As tourism businesses across Cumbria continue to re-open, residents and visitors are being encouraged to discover the county’s rich arts and cultural offering, which is in critical need of support.

From museums and theatres to poets and writers, Cumbria offers some of the country’s finest cultural experiences, perfectly complementing the county’s world famous landscape.

Earlier this month, Cumbria saw the re-opening of the tourism and hospitality sector, with further enthusiasm following the recent news that performing arts can take place outdoors.

Among attractions to begin to welcome visitors back, is Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery which began its phased reopening last week after three and a half months since being temporarily closed due to the pandemic in March.

However, many indoor arts venues remain closed due to coronavirus social distancing measures.

Lakeland Arts, which operates several cultural sites including Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories and The Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry, is beginning its own phased re-opening campaign, starting with both Blackwell’s garden terrace and the Windermere Jetty café this Friday.

With visitors being able to enjoy views across Coniston and Windermere respectively, Lakeland Arts is urging people to support the cultural sector by paying a visit, despite Blackwell House and Windermere Jetty Museum themselves remaining closed at this stage.

Elizabeth Moss, Lakeland Arts Chief Operating Officer, said: “Many cultural organisations like cinemas, theatres and museums were among the first to be temporarily closed to the public as a result of Covid-19. Having lost such a large part of the season already it is essential to our business that we are able to make up lost ground over the remaining summer months and extending this into autumn and winter.”

Last week’s announcement that performing arts can now be held outdoors as long as social distancing measures are maintained among each performance’s limited audience numbers, was immediately embraced at Muncaster Castle, which held a one-off performance at the weekend, developed by its very own jester.

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism Gill Haigh said: “Cumbria’s arts and culture offering is world class, vibrant and varied. From Tullie House, Lakeland Arts, Wordsworth, the Brewery Arts Centre, Rosehill Theatre and Theatre by the Lake just to name a few, we have a fantastic arts and cultural offer, but to ensure their survival, we need to see continued strong support. To keep visitors and staff safe, full risk assessments have been carried out, conforming with government guidelines.”

Cumbria Tourism’s ‘MyCumbria’ cardholders can do their bit while making savings at the same time, thanks to many arts and cultural offers for attractions across the county, including 2 for 1 ticket offers and other discounts of up to 50%.

“Residents and visitors really can play a huge role in this recovery," Gill Haigh continues.

"With many venues offering food and drink facilities, even just popping in for a drink and a bite to eat can really help. Cumbria’s arts and culture attractions are all family-friendly too."