Abbot Hall

20/05/2026

Bellwethers, our current exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, has a book of poetry written and created by 160 people from South Cumbria who have been affected by homelessness, substance recovery, and other profound challenges.

“Bellwethers is a remarkable collection; moving, powerful, and in origin and texture like nothing I've read before. It takes the form of a chorus-work of poems and songs, summoned into being by desperation, collaboration, love and land. Trust becomes the means of weaving, weaving the means of hoping. Line after line strikes fire from the darkness, and proves poetry here to be "the Halo on the page.” - Review from author Robert Macfarlane.

This book is available to read within the Bellwethers gallery space at Abbot Hall, but is also on sale in our shop if you would like to purchase one yourself.

Abbot Hall is open Wed - Sat, 10 - 4.

18/05/2026

What music might Lady Anne Clifford have listened to?

On Saturday 6 June, Abbot Hall will be filled with the sounds of lute, viols, recorder, renaissance flute, and voice as A Picture in Music and Words brings Lady Anne’s world to life through live performance!

Inspired by The Great Picture seen in our gallery, Lady Anne’s diaries, and music from the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, this special concert blends storytelling and historically inspired performance in the galleries themselves.

Featuring acclaimed lutenist Richard MacKenzie and tenor Dr Andrew Fowler of Durham Cathedral Choir.

Book your tickets now using the following link: https://lakelandarts.org.uk/events/lady-anne-clifford-a-picture-in-words-and-music/

Photo: Robin Zahler

16/05/2026

A week to go until our May Half Term activities begin!

From Saturday 23 to Saturday 30 May you can:

🖼️ Draw a Self-Portrait
Free in the Creative space

🐈‍⬛ Explore Sully the Cat’s Art Trail
Included with gallery admission

🏡 Join a What is Home? Facilitated Workshop
£5 per family | Thursday 28 May
Sessions at 10.30 - 11.30am and 2 - 3pm

Celebrate spring at Abbot Hall with creative, family-friendly activities running throughout the Easter holidays. From hands-on crafts to gallery

14/05/2026

A taste of what you can experience this Saturday 🎶

Join Kendal’s Pro Nobis choir and composer Jack McNeill for an afternoon of singing the stories and poems created by our community.

Saturday 16 May, 2–4pm at Abbot Hall.

Book your ticket using the link in our bio!

14/05/2026

A taste of what you can experience this Saturday 🎶

Join Kendal’s Pro Nobis choir and composer Jack McNeill for an afternoon of singing the stories and poems created by our community.

Saturday 16 May, 2–4pm at Abbot Hall.

Book your ticket using the link below.
https://lakelandarts.org.uk/events/bellwethers-choir-workshop/

13/05/2026

Will Cooper, our Senior Curator at Lakeland Arts, talks us through the meaning and importance behind “Familial Traces”, our latest Abbot Hall exhibition.

If you want to learn more about Familial Traces, Joshua Donkor and Lela Harris, you can read exhibition review and interview with the artists! Link in our bio.

11/05/2026

Have you booked your space for our Bellwethers Choir Workshop this Saturday 16 May?

Join us to learn songs based on poems from the Bellwethers project, where they’ll be performed by Kendal’s Pro Nobis choir, composer Jack McNeill, and you! 🎶

Bellwethers is a powerful multi-media exhibition sharing stories of fragility, survival and resilience from people in and around Barrow and Kendal. The exhibition explores homelessness, recovery, community and the connections between social and ecological injustice.

Book your tickets here (£5 per person): https://tickets1.lakelandarts.org.uk/

Photography: George Carr Media

06/05/2026

What’s on at Abbot Hall Art Gallery?

Now on display upstairs!
Familial Traces until Sat 3 October
Bellwethers and The Paper Quilt Project until Sat 19 September

Sat 16 May, 2pm to 3.45pm
Bellwethers Choir Workshop
Learn songs inspired by the project and perform alongside Kendal’s Pro Nobis Choir and composer Jack McNeill.

Sat 23 to Sat 30 May
May Half Term activities
Including self-portrait drawing, Sully the Cat’s Art Trail, and a What is Home? Facilitated Workshop.

Sat 6 June, 6pm to 8.15pm
Lady Anne Clifford: A Picture in Words and Music
A theatrical and musical performance by Kendal Community Theatre and The Clifford Consort, celebrating Lady Anne Clifford’s 350th anniversary.

Find out more via the What’s On link in our bio!

01/05/2026

What does home mean to you? 🏠

The Paper Quilt Project began as a blank space and grows with every story added. Through artist-led workshops, each square becomes part of a collective artwork exploring belonging, identity and connection.

Come and see it take shape, and share your own thoughts!

Visit the gallery Wednesday - Saturday, 10 - 4.

Photography: George Carr Media

30/04/2026

Catch a glimpse of what’s to come as Kendal Community Centre and 'The Clifford Consort' prepare for Lady Anne Clifford – A Picture in Words and Music performance at Abbot Hall.

🎟️ £15 per person | Includes a drink
📆 Saturday 6 June 2026
🚪 Doors open 5:30pm
🔗 Book now: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/107950