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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.
A collection of mixed media pieces aimed to inspire and initiate thought provoking conversation…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Extended until Sunday 16 March! 2024 is the centenary of Mallory and Irvine's disappearance…
This exhibition celebrates the work of British-Nigerian sculptor, Lawson Oyekan (b.1961). Oyekan's…
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt…
Tapestry weavers from England and New Zealand come together in this fourth international touring…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
The Sizergh estate hosts a collection of ancient trees, from 150-year-old birch trees to a…
FEATURING 11 UNSEEN PERCY KELLYS EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY – SOME OF WEST CUMBRIA'S MOST…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
The International Textile Exhibition is back with new work from around the world. Oceans is the…
About the event When you want to elevate your tablescapes for your special event, flowers are the…
Heallreaf 5 presents their latest exhibition of handwoven tapestry. Using centuries old weaving…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Exploring Techniques in Woven Tapestry Workshop with Anna Wetherell Saturday 1 March 2025 10am –…
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…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 53
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20-24 Front St, Brampton
Jennifer Guest
Jennifer gained a BA(Hons) in Art and Design from East Anglia University, and then went on to have a career as a therapist and author. Returning to making art, Jennifer now creates drawings as a full-time artist from her Scottish…
Kendal
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…
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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.
Bowness-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.
Ambleside
Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the life and legacy of Alfred Wainwright at The Armitt museum from February to December 2025.
The Armitt museum and Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia are thrilled to announce a collaborative and…
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.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
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…
Newby Bridge
A new home interiors and renovation event that showcases the huge range of expert, independent
businesses and artisan craftsmanship within Cumbria will launch next Spring. Media stars and
upholsterers, Vicky Grubb and Ray Clarke, (BBC's Money for…
Sedbergh
Each summer at ArtyBird, we film our Creative Textile suite of courses. Soon my shell became the focus and star of them – surprising us on how inspiring just one shell can be.
This is a special shell, one that my husband brought me back from his…
Sedbergh
The Graduation Show of the ArtyBird Carnforth Fellowship group who are intertwined through strong, supportive bonds of friendship and shared creativity. The exhibition reflects individuality within the cohesive group.
Farfield Mill is open Wednesday…
Barrow-in-Furness
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to tell the stories of the men and women who made Barrow great and a world leader in engineering. There is so much to do and see in the gallery including…
W Strand, Whitehaven
FEATURING 11 UNSEEN PERCY KELLYS
EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY – SOME OF WEST CUMBRIA'S MOST WELL-LOVED AND DISTINGUISHED ARTISTS, SHOWCASING THE POWERFUL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE AREAS LOCAL INDUSTRIAL PAST.
The Beacon Museums collection includes over…
Keswick
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.
Sedbergh
This new body of work explores the ever-changing Lakeland landscape. The work is abstract, painted from memory and includes familiar shapes; field patterns on the fellside, ancient gate stoops weathered by the elements, a hog hole in a wall, the…
Ambleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
Sedbergh
I grew up in Huddersfield, in the heart of the textile industry, and spent many childhood days playing amongst the derelict mills that are our industrial heritage. After travelling extensively, I returned to my hometown and the rugged and remote…
Penrith
Extended until Sunday 16 March!
2024 is the centenary of Mallory and Irvine's disappearance near the Summit of Everest, so what better time to choose Everest as the Exhibition theme for our Gallery, and bring lesser known stories and Everest…
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.
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