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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.…
Venture into the fateful night that inspired one of the world's greatest gothic tales: Mary…
The world's finest nature images are revealed as Wildlife Photographer of the Year arrives in The…
Discover 200 years of climbing history in Pillar 200, a fascinating new exhibition celebrating the…
Head to the Great Barn at Sizergh to see an exhibition from a creative collective of artists,…
Inside just got interesting. Step off the trail and into a space where the Lake District is…
Painted explorations of Dales vernacular buildings, archaeology, and the passage of time through…
If you’re visiting the Ambleside area why not pop into the Old Courthouse Gallery? We have a…
Textile artworks inspired by the Cumbrian landscape, blending felting techniques with recycled,…
Partly inspired by the life and work of John Gough, the 'Blind philosopher' and polymath of Kendal…
Flowing from the Fells presents selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection to explore the…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Eden Valley and Penrith Astronomy Group have created an exhibition of Astrophotography for Rheged's…
Discover documentary photographer Joanne Coates's powerful exhibition about women in agriculture in…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Grizedale Observatory and planetarium for stargazing under the dark skies of the Lake District.…
An anniversary exhibition celebrating British wool, craftsmanship, collaboration, and twenty-five…
Innovative contemporary quilts exploring pathways, journeys, and connections through cutting-edge…
To celebrate 125 years of Blackwell, Lakeland Arts will be showcasing a major exhibition of works…
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…


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

Number of results: 78
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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.
W Strand, Whitehaven
Discover 200 years of climbing history in Pillar 200, a fascinating new exhibition celebrating the people, places and innovations that have shaped rock climbing in England and Wales.
The story begins on 9 July 1826, when shepherd John Atkinson…
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
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…
Carlisle
Experience Museum of the Moon after hours and see Carlisle Cathedral in a whole new light. Atmospheric lighting and immersive soundscapes create a magical setting beneath the stunning lunar installation, making this a truly memorable evening.
At…
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…
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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…
Kirkland, Kendal
Flowing from the Fells presents selected works from the Lakeland Arts collection to explore the rivers and streams that make up the landscape of the region, as well as our connections to them and local stories rooted in them.
The exhibition will…
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…
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…
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…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
Newby Bridge
We're planning to open early for late-night shopping on Friday 13th November. More details will be shared closer to the date!
SWAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2026- SAVE THE DATE!
Our Christmas markets are back once again this year, and they'll be bringing…
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