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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.
This new body of work explores the ever-changing Lakeland landscape. The work is abstract, painted…
A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
The Hive is a fully licensed events venue in a restored Wesleyan Chapel in Nenthead, offering pop…
Uncover the life and work of printmaker Gwyneth Alban Davis who ran her business while living in a…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt…
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
Tapestry of the North: Our Textile Heritage is an open, non-juried exhibition, hosted by the…
William Wordsworth wrote his radical Guide to the Lakes at Allan Bank. A new permanent exhibition…
SIGNAL proudly presents its first major group exhibition in their newly refurbished gallery spaces.…
Print, sculpture and sound-based installation exploring bird song. Artist Heather Mullender-Ross…
A multimedia exhibition at the Dock Museum from 5th December to 23rd February exploring local…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Discover how World War II shaped the lives of people in our community in this powerful, story-led…
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…
As Rheged celebrates 25 years of culture, discover the work of 25 exceptional Cumbrian artists…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
I grew up in Huddersfield, in the heart of the textile industry, and spent many childhood days…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…


You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 72
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Penrith
As Rheged celebrates 25 years of culture, discover the work of 25 exceptional Cumbrian artists across a range of disciplines. From striking paintings and dynamic sculpture to powerful photography and mixed media, showcasing the talent, creativity,…
Grasmere
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
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.
Grasmere
Enjoy your perfect Lake District day out at Wordsworth Grasmere. Discover the home of William Wordsworth, one of England’s most famous poets. Step back 200 years and experience the sights, sounds and smells of family life at Dove Cottage.
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.
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
This year is the 500th anniversary of Sedbergh school and the History Society have prepared an exhibition to complement the various activities being organised by the school itself. The 12 panels deal with the founder Roger Lupton and the School's…
Arnside, Carnforth
Art Exhibition: Being There, The West Coast of Scotland by Tracy Levine at The Tracy levine Studio gallery in Arnside. 5o paintings created over a 5 year period from visits to locations including Isle of Skye, Isle of Harris. Mull, Iona, Ardnamuchan…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Festive Farfield, running on the 8th/9th of November; an opportunity to see 15 different artists in their studios. Talk to the artists and watch how they make a wide range of exquisitely crafted works. This is a celebration of creativity. Enjoy the…
Market Pl, Ambleside
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Alfred Wainwright's first book being published, we are hosting a one-of-a-kind solo exhibition in collaboration with Lake District artist and fell runner Victoria Rose Miller. "Painting the Wainwrights" will…
102-104 Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness
SIGNAL proudly presents its first major group exhibition in their newly refurbished gallery spaces. Their ARTIST LAB EXHIBITION showcases bold new work shaped by landscape and protest from 14 emerging artists connected to Cumbria and the wider North…
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!
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
Grasmere
Howard Somervell was born in Kendal in 1890 and is best known for his role as a mountaineer, and was one of the leading climbers on the 1922 and 1924 British expeditions to Everest. He was also an acclaimed artist, especially of mountain scenes and…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Meet some of the makers exhibiting as part of the British Tapestry Group, discover what inspires their work and the techniques they use.
The British Tapestry Group
The British Tapestry Group promotes and explores the concept of woven tapestry as a…
Grasmere
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover grand landscapes by Constable and Turner, a hasty sketch by Dorothy Wordsworth, dramatic watercolours and rarely displayed objects that spark wonder,…
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
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.
Sedbergh
This new body of work explores the ever-changing Lakeland landscape. The work is abstract, painted from memory and includes familiar shapes; field patterns on the fellside, ancient gate stoops weathered by the elements, a hog hole in a wall, the…
Kirkland, Kendal
This autumn, Abbot Hall presents Boat Works, a solo exhibition by Turner Prize-winner Simon Starling. Bringing together his major boat-themed projects, the show explores the vessel as a symbol of migration, transformation, and change.
Highlights…
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Explore the founding of the school library by ex-pupil, Daniel Rawlinson 350 years ago!
For the first time, books from this unique collection will be displayed to explore the cultural, social, religious and political climate of 17th Century England…
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