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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.
Members of the international Waterline project continue their collaboration with a new theme of…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
Timed to coincide with the centenary of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition, the exhibition shares…
Saturday 30 November (14:30/18:00) Add some homemade charm to your festive celebrations this year…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Design & make 'three Silver rings' with Sterling Silver and some Semi-Precious Stones with Melinda…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
The world-renowned exhibition, now in its sixtieth year and on loan from the Natural History Museum…
Linocut and Wood engraving relief prints inspired by the Cumbrian Landscape As a printmaker using…
This exhibition celebrates the work of British-Nigerian sculptor, Lawson Oyekan (b.1961). Oyekan's…
know her textile art, but also, she still designs and creates jewellery, likewise clothes, restores…
Discover the innovative methods farmers are using to rewild Britain's landscape in a captivating…
Discover the Ecology Gallery, a space dedicated to exploring the stories of our local landscape,…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Threadmill are a group of fifteen textile and mixed media artists committed to the promotion of…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
The Tiny roost is working with Bankground Farm Coniston. Using their wonderful jacob fleece to…
The title of this exhibition is a riff on 'Roaring 20's' but chosen because, for Stephen Warnes…
Cosy up for a Christmassy crafting experience in our snug yurt and create your own handmade…
Wild Wreath Making Workshop Enjoy a wonderful evening with your friends, listen to your favourite…
Abbot Hall presents Legacy, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Charmaine Watkiss. Discover a…
From Friday 13 September to Sunday 24 November Ian Lawson returns to Rheged's Gallery after 9…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
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.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1087 reviewsKeswick
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
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
137 reviewsSedbergh
Sue Bibby designs and makes with fabric, stitch and her trusty Bernina sewing machine. Her first love is drawing, and her work begins with first-hand observation and sketches. She never ventures far without a sketch book and find gardens and…
Ambleside
Timed to coincide with the centenary of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition, the exhibition shares important photographs and artefacts from the Royal Geographical Society and the Mountain Heritage Trust. Large format photography will tell the almost…
Kirkland, Kendal
Discover the Ecology Gallery, a space dedicated to exploring the stories of our local landscape, ecology, and the impact of human activity on the environment.
More than an exhibition, the Ecology Gallery is a dynamic space featuring…
W Strand, Whitehaven
Cumbrian photographer Tom Kay is offering a special festive version of his Better Photography With Any Camera course. Whether you want to improve those snowy landscapes or take enchanting family photos, Tom will guide you towards taking magical…
Brampton
The title of this exhibition is a riff on 'Roaring 20's' but chosen because, for Stephen Warnes 'Exploring 20's' describes his approach to painting.
At any stage Stephen will have 5 or 6 on the go and works on them in turn as his ideas about them…
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 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.
Sedbergh
Sue Lancaster is a well-known as a textile artist working in machine embroidery, but her work starts well in advance of the production in stitch. In 'What's the Point' Sue will be exploring landscapes in a variety of media – it will be view point…
Sedbergh
Members of the international Waterline project continue their collaboration with a new theme of Murmuration. A new series of handwoven tapestries capturing the marvel of a flock of birds flying closely together, a shape-shifting form creating…
Kirkland, Kendal
Discover the innovative methods farmers are using to rewild Britain's landscape in a captivating photography exhibition by photographer Johannes Pretorius.
Learn about Kendal-based regenerative farmers and step into the world of Strickley, a…
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.
Kendal
Abbot Hall presents Legacy, a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Charmaine Watkiss. Discover a collection of beautiful drawings exploring the connection between people and nature.
London-based artist Charmaine Watkiss (b.1964) examines…
Kendal
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 reviewsBlackwell - the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness-on-Windermere
This exhibition celebrates the work of British-Nigerian sculptor, Lawson Oyekan (b.1961). Oyekan's ceramic sculptures explore the human experience, the fragility of life and its strength to overcome. His large thin-walled vessels appear robust, yet…
Sedbergh
The International Textile Exhibition is back with new work from around the world. Oceans is the inspiration for the work entered into the competition from internationally renowned textiles artists. There is a stunning array of figurative and…
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
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