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A dog peering around a garden wall.

Dog Friendly Days

By News

Following our Dog Friendly Trial Week we have an announcement to make…

Back at the end of June to the start of July we hosted a Dog Friendly Trial Week. A huge thank you to everyone who visited us as part of this. Over the course of the week we were delighted to be visited by eleven well behaved dogs (and their humans)!

As the week went so well, we will be having a couple of Dog Friendly Days at The Devil’s Porridge Museum every week!

Dog Friendly Days

On Thursdays and Sundays, well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans!

Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café, but you continue to be welcome to sit outside our Café with a pet dog, or even in our Anderson shelter.

Guide and assistances dogs will continue to be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum and our Cafe every day.

If you’d rather visit us at a time when there is less likely to be dogs in our museum we ask that you please avoid Thursdays and Sundays, or if you’re planning to visit us with a dog we’d ask that you please come on a Thursday or a Sunday.

You’d be welcome to contact us if you have any further questions or concerns about this prior to your visit. You can email us on info@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021.

Visiting With a Dog? Here’s What to Do…

To help everyone enjoys their visit and look after our museum we do ask that you keep your dog on a lead at all times, keep all paws on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on artifacts, people, or furniture please!) and if your dog makes a mess you clean it up. Please be mindful of other visitors and respect our museum artifacts. If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will politely be asked to leave or have a break from your visit.

Many of our museum’s team our dog-lovers and understand that our furry friends may need a break from time to time. Therefore, we would like to remind you that you are allowed in and out of The Devil’s Porridge Museum as many times as you would like on the day you have paid to visit us.

Things to be Aware of…

  • Our dog friendly days will be on Thursday and Sunday every week.
  • On Thursday and Sunday, well-behaved, dry dogs on a lead will be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum with their human(s).
  • Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout their visit.
  • Guide and assistance dogs will continue to be welcome into our museum every day.
  • Only guide and assistance dogs inside our Café.
  • Pet dogs are welcome to sit outside our Café or in the Anderson shelter with their human(s), but not inside the Café please.
  • Paws must be kept on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on people, artifacts, or furniture please).
  • If your dog makes a mess, you clean it up.
  • Please be mindful of other visitors and museum artifacts.
  • If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will be politely asked to leave or take a break.
  • Usual admission prices and opening hours apply.

 

Some young people sat around a table painting Warhammer miniatures. A volunteer is stood up at the end of the table and another is sat painting.

We’re Looking For Young Volunteers!

By News

We’re looking for young people (aged 15 to 25) who would like to bring their viewpoints, creativity, ideas, and enthusiasm to our work at the museum.  We have new opportunities for volunteers who would like to work on projects, such as developing an exciting events programme, caring for and researching our fascinating artefacts and archives, podcasting and making videos, or creating new exhibitions and making our displays even more engaging.

This is a great way to get experience of the world of museums, with lots of skills being transferable to other fields of work.  We offer full support and mentoring too.  We can be flexible to find days and times for volunteering to suit you and we can often help with your expenses in getting to the museum to volunteer.  All of this is possible thanks to generous support from Young Start and The Holywood Trust who help create exciting opportunities for young people.

So, if you’d like to find out more, email our Youth and Community Engagement Officer, Tom Hughes, at education@devilsporridge.org.uk or call 01461 700021

 

Poster for a Summer 2026 exhibition at The Devil's Porridge Museum. This reads: "When the state took over the pubs. Discover the fascinating story of why the government took control of all the pubs in Carlisle and district why they made the beer weaker and the pubs drab. Find out how they closed hundreds of drinking dens and engaged a man to design fifteen new model inns and set the standard for pubs throughout the country and finally how it all ended. The poster includes photos and illustrations of State Management Pubs from the past, some state management bears, labels, some photos of people in the past, a newspaper article and the front page of a document called A Bill.

State Management Exhibition 2026

By Current Exhibition

What to Expect at The State Management 2026 Exhibition

Discover the fascinating story of why the government took control of all the pubs in Carlisle and district why they made the beer weaker and the pubs drab. Find out how they closed hundreds of drinking dens and engaged a man to design fifteen new model inns and set the standard for pubs throughout the country.

You will see State Management items from The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s collection, plus illustrations of State Management Pubs created by Malcom Little.

This exhibition was compiled by Malcom Little. Recently, he has been working on a project to illustrate all fifteen Harry Redfern pubs and publish a book ‘Carlisle’s Pubs, The Devil’s Porridge and Harry Redfern.’ This book and project led to the exhibition that we’re now proud to have at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

We are also proud to have Malcom’s book and prints of his artwork on sale at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

 

Other Things to be Aware of…

This exhibition is included in your entry into The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You can check out The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s latest opening hours and admission prices by clicking here>   

Some children gathered in an Anderson Shelter. Some are holding suitcases.

Air Raids Day

By Archive

Join us for some FREE Air Raids Day activities at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

When is Air Raids Day?

Thursday 9th July 2026.

Morning session: 11am to 12.30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

What Will be Happening?

Get hands on with history during our Air Raids Day. Make your own gas mask, practice your air raid drill and visit our Anderson Shelter. You’ll even have the chance to handle original wartime artefacts and much more!

This free activity for families will take place in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s education room (other than visiting our Anderson Shelter), just drop in to take part in either the morning or afternoon session. No need to book!

These activities are free, but usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

 

You might also be interested in…

Two people sticking their heads into a seaside themed painting of two people riding donkeys. This is a black and white photo.

Beside the Seaside

By Archive

Free drop-in seaside themed activities for all the family to enjoy.

When is Beside the Seaside?

Friday 10th July 2026

Morning session: 11am to 12.30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

What is Beside the Seaside?

Enjoy some old fashioned seaside themed activities at The Devil’s Porridge Museum with hook-a-duck and buzzer wire games, painted photo scene, windmill and flag making and more.

Drop in any time between 11am and 12.30pm or 2pm and 3.30pm. These family activities are free, usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around all The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

A man wearing a suit holding a small dog. This is a black and white photo from the past.

Dog Friendly Trial Week

By Archive

When is our Dog Friendly Trial Week?

Monday 29th June 2026 to Sunday 5th July 2026.

10am to 4.30pm with last entry into The Devil’s Porridge Museum at 3.45pm.

What to Expect from the Dog Friendly Trial Week?

You’ve been asking. We’ve heard you.

We know dogs are a big part of many families, so we’re having a dog friendly trial week at The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

From Monday 29th June to Sunday 5th of July 2026 well-behaved, dry, dogs on leads will be welcome into our museum with their humans!

To help everyone enjoys their visit and look after our museum we do ask that you keep your dog on a lead at all times, keep all paws on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on artifacts, people, or furniture please!) and if your dog makes a mess you clean it up. Please be mindful of other visitors and respect our museum artifacts. If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will politely be asked to leave or have a break from your visit.

Many of our museum’s team our dog-lovers and understand that our furry friends may need a break from time to time. Therefore, we would like to remind you that you are allowed in and out of The Devil’s Porridge Museum as many times as you would like on the day you have paid to visit us.

Only guide and assistance dogs will be allowed inside The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s Café, but you continue to be welcome to sit outside our Café with a pet dog, or even in our Anderson shelter!

If all goes well with the trial hopefully, we will be able to have more dog friendly days at The Devil’s Porridge Museum in the future!

Things to be Aware of…

  • Our dog friendly trial week is Monday 29th June to Sunday 5th July 2026.
  • During this week, well-behaved, dry dogs will be welcome into The Devil’s Porridge Museum with their human(s).
  • Paws must be kept on the ground throughout your visit (no climbing on people, artifacts, or furniture please).
  • If your dog makes a mess, you clean it up.
  • Please be mindful of other visitors and museum artifacts.
  • If your dog is barking or disturbing other visitors, you will be politely asked to leave or take a break.
  • Usual admission prices and opening hours apply.
  • Only guide and assistance dogs inside our Café.
  • Pet dogs are welcome to sit at the tables outside our Café or in the Anderson shelter with their human(s).

Thank you!

Some triangle On War Service badges and round Women's Police Force Badges for H.M. Factory Gretna on display inside a display case.

Badge Making Workshop

By Archive

When is Badge Making Day?

Tuesday 14th July 2026

Morning session: 11am to 12:30pm

Or

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

 

What Will Be Happening?

Discover some of the badges that were given out at H.M. Factory Gretna and try making two different styles of badges. Plus, you’ll be able to take the badges you make home with you.

This free activity for families will take place in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s education room, just drop in to take part in either the morning or afternoon session. No need to book!

These activities are free, but usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

Three robots made out of Lego. One is humanoid in shape with two legs and eyes. One has wheels and another is snail like. The robots are on a white circle shape. Some Lego is in the background.

FULLY BOOKED – Interactive Lego Robots

By Archive

This activity is now FULLY BOOKED. Thank you for your interest.

When is Interactive Lego Robots?

Thursday 16th July 2026

Morning session: 11am 

OR

Afternoon session: 2pm

This is for 8 to 12 year olds.

Tickets for this activity FREE, but booking is essential. To book your place please press ‘Book Now’ and select Interactive Lego Robots. You can choose to book either the morning or afternoon session.

If you need help booking please contact 01461 700021

What is Interactive Lego Robots?

Build and program Lego robots in this fun FREE workshop!

Try out some simple coding using Lego WeDo software on iPads and interactive bricks to make your creations come to life.

This activity is for children aged 8 to 12 years old.

Tickets for this activity are FREE, but booking is essential and places are limited. You can choose to book either the morning or afternoon session

Please be aware that usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

How to book

Tickets are FREE, but booking is essential. To book your place please press ‘Book Now’ and select Interactive Lego Robots. You can choose to book either the morning or the afternoon session.

If you need help booking please contact 01461 700021

Please be aware that usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

An iPad held in two hands and a iPad with colourful dots on it.

Family Coding Workshop

By Archive

When is Family Coding Workshops?

Tuesday 21st July 2026

Morning session: 11am

OR

Afternoon session: 2pm

This is for 8 to 12 year olds.

Tickets for this activity FREE, but booking is essential. To book your place please press ‘Book Now’ and select Family Coding Workshops. You can choose to book either the morning or afternoon session.

If you need help booking please contact 01461 700021

What is Family Coding Workshops?

Discover simple but exciting coding using iPads. You will be using block coding to edit, move and control items on the iPad.

This activity is for children aged 8 to 12 years old.

If there is two or three children in your family who would be happy to work together for this workshop we do ask that you to book only one space. This helps us give more people the opportunity to take part. Thank you!

Tickets for this activity are FREE, but booking is essential and places are limited. You can choose to book either the morning or afternoon session

Please be aware that usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

How to book

Tickets are FREE, but booking is essential. To book your place please press ‘Book Now’ and select Interactive Lego Robots. You can choose to book either the morning or the afternoon session.

If there is two or three children in your family who would be happy to work together for this workshop we do ask that you to book only one space. This helps us give more people the opportunity to take part. Thank you!

If you need help booking please contact 01461 700021

Please be aware that usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to explore The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

A selection of colorful models made out of plasticene including snails, a monster and some spiral designs.

Interactive Storytelling and Clay Modelling

By Archive

When is Interactive Storytelling and Clay Modelling?

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 

Morning session: 11am to 12.30pm

OR

Afternoon session: 2pm to 3.30pm

Drop-in and join us at anytime between either of these sessions.

 

What Will Be Happening?

Join in with our interactive stories, or just sit back and enjoy. Then take inspiration from the tales and create your own character in clay to take home with you.

This is a free family workshop in The Devil’s Porridge Museum’s education room, just drop in to take part in either the morning or afternoon session. No need to book!

These activities are free, but usual admission prices do apply to anyone wishing to look around The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

You might also be interested in…

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