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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.
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Discover the creatures that came before the T.REX. Step back to the Carboniferous period, 100…
Shipping Brow Contemporary 2026 brings together ten young, emerging and/ or contemporary artists…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told…
Innovative contemporary quilts exploring pathways, journeys, and connections through cutting-edge…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Textile artworks inspired by the Cumbrian landscape, blending felting techniques with recycled,…
An anniversary exhibition celebrating British wool, craftsmanship, collaboration, and twenty-five…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Celebrating the beauty, behaviour, symbolism and diversity of birds through the work of 57 UK…
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on…
We are excited to be working with Barrow AFC and Bluebird Supporters club to bring you the Barrow…
Great exhibitions, activities, gift shop and café in a glorious park setting amongst the mountains.…
Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm: Finds handling Get hands-on with history. Visitors can get hands-on…
We are very pleased to bring you a new exhibition to the Dock Museum, "What the sea decides to give…
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and…
Painted explorations of Dales vernacular buildings, archaeology, and the passage of time through…
Heritage open weekend with free entry to venues and activities 19th and 20th Sept in Appleby in…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…


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

Number of results: 65
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Kendal
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…
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…
Kirkland, Kendal
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and humanity to figures who have been overlooked or marginalised by history, while Joshua Donkor collaboratively embeds the personal histories and cultural…
Kendal
Abbot Hall is one of Britain’s preeminent small art galleries, set in a Grade I listed Georgian building on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal. The gallery holds an outstanding collection of 18th-21st century art and hosts exhibitions. The…
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
Coniston
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.
W Strand, Whitehaven
Discover the creatures that came before the T.REX.
Step back to the Carboniferous period, 100 million years before the dinosaurs. Visit tropical forests and swamps teeming with bizarre and ferocious ancient monsters, some of which had larger teeth…
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.
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…
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…
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.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
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.
Boroughgate, Appleby
Heritage open weekend with free entry to venues and activities 19th and 20th Sept in Appleby in Westmorland
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.
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…
Penrith
Art exhibition showing 32 original paintings from a selection of Beckstones'artists all inspired by the Seasons
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Connie Flynn's Text & Textile! explores everyday sayings rooted in the textile trade. Using recycled fabrics and white cotton garments, she hand-stitches phrases in red thread and integrates letterpress elements to evoke time and heritage.
Blending…
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.
The Promenade, Maryport
Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm: Finds handling
Get hands-on with history. Visitors can get hands-on with real and replica objects, lead by one of our team of volunteers. Included in museum admission.
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