Lunchtime Talks at Kendal Museum: A Gothic Novelist on Tour

Join Dr Penny Bradshaw, Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Cumbria, for an engaging talk on Ann Radcliffe’s 1794 tour of the Lake District. As one of the most celebrated Gothic novelists of her time, Radcliffe’s journey offers a fascinating insight into early tourism and its influence on literary responses to landscape.

The talk will highlight key moments from her travels—including her ascent of Skiddaw, reflections on Kendal, and the dramatic crossing of Lancaster Sands—exploring how these experiences paved the way for Romantic approaches to place, later shaped by poets like Wordsworth.

Dr Bradshaw is a specialist in regional Romanticism and the author of a new edition of Observations during a Tour to the Lakes (Hobnob Press, 2024). Signed copies of her book with be available for purchase after the event.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday October 25th, 1:00 - 2:00PM

Venue: Kendal Museum

Price: £10 General Admission, £6 for under 16s/students

PLEASE NOTE: Unfortunately the venue is accessible only via a staircase, so is not suitable for wheelchair users. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.