Carlisle’s Tullie is set to unveil its new spaces later this month.
The museum has transformed its welcome area and entrance, created a new shop and a newly developed Carlisle Gallery, which will showcase the history of the city.
It will officially open on April 26.
Tullie worked with De Matos Ryan Architects, the celebrated design team behind the recent redevelopment of the Young V&A.
The redesigned Carlisle Gallery will highlight the breadth and variety of objects in the museum’s care, exploring themes such as the wild, social, industrial, and revolutionary forces that have shaped the city.
The space invites visitors to discover the personal stories, struggles, and triumphs of the communities that have called Carlisle home.
A key feature of the gallery will be Faunus, a thought-provoking new artwork by local artist Nicole Bishop.
Inspired by the earliest biodiversity records from the Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre recorded in 1512, Faunus offers a contemporary interpretation of Carlisle’s natural heritage.
The new welcome space will feature Serena Korda’s Hold Fast, Stand Sure, I Scream a Revolution — a striking, large-scale ceramic mushroom installation suspended from the ceiling.
It was acquired with support from Arts Council England, the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund, the Henry Moore Foundation, and Arts&Heritage.
The transformation also includes the revitalisation of Café Tullie, which reopened in February 2025 and has already proved to be hugely popular with locals and visitors.
The new full menu for the café will be launching along with the opening of these new spaces and will feature street food, along with familiar favourites.
The new museum shop will feature a selection of locally made, bespoke products, which take inspiration from the museum collection.
It is the first time that the museum has had a high-street presence.
As part of the work, the Grade I listed gatehouse has also undergone a major restoration with funding from Historic England.
The building has now been removed from the Heritage at Risk register following a full refurbishment, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The work is part of a phased plan to transform Tullie for future generations.
Later this year, work will begin on the next phase of the project, this time focused on the museum’s first-floor gallery spaces and creation of new learning facilities.
The museum will remain open and continue to host exhibitions.
The project has been made possible with funding by the Government, including support from the Government’s Town Fund and Future High Streets Fund.
It was further supported with £2 million public funding from the Government administered by Arts Council England.
The refurbishment of Café Tullie has been supported by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A grant from Historic England supported a full refurbishment of Tullie’s gatehouse.
Tullie, which has been an independent charitable trust since 2011, is owned by Cumberland Council and managed by Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Trust.
Direct funding from the council alongside funding secured from the Government has already contributed nearly £4 million towards Project Tullie.
