Castlegate House Gallery

Castlegate House Gallery exhibits contemporary paintings, sculpture and ceramics from Northern and Scottish artists. There are special exhibitions of guest and gallery artists throughout the year.

Situated on the ground floor of a Grade II* listed Georgian House built in 1739 - it is a friendly place to visit with a warm welcome - and a coal fire in winter. With beautifully proportioned rooms, Adam ceiling and interesting features, it is a great setting for art of a high standard. The walled Secret Garden is open on fine days in summer with a selection of sculpture.

Chris Wadsworth opened the gallery in 1987 and has built it up over the last two decades into a thriving business. It now enjoys a reputation for being one of the leading commercial galleries in the North of England. She has mounted some notable solo exhibitions including L S Lowry, Winifred Nicholson, Sheila Fell, Percy Kelly, Charles Oakley, Barbara Rae, Picasso etchings and many more. She has written about her experiences in Hercules and the Farmer's Wife (Aurum Press)

Sited opposite the Castle in the lovely 'gem' town of Cockermouth it has a lot to offer art lovers. Wordsworth House, birthplace of William and Dorothy Wordsworth is just down the Main street. Cockermouth is a lively market town full of interesting individual shops and galleries away from the tourist hot spots, With river walks, brewery tours, an arts centre, independent book shop and lots of coffee shops and restaurants.(no Macdonalds, Costas or Starbucks) it is an easy, friendly place.