This evening Jaclyn and I attended a private viewing of the new Alfred Wainwright Exhibition at the Armitt Museum in Ambleside. What a wonderful display of rare artifacts created by Chris Butterfield with help from his wife Priscilla. Huge congratulations Chris, it looks amazing mate.
“The Armitt museum and Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia are thrilled to announce a collaborative and co-curated exhibition dedicated to the legendary Alfred Wainwright.
Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt museum from February to December 2025. Starting 12 February and running throughout 2025 until 20 December at the museum in Ambleside, this exhibition will be an unmissable event for Wainwright aficionados and those new to his work. As we approach the 70th anniversary of The Eastern Fells, Wainwright’s first Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, this exhibition will provide an unparalleled exploration of his publishing journey.
Ambleside holds a special significance in Wainwright’s story. It was here, in 1952, that he began his fieldwork for his first guidebook, starting with the Fairfield Horseshoe. The route to Dove Crag, the first fell he described, is just a short walk from The Armitt, situating the museum at the heart of Wainwright’s iconic journey.
Thanks to Titus Wilson of Kendal, archivist Chris Butterfield oversees a vast collection of original Westmorland Gazette Wainwright book printing materials and other special objects collected over many years. Enhanced by generous contributions from the Cumbria Archives, Kendal Museum, and other contributors, this unique exhibition will chronicle his history across different aspects of his life, showcasing original artwork, book printing negatives, plates, gold blocking, and an original manuscript and objects owned/used by Wainwright. The exhibition will also feature materials from his various projects during his later years, providing a comprehensive look at his creative process.
Also, in January 2025, a new 70th Anniversary Edition box set of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells will be published. Seven decades after the series began, Wainwright’s iconic guidebooks remain unparalleled works of art and continue to be the definitive reference to the Lakeland Fells. Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia has agreed with book publisher Frances Lincoln to produce this new reprint, incorporating several enhancements and updated prelims.
Opening date: Wednesday 12 February, 10:30am
Closing date: Saturday 20 December, 4pm
Opening days/times: The museum will have different opening days/times during the year so please check The Armitt’s website
Admission: £7 adults, £4 students, free for under 16s
www.armitt.com
Telephone 015394 31212
The Armitt Museum, Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9BL”
The Westmorland Gazette
