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Abbot Hall re-opened on Saturday 20 May 2023, launching a fresh direction for our beloved South Lakes gallery, with a major exhibition by internationally renowned artist Julie Brook.

Abbot Hall is one of Britain’s most outstanding small art galleries, set in a beautifully restored Grade I-listed Georgian building on the banks of the River Kent in Kendal, Cumbria. Our gallery holds an exceptional collection of 18th-21st century fine art, including work from Frank Auerbach, Barbara Hepworth, John Piper, John Ruskin, JMW Turner and Elizabeth Frink, as well as curating high quality temporary exhibitions.

A creative and inspiring day-out for the whole family!

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Opening Times

November-March
April-October

Art Gallery

10am-4pm
10am-4pm

Coffee Bar

10am-4pm
10am-4pm

We are open daily.

You can book your tickets for our museum in advance online here.

Visitors without an advance booking are welcome, but entry may be subject to availability.

You don’t need an entry ticket to visit our coffee bar or gift shop.

Follow us on facebook for up to date information and to learn more about our collection and events.

Annual closure dates

25 – 26 December 2023

We close for two weeks collection care and maintenance at the start of January every year.

You can book your gallery tickets online or buy on the day.

Visitors without an advance booking are welcome, but entry may be subject to availability.

Entry to our gift shop, creative space and coffee bar is free!

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for up to date information and to learn more about our collection and events.

Prices

Members go Free!

Join today

50% off with a National Art Pass

Get your pass

Admission

Adult
£9
Student
£7
Child (15 and under)
£4.50
Child (4 and under)
Free
Lakeland Arts Members
Free
Family (1 adult + up to 3 children)
£15.50
Family (2 adult + up to 3 children)
£24.50
Art Fund National Art Pass
50% off
Buy tickets

What is Gift Aid?

How to get here

From the south

Exit the M6 at junction 36 and follow the A590 to South Lakes. Take the South Kendal (A6) exit and follow the signs for the town centre. Abbot Hall Art Gallery is the first right after the Parish Church. Kendal has a one-way system so if you miss the turn, you need to loop around the town via Aynam Road.

From the north

Exit the M6 at junction 37, turning onto the A684. Follow signs to Kendal. Turn left onto Park Side Road. At the end of the road turn right onto Lound Road. Stay in the right-hand lane as you cross the small bridge over the River Kent.   Keep in the right-hand lane as you enter the town centre. Abbot Hall Art Gallery is the first right after the Parish Church. Kendal has a one ways system so if you miss the turn, you need to loop around the town via Aynam Road.

There is a small onsite pay and display car park at Abbot Hall with Blue Badge spaces. This is operated by Cumbria Parking Services.

Alternative pay and display car parks in Kendal.

  • Peppercorn Lane: LA9 5AF
  • Kendal Parish Church: LA9 5FB
  • Kendal Bowman: LA9 4AQ
  • Multi storey: LA9 4DX
  • Westmorland Shopping Centre: LA9 4PU

The nearest mainline railway station is Oxenholme. A connecting train will bring you to Kendal railway station. From here, Abbot Hall is one mile. Plan your journey by train.

Bus services run through Kendal connecting the town with the Lake District, Barrow and Lancaster.  Kirkland is the nearest bus stop. All traffic through the town centre is via a one-way system, so buses from Kendal Bus Station pass Abbot Hall on the other side of the river. Get off at the Weavers Court stop and use the footbridge opposite to get to the other side of the river. It takes about 6 minutes to walk via the riverside path to the gallery. Plan your journey by bus.

Local taxis

You can walk to Abbot Hall from the town centre in approximately 10 minutes either by the main street or along the riverside path. The path is a shared pedestrian and bicycle route.