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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.
Connie Flynn's Text & Textile! explores everyday sayings rooted in the textile trade. Using…
Great exhibitions, activities, gift shop and café in a glorious park setting amongst the mountains.…
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and…
Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm: Finds handling Get hands-on with history. Visitors can get hands-on…
Useful/Beautiful marks 25 years of contemporary craft at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house,…
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
"Our personal encounters within Morecambe Bay." This exhibition brings together the creative voices…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Celebrating the beauty, behaviour, symbolism and diversity of birds through the work of 57 UK…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
We are very pleased to bring you a new exhibition to the Dock Museum, "What the sea decides to give…
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
A diverse exhibition celebrating printmaking techniques, creativity, and artistic exploration by…
Explore the musical, interactive, piano sculptures of local artist Joshua Payne, exhibited across…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Conceived by the British painter Daniel Sturgis, On the Thick and Thin of Painting explores the…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
We are excited to be working with Barrow AFC and Bluebird Supporters club to bring you the Barrow…
An anniversary exhibition celebrating British wool, craftsmanship, collaboration, and twenty-five…


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

Number of results: 64
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
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
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
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…
Penrith
Art exhibition showing 32 original paintings from a selection of Beckstones'artists all inspired by the Seasons
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.
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.
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.
Nr Kendal
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in Holeslack barn, on Sizergh's estate.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
A diverse exhibition celebrating printmaking techniques, creativity, and artistic exploration by Cumbrian printmakers.
Exploration and Discovery is an exhibition by Cumbria Printmakers, a cooperative of individual artists united by a shared passion…
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.
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!
Station Rd, Keswick
Discover 200 years of Rock Climbing history, from the earliest scrambles to the modern sport we know today at our latest community gallery exhibition, in partnership with the Mountain Heritage Trust.
To honour this incredible milestone, the…
Ravenglass
Explore the musical, interactive, piano sculptures of local artist Joshua Payne, exhibited across the Muncaster Estate.
Boroughgate, Appleby
Heritage open weekend with free entry to venues and activities 19th and 20th Sept in Appleby in Westmorland
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Painted explorations of Dales vernacular buildings, archaeology, and the passage of time through landscape.
Tumbling Stones, Wiggly Tin is an exhibition by Hilary Grisewood that explores and celebrates the vernacular architecture of the Yorkshire…
The Abbey, Carlisle
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit…
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…
Nr Kendal
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists, inspired by soil.
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