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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.
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
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…
Occupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery showcases the…
Introducing an ambitious new project, Epona-The Wild Pony of the North, this display showcases the…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
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…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
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
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
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 reviewsAmbleside
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.
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102 reviewsBowness-on-Windermere
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection, including examples of De Morgan's Middle Eastern-inspired designs and glistening lustreware.
Penrith
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes.
Kendal
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity.
The exhibition contains 42 contemporary giclee prints made from scans of Cahun’s original photographic self-portraits.
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178 reviewsSedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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247 reviewsGrasmere
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.
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968 reviewsCrosby-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…
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497 reviewsTroutbeck, Windermere
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years of family documents. Explore snippets of young Ben Browne's life in the 1700's, after he moved from the Lake District to London, in letters sent to…
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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142 reviewsAmbleside
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
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,…
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…
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142 reviewsWindermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
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…
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
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.
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880 reviewsBoot, 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.
Carlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
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1650 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL