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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.
Experience Museum of the Moon after hours and see Carlisle Cathedral in a whole new light.…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in…
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…
Every Wednesday, 11am - 2pm: Finds handling Get hands-on with history. Visitors can get hands-on…
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…
From Abraham to Jesus: the story of the Bible, brought to life. Step into the world of the Bible:…
Great exhibitions, activities, gift shop and café in a glorious park setting amongst the mountains.…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Innovative contemporary quilts exploring pathways, journeys, and connections through cutting-edge…
There is an exciting brand-new event to add to your itinerary. From Friday 9th October to Sunday…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…
Painted explorations of Dales vernacular buildings, archaeology, and the passage of time through…
Textile artworks inspired by the Cumbrian landscape, blending felting techniques with recycled,…
A solo exhibition of pastel paintings by Sarah Reid. This solo exhibition brings together a…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Discover the creatures that came before the T.REX. Step back to the Carboniferous period, 100…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…


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

Number of results: 73
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Workington
Workington Lightworks is designed as a flagship community celebration, bringing together residents, visitors and local businesses for a unique evening spectacle featuring illuminated artwork, projection, dance and music across the historic grounds…
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…
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…
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness-on-Windermere
Useful/Beautiful marks 25 years of contemporary craft at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house, celebrating the makers, ideas and objects that have shaped our collection since opening our doors to the public in 2001.
Set throughout the house, the…
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.
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
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…
Grasmere
On Christmas Day it was Dorothy's Wordsworth's birthday! Find out how Dorothy and her brother William celebrated when she lived in Dove Cottage over 200 years ago. We'll read some of her birthday journal entries and then try some Regency era…
Carlisle
During Museum of the Moon, we are delighted to welcome Stuart Atkinson to the Cathedral for a series of fascinating space-themed talks and guided tours of the Moon. Stuart is a nationally recognised astronomy writer, outreach educator, amateur…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
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…
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…
Kirkland, Kendal
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told through the voices of people in Barrow and Kendal.
Step into an unseen world through immersive sound and film, artwork, poetry, and images created by…
Ravenglass
Explore the musical, interactive, piano sculptures of local artist Joshua Payne, exhibited across the Muncaster Estate.
Kirkland, Kendal
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on display in the gallery. This project has been designed in response to the two adjoining exhibitions; Bellwethers and Joshua Donkor & Lela Harris. Both…
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…
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…
Moresby, Whitehaven
Get inspired this Winter as we welcome the Whitehaven Flower Club and guest arranger Venessa Wellock to Rosehill kick off the run up to Christmas with some spectacular demonstrations.
Vanessa has been a floral designer specialising in wedding flowers…
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.
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness-on-Windermere
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works by its architect, the Arts & Crafts designer Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott (1865-1945).
This exhibition brings together significant works by Baillie…
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