Old Courthouse Gallery

Overview

The Old Courthouse Gallery is an independently owned art gallery in the centre of the thriving town of Ambleside in the Lake District. It’s free to visit and the venue has a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Couples and solo travellers will enjoy browsing the wide selection of artwork that’s showcased in this historic building, which was once Ambleside’s courthouse. There’s a variety of styles and mediums, including glass, ceramics, sculpture, furniture, jewellery, and more.

It’s a friendly and relaxed place to soak up some culture during your trip to Ambleside and is the perfect spot for spending a couple of hours on a rainy day in the Lake District.

Whether you’re an artist yourself, an art fanatic, or you just appreciate beautiful objects and paintings, a visit to the Old Courthouse Gallery makes a fantastic stop on your explorations of Ambleside.

Is the Old Courthouse Gallery accessible?

Due to the Old Courthouse Gallery being housed in an older building, it is not fully accessible. There is step-free access to the main entrance, however part of the ground floor and the upstairs areas are not wheelchair accessible.

Can I get something to eat near the Old Courthouse Gallery?

Yes, there are many places to eat and drink nearby in Ambleside. Choose from relaxed cafes and coffee shops, cosy Lakeland pubs, and fine dining restaurants. Some of our top picks include:

Ambleside Tap Yard
Old Stamp House
The Flying Fleece
The Copper Pot

History of the Old Courthouse Gallery

The building that houses the Old Courthouse Gallery has a fascinating past, which only adds to its charm. It was built in 1856 and originally served as the town hall for Ambleside. Later, it was turned into the law courts and police cells.

In 1919, the Courthouse building was taken over by Frederick Penrice, who opened a draper’s shop here. He was one of 11 siblings and moved to Ambleside following his training in London.

The business was a real family affair, with several family members helping to run it. What started out as a general draper’s shop eventually evolved into a specialist clothing outfitter, serving residents and visitors to the town for 75 years. It closed in 1994.

This is when the building became the Old Courthouse Gallery, first opened by the Brammall family. They renovated and opened the upstairs space, creating bespoke fittings and a mezzanine level, but maintaining many original features and all the existing character.

In 2016, the gallery was acquired by the current owners, Paul and Caroline Jones.

The Old Courthouse Gallery opening hours

The Old Courthouse Gallery is usually open every day, however, it may be closed for holidays. The opening hours are:

Monday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sundays: 10am – 4pm

Inside the Gallery

Inside the Old Courthouse Gallery, you’ll find a range of contemporary artworks from both local and national artists. There’s a painting to suit every taste here from over 100 artists and makers, including:

Fine landscape watercolours
Contemporary oils
Abstract conceptual work
Acrylics
Drawings

As well as paintings, other works here include:

Ceramics
Glass
Furniture
Wood art
Sculpture
Jewellery
Textiles

Many of the works are inspired by the stunning surroundings of the Lake District National Park, and there are original works, limited editions, and handmade pieces available. You are welcome to simply browse the artworks, or you can make a purchase if you fancy taking something home with you.

There’s something to suit every budget, with some smaller gifts and items available.

There are different spaces inside the gallery to explore, including:

Main upstairs gallery
Open mezzanine area
Chambers room – used for exhibitions
Entrance room
Ruskin room

Other things to do in Ambleside

Once you’ve ticked off the Old Courthouse Gallery, why not visit some of the other attractions that Ambleside and its surroundings boast? These include:

Bridge House (free to visit)
Ambleside Roman Fort (free to visit)
Armitt Museum and Library
Dove Cottage
Brantwood House
Theatre by the Lake

How to get to the Old Courthouse Gallery from YHA Ambleside

The Old Courthouse Gallery is about 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) from YHA Ambleside.

On foot: It takes around 22 minutes to walk from the Youth Hostel to the Old Courthouse Gallery.

Cycling: It’s approximately a nine-minute bike ride from the hostel to the art gallery.

By public transport: From YHA Ambleside, walk for about four minutes to the bus stop at Waterhead Pier. Catch the 599 bus to Grasmere, alighting at Ambleside Bus Interchange. From here, it’s around a four-minute walk to the Old Courthouse Gallery. The whole journey should take approximately 12 minutes.

By car: It takes about six minutes to drive from YHA Ambleside to the Old Courthouse Gallery. There is free on-street parking available behind the gallery for a maximum of one hour, but spaces are limited. The main town centre car parks are between five- and ten-minutes’ walk away.