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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.
Russell Mills, himself a graduate and former lecturer at the Royal College of Art, will explore an…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Sublime Symmetry is an exhibition featuring 60 pots, tiles and vases from the De Morgan Collection,…
Now in its 12th year, the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition is an open art competition which…
Inspired by the wild and beautiful Northern Fells and a shared history of drawing from life, local…
Heavyweights of the Cumbrian and International art world are joining together to take part in Rock…
Uncovering the story of a British artist and his influence on 20th century art during the inter-war…
What is a space? Where are the spaces? Who fills the spaces and why? Nolitex have been exploring…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
A contemporary art gallery 9 miles east of Carlisle. located close to Hadrian’s Wall, the Scottish…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
Annie - A local artist who has worked in pastels, watercolours and acrylics for over 30 years. A…
The EVAN Gallery and Studios is a genuinely artist led creative hub. EVAN was established in 2017…
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…
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…
As Kay lives in Cumbria and Gillian lives in the Trossachs, textiles and walking are intertwined…
An exhibition of striking photographs exploring the complexities of gender and identity. The…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
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
Sarah, based in Penrith, Cumbria, an ideal base to explore the Lakes, Cumbrian coastline, and the Eden Valley which so inspires her work.
Sarah is fascinated by the ever-changing light upon the landscape and our place within it.
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Halima Cassell returns to Blackwell after 10 years with a mesmerising exhibition showcasing a large selection ceramic sculptures, drawings, collages and wallpapers.
Since her exhibition at Blackwell in 2011, Halima Cassell has become an…
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…
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497 reviewsKendal
Forge Festival 2024 is an ambitious young person-led festival with young creatives and early career artists from across Cumbria all performing exciting pieces of original live performance in response to the theme 'Our Human Connection to the Natural…
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 reviewsCross 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),…
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.
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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.
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…
Sedbergh
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…
Sedbergh
What is a space?
Where are the spaces?
Who fills the spaces and why?
Nolitex have been exploring these issues and invites viewers to consider the spaces they fill.
NOLITEX, (Notts. Lincs. Textile Artists) is a group of artists which promotes textile…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Connect with other visitors and explore the space through their illustrations and ideas. Engage your artistic side, drawing inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement, beautiful features within the house and gardens and the current exhibition.
Sizergh, Kendal
An outdoor exhibition based on the award-winning book, Forty Farms by Lakeland Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman. You'll discover 40 large format panels displayed along our family and accessible farm trail. Low Sizergh Barn is one of the farms…
Carlisle
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its characters, in a new exhibition.
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.
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20 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 reviewsAmbleside
Art gallery and art shop run by the Heaton Cooper family, selling original paintings and prints from 4 generations of the family.
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 reviewsRayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired by ecosystems found in nature. Immerse yourself in the Microworld and discover a space where creatures respond to each other and to you.
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