Discover Arts & Culture in the South Lakes this March

Explore South Lakeland’s rich arts and culture scene: this is an area whose fascinating history is ever-present in its charming villages and bustling towns. From museums to art galleries, theatres to live music, there’s so much to discover. Join us as we take a look at what’s on this month, and where to go to discover everything from literature to arts & crafts; transport to local history.

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Image: © Lakeland Arts

Blackwell – The Arts & Crafts House | Unearthed by Amy Williams

Until 4^th June, Blackwell is hosting ‘Unearthed’: a large-scale paper installation by Kendal-based visual artist Amy Williams. The uplifting installation features vibrant, oversized paper wildflowers, representing ten extraordinary women from Cumbrian history.

Also in March is the Blackwell Spring Craft Fair (10 – 12 March) – the perfect place to discover unique, handcrafted gifts in the rooms of this historic house.

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Brantwood | Reopening March 13th

The former home of John Ruskin reopens this month: Brantwood in Coniston will welcome visitors back from March 13^th after a period of refurbishment.

As well as the historic house and gardens, there are also regular exhibitions on display in the Blue Gallery within the House; and in the Severn Studio Gallery. Until 23^rd April, see Cowspines by Kate Kirkwood: a photography exhibition born from a love for the Cumbrian landscape.

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Image: © Quaker Tapestry Museum

Quaker Tapestry Museum | Creative Workshops

As well as being home to an impressive global tapestry project, Kendal’s Quaker Tapestry Museum also hosts regular events and workshops to help you get creative. This month, there’s a four-week course on experimental quilt making (from 14^th March); a Needle Felted Hare workshop (18^th March); and a free embroidery workshop (22^nd March). Book ahead to avoid missing out.

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Image: © The Armitt Museum

The Armitt Museum | Exhibitions & Local History

Discover the life of Charlotte Mason, who opened a House of Education in Ambleside in 1892, at The Armitt Museum with an exhibition titled ‘Learning through the natural world’ (Feb – Dec 2023) – inspired by her belief in the importance of the outdoors in learning.

Also on display is Beatrix Potter: Passions in Paint, which now includes the stitched textile works of artist Sarah Charmain.

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The Windermere Jetty Museum | Forty Farms by Amy Bateman

Now on display at the Windermere Jetty Museum is Forty Farms: a striking photographic exhibition highlighting the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers. The work of British Lifestyle Photographer of the Year Amy Bateman, Forty Farms can be seen until June 4^th.

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Image: © Wordsworth Grasmere / G Gardner

Wordsworth Grasmere | To The Lakes!

Currently showing at Wordsworth Grasmere until 30 December 2023 is ‘To The Lakes!’ which looks at how visitors experienced the Lake District 200 years ago. See an unparalleled watercolour collection, with costumes and games to help families imagine their own 18^th / 19^th century tour of the Lakes.

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Image: © Brewery Arts

Brewery Arts | Music, Theatre, Comedy + More

There’s a vibrant programme of live music, theatre and creative events at the popular Brewery Arts in the market town of Kendal. This month sees local band Lowes return to their hometown for a special concert (10^th March); theatre presented by Box of Tricks with Too Much World At Once (29^th March); and a performance from comedian Carl Hutchinson titled Watch ‘Til The End (24^th March). Plus, plenty more.

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The Coro | Music, Theatre, Comedy + More

At The Coro in Ulverston, there’s plenty to entertain you this March! The Dizzy Gillespie Sextet brings jazz to the stage on March 11^th; Friday Night Live sees live comedy from four award-winning comedians on March 10^th; and the Ulverston Eco Fair on March 16^th features exhibits about our eco future.

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Farfield Mill | Exspiravit Decorum Exhibition

Founded in 2017, Decorum is a group of five women artists who work in close collaboration. Their practice takes on many forms as they aim to convey traces of past lives through the observation of the present. ‘Exspiravit - Decorum’ features new works inspired by the Rachel Kay Shuttleworth Archive housed at Gawthorpe Hall. It is showing at Sedbergh's Farfield Mill until April 2^nd.

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Image: © The Old Laundry Theatre 

The Old Laundry Theatre | Theatre & Live Music

There's a fantastic programme of live music and theatre at Bowness' The Old Laundry Theatre this March. Having supported none other than Bob Dylan & Neil Young in Hyde Park last year, five-piece band Hardwicke Circus take to the stage on 11 March. On 23 March, 'Mrs Churchill - My Life with Winston' looks at Churchill's life through the eyes of his wife Clementine.

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Kendal Museum | Colours of Cumbria

This March, discover ‘Colours of Cumbria’: a joint exhibition by local artists Sam Harrison and Ray Green. Held in Kendal Museum’s People’s Gallery, there’s a vibrant selection of pieces which capture the drama of Cumbria through bold colour and texture.

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Image: © English Heritage

Look Ahead

• Holker Hall & Gardens reopens on March 10^th. Visit the hall and wander the gardens of this impressive house, home to the Cavendish family.
• The National Trust’s Townend reopens on March 28^th. Step inside this traditional Lakeland farm house, once home to the Browne family and today offering an insight into life on a local farm.
• The 19^th century Stott Park Bobbin Mill will welcome visitors back from April, with demonstrations and dress up highlighting life in a traditional bobbin mill.
• In Kendal, the Abbot Hall Art Gallery is set to reopen on 20^th May 2023 after a period of refurbishment, with a major exhibition by internationally renowned artist Julie Brook.

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Pay once, go free for a year

Want to visit more than once? Blackwell – the Arts and Crafts House; the Windermere Jetty Museum; Brantwood; and Wordsworth Grasmere are all offering annual passes for the price of a single ticket – so you can pay once and visit free for an entire year! Check out their websites for more info.

Join us and discover a rich cultural landscape, be inspired and experience living heritage: visit visitlakedistrict.com/cultureinsouthlakes and plan your trip.

The Culture in South Lakes campaign is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund | #UKSPF