Abbot Hall is one of the UK’s leading art galleries, offering a unique experience for school trips. Explore our extraordinary art collection and discover stories of historic and contemporary art and their ties to Kendal. With diverse exhibitions and creative workshops, Abbot Hall brings art, history, and culture to life for students of all ages.

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What We Offer Visiting Schools:

Abbot Hall offers visiting schools an engaging art experience with guided or self-led tours, interactive digital displays, and creative workshops. Students can explore the gallery’s rich collections and current exhibitions while using our tailored resources to enhance their learning and consolidate their learnings through a creative workshop in a vibrant cultural setting.

Why Choose Us for an Educational Visit:

Schools will benefit from visiting Abbot Hall because we offer an educational experience that is designed to engage students with topics associated with landscape, ecology, and identity, fostering creative thinking and collaboration. Through interactive tours, workshops, and exhibitions, students will connect local stories to global relevant conversations, explore diverse perspectives, and experience a unique blend of art, history, and culture in a welcoming, community-focused setting.

Subjects and Topics Covered:

You can expect a visit filled with immersive exploration of diverse relevant topics and subjects, including landscape, ecology, and identity. Our program connects local stories to global conversations, encouraging students to engage with themes of people, land, and the environment. Through guided tours, interactive displays, and creative workshops, students will explore the intersection of art, history, and culture while examining the stories of Cumbria and Kendal woven throughout our collection. Our approach fosters critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, making Abbot Hall a vibrant space for education and inspiration.

Group Sizes Catered For:

We can accommodate one class of up to 30 children during one visit to Abbot Hall.

Itineraries, Resources, and Workshops:

Visits usually start at 10am with a self-led tour of the galleries. This can be followed by a creative workshop, putting the students’ learning into practice.

We usually cater for the following:

1. Self-led tour around Abbot Hall: teachers can prepare for their visit through exhibition information provided by our learning team.
2. Facilitated visit: this includes a self-led tour, a break for lunch and a creative workshop, during which students will be invited to produce their own artwork inspired by our displays.

Risk Assessment:

Lakeland Arts has completed full risk assessments for school visits to each of our sites. These can be provided at the point of booking to support schools with their own procedures.

Education Department Information:

Rowan Roberts, Participation and Learning Manager at Lakeland Arts, can be reached at learning@lakelandarts.org.uk.

Pricing Information:

Facilitated visit is £10 per child.

Self-led visits are £4.50 per child.

Facilities:

Our workshops may be hosted in the Creative Space or outside overlooking the greenery at Abbot Hall park. The gallery is wheelchair accessible via the ground floor and internal lifts to all levels. Please note: a member of staff will be required to operate these lifts. Indoor and outdoor lunch spaces are provided for facilitated visits, and may be available for self-led visits upon request.

Opening Hours:

Abbot Hall is open Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm year-round. Most school trips take place between 10am-3pm.