Forty Farms: Photography Exhibition by Amy Bateman

This autumn, TBTL, in partnership with Keswick Town Council, presents Forty Farms, an extraordinary photographic exhibition by award-winning photographer and Cumbrian livestock farmer Amy Bateman.

Spanning the theatre’s Circle Gallery and the railings of Hope Park, the exhibition explores the people behind Cumbria’s farming landscape through intimate portraits and stories from forty very different farming businesses across the county.

Over the course of a year, Amy travelled throughout Cumbria documenting the realities of modern farming. The resulting exhibition reveals a rural industry that is constantly evolving, balancing generations of tradition with innovation, diversification and environmental stewardship. Together, the photographs celebrate the resilience, individuality and dedication of the people who care for the landscapes we know and love.

The exhibition accompanies TBTL’s world premiere production of The Farmer’s Wife, inspired by Helen Rebanks’ bestselling memoir. During the development of the play, playwright Hannah Khalil and director Liz Stevenson met with several of the women featured in Forty Farms, including Susan Aglionby of Susan’s Farm and Amy Bateman herself. Their stories and experiences helped shape the production, creating a connection between the exhibition and the play.

Developed in partnership with Keswick Town Council, Forty Farms invites both theatre audiences and visitors to Keswick to engage with the stories behind Cumbria’s farming communities. Large-scale outdoor portraits in Hope Park create a free, accessible exhibition, while the Circle Gallery features additional photography and interpretation that explores the themes in greater depth.

Whether you’re visiting to see the exhibition, attending The Farmer’s Wife, or simply passing through Keswick, Forty Farms offers a unique opportunity to discover the people behind one of Cumbria’s defining landscapes.