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  1. Arts & Culture

You are here: Home > Things to Do > Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture

Beauty, brains and exceedingly good taste: the Lake District, Cumbria is the full package. Here we celebrate a living culture that incorporates the past but is rooted firmly in the present. Our history - ancient and more recent - is alive and well in the very Cumbrian landscape, but you can interpret it in our impressive collection of museums that tell Cumbria’s story - from prehistory right through to the modern age.  

There’s an impressive list of radical thinkers and artistic pioneers who found inspiration here – William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, JMW Turner, John Ruskin, Kurt Schwitters, Josefina de Vasconcellos and Andy Goldsworthy. You can walk in their footsteps, visit their homes and explore the rich creative life built on their exceptional heritage.

You can see and feel it within a few short miles: as well as museums and heritage centres there are scores of galleries, exhibitions and artists’ studios; there’s artworks in the mountains and forests; a packed, year-round programme of live theatre performances, independent cinemas and festivals celebrating all manner of creative endeavours, from music to local craft. And yes, we have lots of traditional performance venues, but there’s a particular thrill in attending a show on an outdoor stage in a spectacular setting.  

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Inspiration

  1. Beatrix Potter
    Famous Artists, Poets & Writers
    Cumbria’s beautiful landscapes have long since animated literary imaginations, from Romantic poets to radical thinkers and beyond to some of the 20th century’s most celebrated authors. See the authentic settings where these international names put pen to paper...
  2. What's On in the Lake District, Cumbria
    What's On
    Search cultural, arts and craft events taking place here in the Lake District, Cumbria.
  3. Old Laundry Theatre, Windermere
    Theatre & Live Performance
    It’s no wonder that the Lake District, Cumbria – the inspiration for poets and creative types, is a vibrant centre for the performing arts. There is a fantastic programme of events already booking up fast at our superb theatres and performance venues.
  4. Keswick Alhambra Cinema
    Independent Cinema
    If you are a film buff the Lake District, Cumbria is home to a delightful cluster of independent cinemas showing everything from Hollywood blockbusters to thought-provoking arthouse releases.
  5. Tullie House
    Galleries & Exhibitions
    In Cumbria you’ll find a range of art galleries and exhibition spaces that host a constantly changing menu of works in virtually every medium. It’s nice to see art hanging on a brightly lit wall, or to see beautifully made craftwork on a plinth, but in Cumbria we also invite you to explore the studios and workshops where that work was made, and even to meet the artist that made it.
  6. Kendal Museum
    Museums
    Cumbria’s rich history is ever-present in every village and town, on every fell and deep in every valley, but if you need a little interpretation, then head for one of the county’s many museums.
  7. Kendal - Festival Town
    Festivals
    Whatever the time of year, Cumbria is celebrating something. From music to film and food to beer, Cumbria and the Lake District is home to a wide selection of fantastic festivals. Take a look at our list and find what celebration works for you.
  8. TV & Films
    Gallery of locations
    Gallery of locations around The Lake District, Cumbria that feature in Film and TV productions
  9. Visit Lake District Blog - Arts & Culture articles
    Visit Lake District Blog - Arts & Culture articles
    Discover inspiration for Arts & Culture to experience when visiting the Lake District, Cumbria.

Highlights

Exterior and Gardens of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
Carlisle Cathedral

Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…

Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
The Beacon Museum

Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…

Exterior and Grounds at Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin in Coniston, Lake District
Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin

Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…

The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library in Ambleside, Lake District
The Armitt Museum

Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…

PrevPrev
  • 1Carlisle Cathedral
  • 2The Beacon Museum
  • 3Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin
  • 4The Armitt Museum
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  1. Brougham Hall
    Brougham Hall
    Artists at work - Brougham Hall
    Artists at work - Brougham Hall
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    Artists at work - Brougham Hall
    Brougham Hall
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    Brougham Hall
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    Brougham Hall
    Artists at work - Brougham Hall
    Purchase unique items at Brougham Hall
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    Artisan producers at work - Brougham Hall
    Brougham Hall

    Address

    Brougham Avenue, Brougham, Nr. Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2DE

    Telephone

    01768 868184

    enquiries@broughamhall.co.uk

    Nr. Penrith

    Brougham Hall is a 14th Century Fortified ruin home to a variety of working craft units, a cafe, both a gin distillery and a brandy distillery.

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 148 reviews148 reviews
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  2. Cyclists on a mountain biking trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Cyclists on a mountain biking trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Cyclists at Biketreks shop at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors looking at a map on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Cyclists on a mountain biking trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Cyclists at Biketreks shop at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Visitors looking at a map on a trail at Grizedale Forest in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Grizedale Forest

    Address

    Grizedale, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ

    Telephone

    0300 067 4495

    grizedale@forestryengland.uk

    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!

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  3. Exterior at Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Exterior at Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Sketch from an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Sketch from an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Exterior at Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitor Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Sketch from an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Sketch from an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Visitors Sketching in Nature at an Art Course with Long House Studios in Kentmere, Lake District
    Long House Studios

    Address

    2 Longhouses, Kentmere, Cumbria, LA8 9JJ

    Telephone

    07557508488

    enquiries@longhousestudios.org

    Kentmere

    Long House Studios is a small, friendly, independent art school offering intensive and immersive Art Courses for adults and young people. Courses run for 3-5 days in the beautiful Kentmere valley.

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    Tourism For All

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  4. Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop and Demonstration at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Gifts and hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
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    Handcrafted crystal at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal as seen on TV in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassware and gifts at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop and Demonstration at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Gifts and hand crafted goods at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassblowing experiences for children at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal Factory Shop at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Handcrafted crystal at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal as seen on TV in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Glassware and gifts at Cumbria Crystal in Ulverston, Cumbria
    Cumbria Crystal

    Address

    Oubas Hill, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7LB

    Telephone

    01229 584400

    info@cumbriacrystal.com

    Ulverston

    England's last luxury glassblowing factory making crystal for royal families & luxury stores worldwide. As seen on Downton Abbey, James Bond and even in the new Bentleys. Factory shop, live demonstrations and experiences available throughout the…

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 240 reviews240 reviews
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