You are here: Home > Things to Do > 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.
Inspiration
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Set in the heart of the Lake District, this intimate theatre shares a building in Bowness with the…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
Working in collaboration with a wide range of fantastic partners including The Forum, BarrowFull,…
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…
The loveliest spot that man hath ever found
Number of results: 55
, currently showing 41 to 55.
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired by ecosystems found in nature. Immerse yourself in the Microworld and discover a space where creatures respond to each other and to you.
Kendal
Brewery Arts is a thriving and dynamic arts organisation with over forty years' experience of delivering an exciting and inspirational programme, including cultural events, festivals and creative learning courses. Our venue is a beautiful, historic…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
467 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.
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
318 reviewsAmbleside
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
20 reviewsCrosby-on-Eden
Whether you see yourself as an aviation enthusiast or simply a curious explorer, Solway Aviation Museum has something to offer. Based on the site of RAF Crosby-on-Eden, a former WWII fighter base, the museum has been painstakingly created by a team…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
497 reviewsConishead Priory, Ulverston
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach.
Barrow-in-Furness
Working in collaboration with a wide range of fantastic partners including The Forum, BarrowFull, Cumbria Music Education Hub, North West Music Academy, Westmorland & Furness Council, and with the support of Arts Council England the Royal Liverpool…
Kendal
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging from the 1700's to the present. In our refreshed collection galleries discover the stories of our extraordinary collection pieces and the people…
Middlegate, Penrith
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display material reflecting the history and culture of the Penrith and Eden district.
Penrith
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017 to create a local network to support and encourage local artists. The Gallery showcases 40 local artists work and acts as a doorway to meet members,…
Staveley
Inspiring art and craft workshops based in a stunning open plan studio. Treat yourself to a special creative day and enjoy the amazing Lakeland landscape and tranquillity of the Kentmere Valley. 2 course lunch included in the fee.
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.
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
215 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL