The Bunting is going up and the flags are waving in Ashbourne which means it's the beginning of the festival season! Hopton Hall Gallery will be joining in starting with the Spring Art Fair 23 and 24th May, which forms part of a countywide opening of artists studios and shows. We are host to five artists.
Diana Green
Cheryl Wilbraham
Katie Wyke
Mark Langley
Steph Jansen
The following weekend 30 and 31st May we are pleased to support the new Artbourne Art Trail which is a two day trail taking place across Ashbourne town centre. Visitors will explore the town at their own pace, following a printed map that guides them between participating venues. Wristbands will be worn by visitors to access venues. Artists within our gallery will be:
Emande Ceramics
Ian Patrick Palmer
LindaS Art Glass
Lottie Adams
Rosie Priestley Jewellery
This June and July, Hopton Hall Gallery has a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events. With a combination of a solo and group show alongside hands-on workshops, the gallery offers visitors a great artistic experience across both floors.
On the ground floor, Lesley Linley, winner of the Hopton Hall 2025 Month of Art presents a captivating solo exhibition of watercolours. Linley’s work reflects a lifelong dedication to art, with a career spanning graphic design, teaching, calligraphy, and painting. Working in traditional watercolour, she captures the atmospheric beauty of the Peak District and the Isle of Skye, where she lived for nearly fourteen years and ran a successful studio.
Her paintings evoke a strong sense of place and memory, from cascading waterfalls and expansive landscapes to delicate studies of flowers and glassware. These still life works reveal her fascination with light, reflection, and intricate shadow patterns. Since returning to Derbyshire, Linley has drawn inspiration from the region’s rolling hills and rich architectural heritage, bringing a renewed depth to her practice.
On the First Floor, the Peaks in Pigment exhibition brings together Bob Bernard, Craig Longmuir, Jill Ray, Greta Vilidaite and Gina in a bold and tactile celebration of oil painting and mixed media. Inspired by landscape and place, the exhibition revels in colour, texture, and painterly confidence.
Alongside the exhibitions, visitors can take part in a couple of engaging events. On 4 June 2026, Kate Dawes leads a Botanical Pen and Watercolour Workshop, welcoming participants of all abilities. This relaxed, group session explores pen techniques alongside ‘dry’ watercolour methods, guiding attendees to create their own A4 botanical artwork using provided materials and seasonal plant inspiration.You can book here
Later in the month, from 20 - 21 June, Lesley Linley leads a special event as part of the Ashbourne Street Festival. Visitors can join her for a drop-in “Create a Postcard” session and book launch, painting seaside-inspired watercolour scenes in a friendly, accessible environment. Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, these postcard-sized works offer a satisfying and creative introduction to watercolour techniques.
Together, these exhibitions and events make Hopton Hall Gallery a must-visit destination this spring / summer offering not only exceptional artwork but also the chance to engage, learn, and be inspired.
