You are here: Home > Things to Do > Arts and Culture > Galleries & Exhibitions
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.
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Have you ever wished you could pick up a pen and create a beautiful piece of hand lettering? Why…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
We are delighted to welcome back Sue Rowland, who will inspire you to create an original lino print…
In this full day workshop, you will experience three distinct elements to creating your unique…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
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.
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),…
Crosby-on-Eden
Whether you see yourself as an aviation enthusiast or simply a curious explorer, Solway Aviation Museum has something to offer. Based on the site of RAF Crosby-on-Eden, a former WWII fighter base, the museum has been painstakingly created by a team…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
498 reviewsPenrith
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
134 reviewsPenrith
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.
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
20 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.
Brampton
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish Borders, Eden Valley, and English Lake District, so it should be no surprise that we have a wealth of artistic talent to call upon.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
7 reviewsSedbergh
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…
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.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
968 reviewsStramongate, 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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
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…
Sedbergh
Linocut and Wood engraving relief prints inspired by the Cumbrian Landscape
As a printmaker using linocut and wood engraving, I create relief prints here at the Mill in my studio on level 2. From my sketches of the landscape of Cumbria I am inspired…
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
7 reviewsBrampton
Daniel Hester is an artist/musician exploring and working in a variety of disciplines, currently focused on fine art, original folk music and nature photography.
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…
Sedbergh
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined within their lives. The steady rhythm of walking is echoed by the rhythm of stitch. The building up of layers with material and stitch and the…
Boot, 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.
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,…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL