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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.
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
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 outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
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.
Penrith
An unrivalled range of 1,2 and 3 day courses in the Arts, Crafts, Heritage skills, Baking, Textiles, Raku pottery, Wood /Stone carving, Willow & Wire, Ceramics, Glass, Silver and much much more.
Grasmere
With its beautiful, dramatic scenery and rich history it is easy to understand why people are drawn to the Lake District. The tourist industry has not always resembled what it is now, in fact William and Dorothy Wordsworth witnessed a dramatic…
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968 reviewsBrampton
Born and bought up in Yorkshire, Charlie and his family moved to Cumbria more than forty years ago, drawn by memories of many summers spent on the shores of Ullswater at Sandwick Bay.
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…
Kendal
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an extraordinary period in the history of both Ambleside and the Royal College of Art, when two disparate communities – one, essentially conservative,…
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…
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
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 reviewsKendal
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war period. For the first time in over 50 years, a selection of Gilbert Spencer’s major paintings will be exhibited alongside examples of preparatory…
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178 reviewsSedbergh
know her textile art, but also, she still designs and creates jewellery, likewise clothes, restores furniture, photographs, draws, and paints, even on walls. She is a very versatile artist.
Her academic training was in Russia, since she is of…
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
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1066 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
There is ever-present change in all our lives, presented in a new exhibition of fibre arts by students and staff of ArtyBird Carnforth.
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
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…
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.
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.
Kendal
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock Solid?2 from 9th May to 29th June. This exhibition at the People's Gallery, Kendal Museum will run alongside a series of events including an art trail…
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…
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178 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
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