About Blackwell House
The garden at Blackwell opens on 17 July with Tea on the Terrace. The house is temporarily closed.
Blackwell House Description
One of Britain’s must see historic houses. Blackwell is a beautifully preserved example of Arts & Crafts architecture with stunning stained glass windows and handcrafted features. It was designed by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott as a holiday home for the Holt family in 1898 and remains an ideal retreat into nature. The inviting window seats and garden terraces offer spectacular views of the surrounding Lakeland scenery.
The period rooms are carefully furnished with a blend of Arts and Crafts furniture and contemporary handcrafted pieces. A permanent exhibition explores the Arts & Crafts movement with a display of works by Charles Voysey and William Morris.
Check our website to see what’s on at Blackwell today:
www. blackwell.org. uk
Follow our family Facebook page to find out what's happening across Lakeland Arts:
www. facebook.com/familyfunsouthlakes
Reviews
Have you got 48 hours to fill in the Lake District? Great Little Breaks have put together this super itinerary of cultural sights, activities and dining that will take you from mornings at Holker Hall & Gardens and Blackwell through to delicious dinners. Plenty to whet your appetite! https://www.greatlittlebreaks.com/…/48- hours-in-the-lake-di…
Come and see our Arts & Crafts exhibition of pieces by the Simpsons family of Kendal. Learn about Arthur Simpson and each member or his talented family of five, who all contributed to the Arts & Crafts Movement with their beautiful creations. More info at: https://www.blackwell.org.uk/items/simpso nsfamily/
Hooray, we’ve just had our 10th five star review on Google in two weeks! We love hearing your feedback so please do leave us a review on Google or Tripadvisor.
There’s beautiful views and weather to be enjoyed at Blackwell today. Who is hoping it stays like this for the weekend?
There's a brilliant craft fair coming up in October in Manchester. Pop it in your diaries!
OPEN NOW Grayson Perry spotlight loans. For the first time in Blackwell's history, see three works by Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry located around the house.
Perry’s work confronts and depicts issues surrounding gender, identity, social status, religion and sexuality, while telling stories of individuals and literary heroes intrinsically linked to British identity.
Read more here: https://www.blackwell.org.uk/items/grayso nperry/
NOW OPEN The Simpsons: An Arts & Crafts Family.
This exhibition places The Simpsons family in the context of the Arts & Crafts Movement in the Lake District. The exhibition makes links to Simpson craftsmanship throughout Blackwell and presents work by Arthur Simpson, one of the forgotten masters of Arts & Crafts furniture, embroider and leatherworker, Jane Simpson, their daughter Hilda who produced delicate lace-work, and both sons who became apprentices under their father’s guidance.
Read more here: https://www.blackwell.org.uk/items/simpso nsfamily
PRESS RELEASE The Simpsons: An Arts & Crafts Family
https://www.blackwell.org.uk/press-releas e-the-simpsons-an…/
Bbcnews.com The Westmorland Gazette Cumbria Crack Cumbria Tourism ITV Border
Our brand-new website is now live! Visit it now see the improved, mobile friendly, beautiful design: https://www.blackwell.org.uk
Thank you to Scratch Creative for creating such a brilliant site for us and our visitors.
We are very excited to announce that we are launching a new website for Blackwell that will reflect the beauty and quality of the Arts & Crafts house.
The website will be launched this evening, Monday 17 September. During this period the existing website will be intermittently taken offline so that the transition can take place. It is possible that the website will not be available for short periods this week due to the changes. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time, but we promise that the new website will be worth it. If you have any queries you can contact us on 015394 46139 or email info@blackwell.org.uk
When the new website goes live you will still be able to access it via www.blackwell.org.uk
Find out our latest news including life drawing at Abbot Hall, new exhibitions at Blackwell and a new website
COMING SOON The Simpsons: An Arts & Crafts Family from 21 September.
This exhibition places The Simpsons family in the context of the Arts and Crafts movement in the Lake District. The exhibition makes links to Simpson craftsmanship throughout Blackwell and presents work by Arthur Simpson, one of the forgotten masters of Arts and Crafts furniture, embroider and leatherworker, Jane Simpson, their daughter Hilda who produced delicate lace-work, and both sons who became apprent...ices under their father’s guidance.
Arthur Simpson was born in Cumbria in 1857 he showed an early flair for wood-carving, working in London before returning to establish his famous Handicrafts workshop in Windermere. The superb workmanship of his Arts and Crafts furniture, with its clean simple lines, found a ready market locally.
Jane Simpson, despite a lack of prior experience, found herself to be a natural at embroidery. Wanting to be actively involved in the business and with the encouragement of her husband, Jane produced startling embroideries, leatherwork and needlepoint bedspreads inspired by the natural world around her, beautiful in both their simplicity and attention to detail. Their daughter Hilda also produced embroidery, creating delicate lace-work, and both sons became apprentices under their father’s guidance.
This is the first time an exhibition of work by the Simpsons family has been presented at Blackwell.
See More
There are only two tickets left for our Arthur Simpsons Arts & Crafts Woodworker Evening Tour, led by exhibition Curator, Chelsea Eves. Book your tickets now at www.blackwell.org.uk/simpsonseveningtour< br>
There’s just a few days left to see our summer exhibition Form over Function, which ends 9 September. Rethink the way you see ceramics. More at www.blackwell.org.uk/formoverfunction
Free admission to Museum of Lakeland Life & Industry on 7 and 8 September, plus our other latest news and events in this week's newsletter. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and cast your vote in the poll.
We're open today from 10.30am - 5.00pm. Make the last bank holiday of the year really special with an inspiring day out at Blackwell. Discover the history of Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts movement, and the people who made Blackwell their holiday home. Soak up original arts and crafts features and imagine what life would have been like for the people who have lived here during Blackwell's century old history.
Don't forget to bring the kids too. We have lots of free activities that will get the whole family enjoying this beautiful house.
Blackwell is open daily 10.3 http://ow.ly/Tv4P30lxqRe 0am - 5.00pm, and the Tea Room is open 10.00am - 5.00pm.
If you're in the Lake District this bank holiday weekend, here are 27 great things you could be doing, including a visit to Blackwell: http://ow.ly/c6mQ30lxkMA
Yes loved it superb views and lots of airy sweet rooms and little places to sit by the fires .
IF I won the lottery what could be more satisfying than creating a house like this
Beautifully designed modern area with attention to detail leads you into the stunning styling of the past. The house is very interactive along with activities for children , information boards as well as iPads you can take around with you . If your a fan of art nouveau and deco this is a must see. Many William Morris prices through the house are gorgeous. The views are sublime and don’t forget to look up . Th cafe is fresh and dlcoois and the toilets some of the nicest and cleanest I’ve seen on my trip this time round. Highly recommended
Beautiful view of the Lake. A great example of the Arts and Craft period house.
Beautiful house in peaceful surroundings. Welcoming staff and the time to look around, sit and admire the views and take in the history.
Lovely tea room, if I have one tiny criticism it is that maybe some plainer sandwiches and desserts could be provided for people with egg/dairy allergies. However, that doesn't detract from a 5 star review by us.
A really beautiful and interesting house, with some lovely furniture, paintings and ceramics. Well worth a visit, and the tea room is very good too. Will definitely recommend and return on a future occasion.
We visited particularly for the Wild Cat Wednesday storytelling and my review is based on the Swallows and Amazons side of the experience. The storytelling was marvellous, interactive and very engaging....the storyteller even managed to get a smile or two out of my teenager! My 7 year old loved it having recently read the book and watched the film. All of my children enjoyed the Swallows and Amazons trail and seeing the boats was brilliant. It does get busy though and as we visited on a wet day it probably felt busier as everyone was inside. Beautiful place, stunning views and as kids are free it seemed inexpensive.
Spragg's ceramics exhibition was delightful, the house splendid and the cafe food delicious...not to mention the friendly staff (who were all a little cold due to temporary bolier problems): A lovely visit, thank you.
Interesting Victorian Arts and Crafts influenced house. Restored after being used as a school for many years. Originally designed for the Manchester brewing family "Holt's" as a holiday home. Well worth a visit. Fantastic interior with just enough furniture to be able to imagine your self there for an Edwardian holiday. The little cafe is good with views over the lake (in the summer you can eat in the gardens with a fantastic view).
A couple of hours well spent.
Can I move in, pleeeeeease? Architecturally wonderful, particularly from a photographer’s point of view. Small and perhaps lacking a bit in content (hence the 4 stars), but what there is is wonderful. Worth it for the view from The White Room alone? Superb tea room and gift shop, and lovely staff too. Would go back.
Yes loved it superb views and lots of airy sweet rooms and little places to sit by the fires .
IF I won the lottery what could be more satisfying than creating a house like this
Beautifully designed modern area with attention to detail leads you into the stunning styling of the past. The house is very interactive along with activities for children , information boards as well as iPads you can take around with you . If your a fan of art nouveau and deco this is a must see. Many William Morris prices through the house are gorgeous. The views are sublime and don’t forget to look up . Th cafe is fresh and dlcoois and the toilets some of the nicest and cleanest I’ve seen on my trip this time round. Highly recommended
Beautiful view of the Lake. A great example of the Arts and Craft period house.
Beautiful house in peaceful surroundings. Welcoming staff and the time to look around, sit and admire the views and take in the history.
Lovely tea room, if I have one tiny criticism it is that maybe some plainer sandwiches and desserts could be provided for people with egg/dairy allergies. However, that doesn't detract from a 5 star review by us.
A really beautiful and interesting house, with some lovely furniture, paintings and ceramics. Well worth a visit, and the tea room is very good too. Will definitely recommend and return on a future occasion.
We visited particularly for the Wild Cat Wednesday storytelling and my review is based on the Swallows and Amazons side of the experience. The storytelling was marvellous, interactive and very engaging....the storyteller even managed to get a smile or two out of my teenager! My 7 year old loved it having recently read the book and watched the film. All of my children enjoyed the Swallows and Amazons trail and seeing the boats was brilliant. It does get busy though and as we visited on a wet day it probably felt busier as everyone was inside. Beautiful place, stunning views and as kids are free it seemed inexpensive.
Spragg's ceramics exhibition was delightful, the house splendid and the cafe food delicious...not to mention the friendly staff (who were all a little cold due to temporary bolier problems): A lovely visit, thank you.
Interesting Victorian Arts and Crafts influenced house. Restored after being used as a school for many years. Originally designed for the Manchester brewing family "Holt's" as a holiday home. Well worth a visit. Fantastic interior with just enough furniture to be able to imagine your self there for an Edwardian holiday. The little cafe is good with views over the lake (in the summer you can eat in the gardens with a fantastic view).
A couple of hours well spent.
Can I move in, pleeeeeease? Architecturally wonderful, particularly from a photographer’s point of view. Small and perhaps lacking a bit in content (hence the 4 stars), but what there is is wonderful. Worth it for the view from The White Room alone? Superb tea room and gift shop, and lovely staff too. Would go back.
Yes loved it superb views and lots of airy sweet rooms and little places to sit by the fires .
IF I won the lottery what could be more satisfying than creating a house like this
Beautifully designed modern area with attention to detail leads you into the stunning styling of the past. The house is very interactive along with activities for children , information boards as well as iPads you can take around with you . If your a fan of art nouveau and deco this is a must see. Many William Morris prices through the house are gorgeous. The views are sublime and don’t forget to look up . Th cafe is fresh and dlcoois and the toilets some of the nicest and cleanest I’ve seen on my trip this time round. Highly recommended
Beautiful view of the Lake. A great example of the Arts and Craft period house.
Beautiful house in peaceful surroundings. Welcoming staff and the time to look around, sit and admire the views and take in the history.
Lovely tea room, if I have one tiny criticism it is that maybe some plainer sandwiches and desserts could be provided for people with egg/dairy allergies. However, that doesn't detract from a 5 star review by us.
A really beautiful and interesting house, with some lovely furniture, paintings and ceramics. Well worth a visit, and the tea room is very good too. Will definitely recommend and return on a future occasion.
We visited particularly for the Wild Cat Wednesday storytelling and my review is based on the Swallows and Amazons side of the experience. The storytelling was marvellous, interactive and very engaging....the storyteller even managed to get a smile or two out of my teenager! My 7 year old loved it having recently read the book and watched the film. All of my children enjoyed the Swallows and Amazons trail and seeing the boats was brilliant. It does get busy though and as we visited on a wet day it probably felt busier as everyone was inside. Beautiful place, stunning views and as kids are free it seemed inexpensive.
Spragg's ceramics exhibition was delightful, the house splendid and the cafe food delicious...not to mention the friendly staff (who were all a little cold due to temporary bolier problems): A lovely visit, thank you.
Interesting Victorian Arts and Crafts influenced house. Restored after being used as a school for many years. Originally designed for the Manchester brewing family "Holt's" as a holiday home. Well worth a visit. Fantastic interior with just enough furniture to be able to imagine your self there for an Edwardian holiday. The little cafe is good with views over the lake (in the summer you can eat in the gardens with a fantastic view).
A couple of hours well spent.
Can I move in, pleeeeeease? Architecturally wonderful, particularly from a photographer’s point of view. Small and perhaps lacking a bit in content (hence the 4 stars), but what there is is wonderful. Worth it for the view from The White Room alone? Superb tea room and gift shop, and lovely staff too. Would go back.