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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…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
Journey into acrylics with this serene scene – a swan gracefully adrift on a tranquil autumn lake.
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Ideal for beginners, this class starts with a brief introduction to the cyanotype process, its…
£70 plus £5 for materials on the day Come and enjoy a day of weaving on a 4-shaft table loom.…
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…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Connect with other visitors and explore the space through their illustrations and ideas. Engage…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
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,…
£65 plus £5 for materials Farfield Mill and its surroundings are a unique environment, which we…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
New for our programme of creative classes, a chance to learn some sewing techniques with a takeaway…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
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…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Theresa Taylor is an artist based in Lancaster, at the edge of the Bowland Fells. She works out of…
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
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.
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
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…
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Cross Lane, Kendal
Cross Lane Projects is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new work by Lee Holden, winner of the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2022/23.
This exhibition was developed over the preceding year by Lee Holden (b.1972, Accrington, Lancashire, UK),…
Penrith
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.
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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141 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.
Brampton
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the Eden Valley which so inspires her work.
Sarah is fascinated by the ever-changing light upon the landscape and our place within it.
Sedbergh
What is a space?
Where are the spaces?
Who fills the spaces and why?
Nolitex have been exploring these issues and invites viewers to consider the spaces they fill.
NOLITEX, (Notts. Lincs. Textile Artists) is a group of artists which promotes textile…
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
318 reviewsBowness-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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
879 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Halima Cassell returns to Blackwell after 10 years with a mesmerising exhibition showcasing a large selection ceramic sculptures, drawings, collages and wallpapers.
Since her exhibition at Blackwell in 2011, Halima Cassell has become an…
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.
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…
Ambleside
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 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…
Keswick
Brought to you by the National Trust for the Festival of Archaeology. Come and join us for a rare opportunity to visit the processing mill at Force Crag Mine. To make this event more inclusive, we would like to offer transport for those who may have…
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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