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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.
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
New for our programme of creative classes, a chance to learn some sewing techniques with a takeaway…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
Connect with other visitors and explore the space through their illustrations and ideas. Engage…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 66
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Connect with other visitors and explore the space through their illustrations and ideas. Engage your artistic side, drawing inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement, beautiful features within the house and gardens and the current exhibition.
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.
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142 reviewsBrampton
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A regular exhibitor at Gallery Northwest, Annie is also a vital member of the GNW management team.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection, including examples of De Morgan's Middle Eastern-inspired designs and glistening lustreware.
Kendal
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity.
The exhibition contains 42 contemporary giclee prints made from scans of Cahun’s original photographic self-portraits.
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178 reviewsKendal
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…
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.
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…
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
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968 reviewsCarlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
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1649 reviewsBowness-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.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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247 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.
Stramongate, Kendal
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions and remarkable people....made by 4,000 people. Facilities: Gift Shop, Cafe, Audio guides, Films, Interactive Displays, Children's Activities.
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191 reviewsKendal
Theresa Taylor is an artist based in Lancaster, at the edge of the Bowland Fells.
She works out of her studio and is a member of Artlab Contemporary Print Studios, University of Central Lancashire, where she completed her MA in 2015. Theresa is…
Penrith
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the concept of a giant Fell pony on the side of Blease Fell in the Tebay Gorge area as well as the Epona Community Engagement Project; a new cultural…
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…
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142 reviewsSedbergh
Threadmill are a group of fifteen textile and mixed media artists committed to the promotion of textiles as both a decorative and expressive art form. Together they seek to increase awareness and education at all levels through their exhibitions…
Penrith
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
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134 reviewsPenrith
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which celebrates and promotes the best of Northern Art.
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