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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.
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
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…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
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.
Kendal
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…
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…
Kendal
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an extraordinary period in the history of both Ambleside and the Royal College of Art, when two disparate communities – one, essentially conservative,…
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 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.
Grasmere
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 reviewsHawkshead
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!
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.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
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319 reviewsAmbleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
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.
Ambleside
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the best arts and crafts in the Lakes and Britain today, including wall art, glass, wood and ceramics.
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20 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
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity.
The exhibition contains 42 contemporary giclee prints made from scans of Cahun’s original photographic self-portraits.
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178 reviewsKendal
Theresa Taylor is an artist based in Lancaster, at the edge of the Bowland Fells.
She works out of her studio and is a member of Artlab Contemporary Print Studios, University of Central Lancashire, where she completed her MA in 2015. Theresa is…
Carlisle
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 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.
Carlisle
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its characters, in a new exhibition.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
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1066 reviewsGrasmere
With its beautiful, dramatic scenery and rich history it is easy to understand why people are drawn to the Lake District. The tourist industry has not always resembled what it is now, in fact William and Dorothy Wordsworth witnessed a dramatic…
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968 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
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