Page 307 - demo

The Cumberland Pencil Company A huge storm in the early 1500s uprooted trees in the
Borrowdale Valley, revealing a soft grey substance, graphite, the basis of all black “lead”
pencils. By the 1800s pencil making in Keswick was a thriving cottage industry.

The Cumberland Pencil Company created its first pencil in 1832 and the first Derwent art colour
pencil was introduced in 1938. The Pencil Museum stands on the site of the original factory in
Keswick. Visitors enter the museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as
the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago. The museum traces the course of
graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day
production.

Ullswater. To the east of Keswick lies Ullswater, the
second longest lake in the Lake District in one of the
prettiest of woodland settings. Being less heavily
trafficked than Keswick is one of the main attractions,
along with steamer trips, outdoor adventure activities
and walks ranging from an easy stroll to
mountaineering on the climb to the top of Helvellyn.

It was at Glencoyne Park on the shores of Ullswater
(pictured) that gave William Wordsworth the
inspiration to write his most famous poem, ‘Daffodils‘.

Click here for an interactive map of the area

Navigation Notes

Routes 5 and 6 on the map.