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The Lake District, Cumbria, has provided inspiration for a whole host of artists throughout the years, so it may come as no surprise that we’ve got a rich arts and crafts scene across the area! Here, you’ll find a range of art galleries and exhibition spaces that host an ever-changing calendar of works in virtually every medium.
Discover pieces by local and nationally known artists at venues including independent galleries and studios, to museums and seasonal fairs. Some offer the chance to take a piece home with you, while others host regularly changing exhibitions as well as permanent art collections.
There’s even the opportunity to check out art in the great outdoors: there’s a sculpture trail at Grizedale Forest, for example, as well as open air exhibitions as part of festivals and events throughout the year.
If you fancy trying it for yourself, several galleries and studios also host workshops and classes. Often, you’ll be able to get inspired by the stunning natural surroundings of your venue as you learn a new skill or hone existing abilities.
As well as viewing some fantastic art pieces, here in Cumbria we also invite you to explore the studios and workshops where that work was made; and even meet the artists who create it.
Keep an eye out, too, for touring exhibitions to see something a little different while in the Lake District, Cumbria. Discover our galleries and exhibitions below.
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Theresa Taylor is an artist based in Lancaster, at the edge of the Bowland Fells. She works out of…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
New for our programme of creative classes, a chance to learn some sewing techniques with a takeaway…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 66
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Stramongate, Kendal
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions and remarkable people....made by 4,000 people. Facilities: Gift Shop, Cafe, Audio guides, Films, Interactive Displays, Children's Activities.
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191 reviewsConiston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
Brampton
Daniel Hester is an artist/musician exploring and working in a variety of disciplines, currently focused on fine art, original folk music and nature photography.
Penrith
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
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134 reviewsBoot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
Penrith
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which celebrates and promotes the best of Northern Art.
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Sizergh, Kendal
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman. You'll discover 40 large format panels displayed along our family and accessible farm trail. Low Sizergh Barn is one of the farms…
Barrow-in-Furness
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next exhibition, Psychogeology, opening at Barrow Market on Saturday the 4th of May.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
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102 reviewsPenrith
An unrivalled range of 1,2 and 3 day courses in the Arts, Crafts, Heritage skills, Baking, Textiles, Raku pottery, Wood /Stone carving, Willow & Wire, Ceramics, Glass, Silver and much much more.
Penrith
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the concept of a giant Fell pony on the side of Blease Fell in the Tebay Gorge area as well as the Epona Community Engagement Project; a new cultural…
Hawkshead
Come and discover all that Grizedale has to offer – take in Lake District landscapes, experience a whole range of contemporary art and enjoy an adventure, no matter your age!
Sedbergh
What is a space?
Where are the spaces?
Who fills the spaces and why?
Nolitex have been exploring these issues and invites viewers to consider the spaces they fill.
NOLITEX, (Notts. Lincs. Textile Artists) is a group of artists which promotes textile…
Sedbergh
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local artists Gina Tawn and Ann Evans collaborate to make a new collection of work.
The work considers and explores the human and mythological connections…
Kendal
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The Museum has a long history in Kendal Town and has occupied various sites but has been at its current location (previously a wool warehouse) since 1913.
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141 reviewsSedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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247 reviewsThe Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Halima Cassell returns to Blackwell after 10 years with a mesmerising exhibition showcasing a large selection ceramic sculptures, drawings, collages and wallpapers.
Since her exhibition at Blackwell in 2011, Halima Cassell has become an…
Troutbeck, Windermere
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years of family documents. Explore snippets of young Ben Browne's life in the 1700's, after he moved from the Lake District to London, in letters sent to…
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