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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.
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
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.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
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319 reviewsCarlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
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1650 reviewsGrasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
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968 reviewsBrampton
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish Borders, Eden Valley, and English Lake District, so it should be no surprise that we have a wealth of artistic talent to call upon.
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7 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.
Kendal
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging from the 1700's to the present. In our refreshed collection galleries discover the stories of our extraordinary collection pieces and the people…
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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142 reviewsBrampton
Born and bought up in Yorkshire, Charlie and his family moved to Cumbria more than forty years ago, drawn by memories of many summers spent on the shores of Ullswater at Sandwick Bay.
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Boot, 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.
Cross Lane, Kendal
Cross Lane Projects is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new work by Lee Holden, winner of the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2022/23.
This exhibition was developed over the preceding year by Lee Holden (b.1972, Accrington, Lancashire, UK),…
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 reviewsKendal
Regional artists know all too well how few spaces are available to show their work, so the recent opening of this large gallery space in Kendal is an exciting new addition to the Lakeland arts scene. With around a hundred square metres of space, the…
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142 reviewsKendal
Forge Festival 2024 is an ambitious young person-led festival with young creatives and early career artists from across Cumbria all performing exciting pieces of original live performance in response to the theme 'Our Human Connection to the Natural…
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…
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…
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
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 reviewsKendal
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock Solid?2 from 9th May to 29th June. This exhibition at the People's Gallery, Kendal Museum will run alongside a series of events including an art trail…
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