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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.
Flowing from the Fells presents selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection to explore the…
Discover 200 years of climbing history in Pillar 200, a fascinating new exhibition celebrating the…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
The world's finest nature images are revealed as Wildlife Photographer of the Year arrives in The…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Experience Museum of the Moon after hours and see Carlisle Cathedral in a whole new light.…
During Museum of the Moon, we are delighted to welcome Stuart Atkinson to the Cathedral for a…
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in…
Textile artworks inspired by the Cumbrian landscape, blending felting techniques with recycled,…
An anniversary exhibition celebrating British wool, craftsmanship, collaboration, and twenty-five…
Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm: Finds handling Get hands-on with history. Visitors can get hands-on…
Youngsters are invited to help create a major art installation this half-term in a meadow at…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Pop Up Gallery and selling exhibition. 23-25th October 11-4.
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Eden Valley and Penrith Astronomy Group have created an exhibition of Astrophotography for Rheged's…
Partly inspired by the life and work of John Gough, the 'Blind philosopher' and polymath of Kendal…
Innovative contemporary quilts exploring pathways, journeys, and connections through cutting-edge…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
A solo exhibition of pastel paintings by Sarah Reid. This solo exhibition brings together a…
Painted explorations of Dales vernacular buildings, archaeology, and the passage of time through…


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

Number of results: 77
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Grasmere
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.
Beginning with the reimagined bedroom of Mary Shelley, step into a spellbinding world of moonlit woods, haunting seas and waking…
W Strand, Whitehaven
The world's finest nature images are revealed as Wildlife Photographer of the Year arrives in The Beacon Museum.
The world-renowned exhibition, now in its sixty-second year and on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, will open at The…
Seascale
Seascale Lightworks 2026
Seascale Lightworks is designed as a flagship community celebration, bringing together residents, visitors and local businesses for a unique evening spectacle across the historic coastal village of Seascale.
The event…
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
Penrith
Fifty four artists will open their studios or create a pop-up exhibition as part of this free event which combines the opportunity to visit artists' studios, buy their work, and experience breath-taking scenery around Cumbria along the way.
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
An anniversary exhibition celebrating British wool, craftsmanship, collaboration, and twenty-five years of creative practice.
Celebrating 25 Years of The Wool Clip marks a significant milestone for the artist-led co-operative founded in 2001 with a…
Maryport
A solo exhibition of pastel paintings by Sarah Reid.
This solo exhibition brings together a collection of pastel paintings inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the Cumbrian coastline. Working with the rich, luminous qualities of pastel, Sarah…
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Carlisle
Open to all photographers and limited to 50 tickets, and an opportunity to use tripods in the Cathedral space.
Experience Museum of the Moon after hours and see Carlisle Cathedral in a whole new light. Atmospheric lighting and immersive soundscapes…
Hawkshead
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District. Nestled deep within the breathtaking Grizedale Forest in the heart of the Lake District, this immersive stargazing experience invites the whole family to…
Barrow-in-Furness
We are excited to be working with Barrow AFC and Bluebird Supporters club to bring you the Barrow 125 Exhibition. This year, our football club is 125 years and this exhibition takes you on a journey through the history of the club. The Museum is…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Innovative contemporary quilts exploring pathways, journeys, and connections through cutting-edge textile practice.
Pathways presents a dynamic exhibition by Contemporary Quilt, a Special Interest Group of The Quilters' Guild, whose members…
Kendal
Conceived by the British painter Daniel Sturgis, On the Thick and Thin of Painting explores the materiality of the medium, its physical and ethereal boundaries, and the enduring subculture of abstraction.
The exhibition is framed as a visual…
Keswick
Inside just got interesting.
Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is reimagined. Sound, story and digital exploration blend into a hands-on experience that's full of life, built for curious minds and restless feet of all ages…
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.
Milnthorpe
There is an exciting brand-new event to add to your itinerary. From Friday 9th October to Sunday 11th October 2026, the inaugural J36 Art Fair makes its debut, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Cumbria's vibrant…
Ambleside
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a fantastic collection of art & crafts by some amazing artists, many of them local to the area.
Grasmere
Heaton Cooper Studio’s Archive Gallery, showcases a variety of artists. Alongside the gallery, the studio sells the work of the Heaton Coopers, the art shop has supplies for all creatives, and Mathildes café serves delicious food.
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
122A Highgate, Kendal
Widely considered Britain's most popular artist, David Hockney was a global sensation with exhibitions in London, New York, Paris and beyond, attracting millions of visitors worldwide.
Featuring intimate and in-depth interviews with Hockney, this…
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