OUR STORY

2000 - CASTLE ARTS

After working in retail management for fifteen years, David Lilford opened an independent art gallery on 76 Castle Street in Canterbury. David was 35 and dissatisfied with his career path. Feeling that life was too short to spend it doing something that did not make him happy, with the support of his wife, Dawn Lilford, he opened Castle Arts.

As a child, he dragged his parents to art galleries, and in later life, visited every exhibition he could, which is how he ended up knowing quite a few artists. This gave him a good start in the art world, as well as works to show. A number of the artists he worked with back then are still with the gallery today! From the very beginning, our approach has been to work with people with whom we can build long-lasting relationships.

2010 - LILFORD FRAMING & GALLERY

Castle Arts was renamed to Lilford Framing & Gallery, run by Dawn Lilford, where you will find original art and our very own framing studio. Trevor, our framer, has nearly 40 years of experience and has framed works by high-profile artists such as Banksy, Sir Antony Gormley, Keith Haring, Henri Matisse, and Roy Lichtenstein. He works to the highest framing standards and has a strong ethos for conservation and attention to detail. If you have any framing needs do not hesitate to contact us. Over the years, Trevor has been challenged to frame all sorts of keepsakes and sports memorabilia, even a pair of shoes! Trevor frames 90% of the works we display in both of our galleries.

At Lilford Framing & Gallery on Castle Street you can also find Annie Designs, a jewellery and silversmith workshop/studio, where you can buy beautiful, handmade silver jewellery, and also make your own unique silver ring in one of Annie’s silver ring workshops, which offer a fully-guided, one-to-one introduction to silver jewellery making. Sessions are available to book Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings (10am start).

2012- LILFORD GALLERY ON PALACE STREET

Lilford Gallery expanded in 2012 when David opened the gallery on Palace Street, and in doing so, joined a flourishing community of small, independent businesses on the Kingsmile. The new gallery space allowed the Lilfords to exhibit their collection across both buildings and to branch out and work with more artists.

LILFORD GALLERY TODAY

Over the years Lilford Gallery has built up its eclectic collection of works by artists working across a wide-variety of mediums, we have works by local artists, internationally renowned artists, and sculptors. Since opening in 2000, we have held works from Banksy, Tracy Emin, Billy Childish, JMW Turner, Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, and David Hockney.

Family owned and operated, we do our best to ensure that every visit to our gallery is memorable and special.

We break away from the uncomfortable feeling of needing to check your wallet before you can come in. Our team is made up of people who are passionate about art, love talking about the works and the artists we show, and who are welcoming to everyone - from collectors, to those new to art, and to anyone looking to have a browse and find some inspiration.