heavy industries through the eyes of a former steelworker and coal miner. It features material from the British Steel Company collection, which is held at Whitehaven Archives. The film was selected at a number of film festivals, earning both Jury Prize and Finalist awards.
Read all about the traditions and competitions of Egremont Crab Fair
The town of Egremont hosts an annual Crab Fair at harvest time. The fair includes the venerable traditions of climbing the greasy pole, Cumberland Wrestling, the parade of the apply cart and the renowned World Gurning Championship. You can learn more about this and other curious British competitions on the Library On website (the British Library's spotlight on special collections) which features material from Whitehaven Archives.
Cumbria Archives' latest newsletter is out now!
Read all about it here (PDF, 5.54MB) or flick through the flipbook version
Changes to access to records at Kendal Archive Centre
The following Kendal collections have been moved on a temporary basis to Barrow Archive Centre and are available to consult there.
WDAW: Alfred Wainwright
WDMDS: Mike Davies-Shiel papers
WDRY: Le Fleming of Rydal Hall
WDTE: Browne family of Townend, Troutbeck (Westmorland)
WDVAS: Josefina de Vasconcellos
Kendal Archives Centre will provide an interim public service from the Herdwick Room in the local studies library at Kendal Library, Stricklandgate, Kendal LA9 4PY. Please note the following important changes to our service:
- Please book an appointment and request records at least 72 hours before your intended visit as researcher spaces are limited in the Herdwick Room
- Our opening hours will change to Wednesdays to Fridays, 10am-4pm (no lunch closure)
- We cannot offer a drop in service at the Herdwick Room - an appointment will be required
- Our contact details will remain the same
- We can arrange deposits at County Offices by prior appointment. Please contact us for further details.