Abbot Hall Art Gallery Art Galleries

Abbot Hall is an exquisite gallery in the north west of England on the edge of the Lake District. Works of art can be enjoyed in this beautiful Georgian villa, drawn both from its important collections and the changing series of exhibitions. The gallery also has an innovative programme of educational activities, lectures and events which you can discover more about on this site.

Paintings from the 18th century collection are hung in the Georgian rooms on the ground floor so that they can be enjoyed in an appropriate setting. They include a very fine pair of views of Windermere by P J de Loutherbourg as well as an important group of portraits by Romney from various different periods of his life. George Romney was born locally and apprenticed in Kendal before settling in London where he became one of the leading portrait artists of the day. There is also an important group of work by another local artist, Daniel Gardner, as well as examples by Allan Ramsay and Thomas Lawrence. Displayed in the same rooms is a fine collection of miniatures, dating largely from the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Abbot Hall is one of the few places that you can see and enjoy art in a truly relaxed and friendly atmosphere. A vibrant but manageable selection of works is displayed with care, and can be enjoyed in the setting of elegant Georgian rooms of classical proportions. The setting, architecture and light filled rooms combine to create a special magic, giving you the impression of looking at art in the relaxed atmosphere of someone's home.

Abbot Hall is open Monday - Saturday 10. 30 am to 4. 00 pm

(From April to October we stay open until 5. 00 pm).

We are open between 18 January and 16 December 2005.

The Gallery is closed on Sundays.

At Abbot Hall we have a licensed Coffee Shop which provides home-made soup, light lunches, sandwiches and a selection of delicious home-made cakes. We also serve a large variety of drinks and a special Lunch of the Day. Seating is available outside by the croquet lawn on sunny days. The Coffee Shop is open the same hours as the Gallery. .