Rydal Hall works to enhance and protect its beautiful environment and has always welcomed creative partnerships. Our stunning setting and grounds have a history of inspiring creative people and we continue to value that interaction.

As well as an annual residential arts programme which ranges from icon painting to photography we enjoy acting as hosts for a number of self-organised groups from orchestras and singing schools to spinners, weavers and dyers.  Do contact our office if you are interested in any of the above.

The Old Schoolhouse Tearoom is the venue for a variety of exhibitions and artists associated with those are often to be found on site demonstrating their skills.

Sculptures in different materials can be found throughout the estate and we invite you to explore, enjoy and respect them.

Our groups' co-ordinator, Jan Thirlwell, is also a potter and works part-time from her yurt in the campsite grounds. She welcomes visitors, is happy to discuss her work and is also available to organise workshops.

Rydal Hall welcomed the introduction of an unusual sculpture path into its woodland over a decade ago and has been privileged to receive many donations of sculptures in metal, stone, wood and ceramics.  Most of the textile work has been created by designer Dianne Standen who has been inspired by the dynamic forms that arise from the movement of air and water such as spirals, vortices and droplets. She outlines” My work is largely created from reused materials and wool which weathers with the seasons. This means it is constantly changing and evolving with many pieces providing habitats for insect and fungal life.

Most importantly the textiles are designed to blend with the natural environment and encourage exploration of the stunning natural forms, vegetation and mosses throughout the estate.”

Rydal Beck threads through woodland in a cascade of waterfalls and has been used as a source of natural energy, hydropower, by the Rydal Estate for nearly 100 years. (You are welcome to walk up the waterfalls and through the adjoining woods on a circular route but please be advised paths can be slippery and steep so suitable footwear and care are advised.) We take our environmental responsibility seriously and encourage our visitors to join with us in our efforts to reduce our impact on this stunning part of the UK.

The three ponds are interlinked letting water directed from the fells above to flow from one to the next via an aqueduct. Water is vital for many insects and mammals to thrive in our woodland. The lower wetland is a bog designed to retain moisture which supports water-loving plants such as bulrushes and flag iris.

With a little vision and a lot of determination, a damaged tree became the starting point to build a project which will improve this woodland’s biodiversity.

This is just one of the many areas dedicated to providing wildlife habitat throughout the Rydal Hall Estate.

Other plant species introduced to improve the woodland biodiversity include:

Water Lilies Burdock, Meadow Thistle, Ladies Mantle, Cranesbill, Bluebells, Giant Teasels, Wood Anemone, yellow poppies, grasses, cowslips, ferns, red campion and foxgloves

By avoiding the grassed areas, you are helping to support this project to flourish and improve.

We appreciate your help.