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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.
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
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…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
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.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
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.
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…
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
Sedbergh
There is ever-present change in all our lives, presented in a new exhibition of fibre arts by students and staff of ArtyBird Carnforth.
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
178 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.
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20 reviewsBoot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
Carlisle
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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1650 reviewsConiston
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.
Kendal
Forge Festival 2024 is an ambitious young person-led festival with young creatives and early career artists from across Cumbria all performing exciting pieces of original live performance in response to the theme 'Our Human Connection to the Natural…
Sizergh, Kendal
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman. You'll discover 40 large format panels displayed along our family and accessible farm trail. Low Sizergh Barn is one of the farms…
Sedbergh
Contemporary Quilt Group is a specialist group within the Quilters' Guild. Its members are a diverse collection of quilters and textile artists, working at the cutting edge of our practice, creating innovative and dynamic art. Their mission is to…
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.
Barrow-in-Furness
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next exhibition, Psychogeology, opening at Barrow Market on Saturday the 4th of May.
Brampton
An art exhibition by a local father-and-son artist pair, exploring both local landmarks in a new light, and challenging the imagination with stimulating new themes.
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7 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…
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…
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
East of Lake, Coniston
Come to an exhibition of radical and innovative textiles; from homewares to art and fashion from Blue Patch, the UK's Sustainable Business Community.
Pull My Thread captures the creative spirit of the new green economy. Displays include new bio…
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