On Monday 7 December at 8am, following two lockdowns and some exciting work, Rheged reopens its doors - Covid-19 restrictions permitting.

Sarah Dunning, Chair of Westmorland Familycommented:

“After the pandemic caused us to close in March, we took the opportunity to remain closed for several months andmake some improvements to our place. I speak for the whole team when I say how excited we areto welcomepeople back to ‘meetagain’ safely.”

Rheged reopens with a new café and restaurant as its centrepiece.

The 100-seat café on the ground floor has a pizza oven and new family-friendly all-day menu that spotlights the best food and drink from our area.

A relaxed place tomeetsocially or for work, the spacious café is open from breakfast until evening, offering simple, classic and more inventive dishes in both adults’ and children’s portions.

The Great Print Exhibition returns for a remarkable sixth year. The largest exhibition of printmaking in the UK opens on Monday 7 December 2020 and runs until Sunday 7 March 2021in Rheged’s state-of-the-artgallery.

Over the last five years, the show has gained an excellent reputation for showcasing both established and emerging print artists. The sixth exhibition is no exception: more than 900 original prints by 65 artists from around the UK are featured, including nine artists from Cumbria, among them Sarah Cemmick, Polly Marix Evans, Mark Pearce and Alan Stones. Entry will be free but limited to advance online bookings (available soon) to ensure social distancing.

Rheged’s shops are loved by people who seek out the beautiful, the unusual, the ethical, the local and the crafted. All the shops on the ground, first and second floor are restocked and reopen, ready to help Christmas shoppers find meaningful presents among distinctive collections of food, clothing, skincare, homeware, toys, textiles and artwork.

Rheged’s independent cinema also reopens in December. The 60-foot giant screen offers an immersive experience unique among cinemas in the region, while the large auditorium offers the joy of escape into a movie with the reassurance of being well spaced from other households and bubbles.

To ensure social distancing and keep customers and colleagues safe, the team has taken the difficult decision to keep both indoor and outdoor play areas closed for now. Rheged is all too aware of how much families value these areas and will keep the situation under review as Covid-19 restrictions evolve.

At the end of a difficult year, things are far from returning to normal. But as Rheged throws open its doors to the community it has missed so much, the team looks forward to welcoming old friends andmeeting new ones in 2021.

Opening hours

Rheged: 8am-9pm daily.

Café: 8am-9pm. Table service.No booking necessary.

Shops and Gallery: 9am to 5.30pm daily (9pm on Thursdays in December)

Filling Station: 6am-10pm daily.

Information

Entry is free. Gallery entrance is free but limited to advance online bookings by time slot to ensure social distancing.

Customers are asked to observe social distancing and wear face coverings at all times unless seated in the café.

To stay up to date with reopening progress, follow Rheged on Facebook and Instagram. For more information or to book Great Print Exhibition tickets, visit rheged.com