Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 62 works by Lamorna Birch in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Lamorna Birch left, the most famous is Our Little Stream, Lamorna (1926). Close behind it come The Lonely Pool (1897) and The Lonely Pool (1897). Our catalog holds 62 works by Lamorna Birch; the gallery has kept the 61 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
We are looking at Our Little Stream, Lamorna, an oil on canvas created by the English painter Lamorna Birch. This particular work dates to ca. 1926. It captures a quiet, secluded moment within the Cornish landscape, focusing on a stream that occupies much of the view, with only a small sliver of sky visible in the upper left corner.
Lingering Snows1906
12
Trees in the Snow by a River1906
13
The Orchard (A Study into the Sun)1910 · Penlee House Gallery - Museum
14
Landscape with Trees1906
15
Brookhouse1906
16
Mountain Landscape Study for 'Wengen Heights'1912
17
The Stream at Lamorna, Penzance, Cornwall1914 · Touchstones Rochdale
18
Carn Barges, Cornwall1918 · Beverley Art Gallery
19
The Serpentine Quarry, near Mullion, Cornwall1920
20
In Our Old World Valley1921 · Penlee House Gallery - Museum
21
Woodland Scene1921
22
Tregiffian Cliff, near Lamorna1921 · Bristol Museum - Art Gallery
23
A Cornish Stream1928
24
Moorland, Distant Hills1928
25
Trees by a Moorland stream1928
26
Morning Fills the Bowl1926
27
Trewoofe from the Cairn, Cornwall1930
28
The Devil's Punchbowl1934 · Penlee House Gallery - Museum
29
Fallen Acorns1904 · Harris Museum - Art Gallery
30
Nancledra Old Cornish Village1931
31
Village near Wareham, Dorset1939
32
Caton1895
33
Cattle by a Stream1898 · Harris Museum - Art Gallery
34
Trees, Sombre Tones1906
35
Lancaster1903
36
Changing the fly, River Dove, Ashbourne, DerbyshireArt Gallery of New South Wales
37
Lamorna
38
November Bissoe, Cornwall
39
St Jean Pied de Port, Basse Pyrenees
40
River Landscape
41
A Cornish Coastal SceneNational Trust
42
Old Norham on Tweed
43
Fresh Winds on a May Day, Isla River, Aberdeenshire
44
Morning at Lamorna Cove, Cornwall
45
A June Morning
46
Bridge at Étaples, France
47
Sutherland Scene
48
The Morning MistSunderland Museum - Winter Gardens
49
Winter in the West
50
A Blue Day on Deveron's Banks
51
The Rocks at LamornaPenlee House Gallery - Museum
52
Evensong the Brook at Halton Green
53
January, Where Daffodils Lie SleepingPaisley Art Institute Collection
54
The Quarry Pool
55
Stream with Boulders
56
The WaveThe Whitworth
57
The Avon at BristolBristol Museum - Art Gallery
58
January (The Mill at Lamorna)Penlee House Gallery - Museum
59
Stream, Trees, Pastureland1930
60
Tweed's Fair River, Melrose1921
61
Kerris Quarry1937 · Penlee House Gallery - Museum
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Lamorna Birch | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Penlee House Gallery - Museum |
Penzance | 7 | Spring Morning, The Orchard (A Study into the Sun), In Our Old World Valley |
 Grundy Art Gallery |
Blackpool | 2 | The Lonely Pool, The Lonely Pool |
 Bristol Museum - Art Gallery |
Bristol | 2 | Tregiffian Cliff, near Lamorna, The Avon at Bristol |
 Harris Museum - Art Gallery |
Preston | 2 | Fallen Acorns, Cattle by a Stream |
 Laing Art Gallery |
Newcastle upon Tyne | 1 | Landscape |
 Touchstones Rochdale |
Rochdale | 1 | The Stream at Lamorna, Penzance, Cornwall |
 Beverley Art Gallery |
Beverley | 1 | Carn Barges, Cornwall |
 Art Gallery of New South Wales |
Sydney | 1 | Changing the fly, River Dove, Ashbourne, Derbyshire |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
We are looking at Our Little Stream, Lamorna, an oil on canvas created by the English painter Lamorna Birch. This particular work dates to ca. 1926. It captures a quiet, secluded moment within the Cornish landscape, focusing on a stream that occupies much of the view, with only a small sliver of sky visible in the upper left corner.
Our Little Stream, Lamorna (1926). The Lonely Pool (1897) and The Lonely Pool (1897) come next.
57 years old: Our Little Stream, Lamorna dates from 1926, and Lamorna Birch was born in 1869.
Our Little Stream, Lamorna, The Lonely Pool, The Lonely Pool, December, Winter – Roseworthy Valley, Camborne, Winter, Spring Morning, Spring in the Lune Valley, Landscape and Loe Pool, Helston, Cornwall. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 62 works by Lamorna Birch, dated from 1895 to 1939.
Mostly in Penlee House Gallery - Museum (Penzance), Grundy Art Gallery (Blackpool) and Bristol Museum - Art Gallery (Bristol). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1900s: 13 of the 61 works on this page were made then, December among them.
On this page, the earliest is Caton (1895) and the latest Village near Wareham, Dorset (1939).
Landscape (4), River (3) and Stream (2), across the 61 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 2 of the 61 works on this page.
Impressionism, judging by the originals on this page.
Spring Morning, The Orchard (A Study into the Sun) and In Our Old World Valley: the Penlee House Gallery - Museum, Penzance holds 7 of the works on this page.
Samuel John “Lamorna” Birch, a name synonymous with the evocative beauty of Cornwall, was more than just an artist; he was a chronicler of a vanishing landscape and a master of capturing the soul of the sea. Born in Egremont, Cheshire, in 1869, his journey to becoming one of Britain’s most celebrated watercolourists began not with formal training but with a deep connection to the natural world – a fascination ignited by fly-fishing on the rivers of West Cornwall. This early immersion shaped his artistic sensibility, imbuing his work with an intimate understanding of light, water, and the rhythms of coastal life.
Birch’s initial exposure to art came during a brief sojourn in Paris at the Académie Colarossi in 1895. However, he quickly returned to England, establishing himself in Lamorna, Cornwall – a small fishing village that would become inextricably linked with his identity and artistic output. It was here, amidst the rugged coastline and vibrant community, that he truly flourished, adopting “Lamorna” as his signature, distinguishing himself from another artist sharing the same surname. This deliberate choice reflected his deep commitment to this particular corner of Cornwall, a place he considered his true home.
Birch’s artistic development was profoundly influenced by the burgeoning Newlyn School of artists in the late 19th century. Figures like Stanhope Forbes and Frank Bramley were already capturing the spirit of Cornwall with bold colours and loose brushwork, depicting scenes of rural life and coastal landscapes. Birch initially sought their guidance, but he soon forged his own path, establishing a second group centered around Lamorna Cove – a cluster of artists who shared his passion for the region’s beauty and his distinctive style. This “Lamorna Group,” which included Laura Knight, Harold Knight, and Alfred Munnings, became known for its vibrant palette, loose brushwork, and focus on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere.
Birch's work moved beyond mere topographical representation; he sought to convey a sense of mood and emotion. His paintings are characterized by a subtle use of colour, often employing muted tones to create a feeling of atmospheric depth. He expertly rendered reflections on water, capturing the shimmering dance of light upon the waves – a skill honed through years of observing the rivers and coastline of Cornwall.
Birch’s artistic talent quickly gained recognition. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1893 onwards, steadily gaining acclaim for his evocative depictions of Cornish life and landscapes. In 1926, he was elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy (ARA), a significant honor recognizing his contribution to British art. Eight years later, in 1934, he received the ultimate accolade – becoming a full Royal Academician (RA). Throughout his prolific career, Birch produced an astonishing number of paintings—estimates suggest over 20,000—a testament to his unwavering dedication and artistic drive.
Beyond his formal accolades, Birch’s legacy extends through the works themselves. His paintings are held in prestigious collections across Britain, including Penlee House Gallery & Museum in Cornwall and the Derby Art Gallery. His connection to New Zealand is also notable, having spent time there in 1937, documenting its landscapes and earning the admiration of local artists.
Birch’s artistic focus remained consistently rooted in the Cornish landscape, particularly the area around Lamorna Cove. His subjects ranged from bustling fishing scenes to tranquil depictions of coastal paths and dramatic seascapes. He frequently portrayed fishermen at work, capturing their weathered faces and the timeless rhythm of their trade. The interplay between man and nature is a recurring theme, reflecting Birch’s deep respect for the environment and his desire to document its beauty before it was irrevocably altered.
His style evolved over time, moving from a more academic approach in his early works to a looser, more expressive technique later in life. However, throughout his career, he maintained a distinctive use of colour and light—a hallmark of his unique vision. Birch’s paintings are not merely representations of landscapes; they are imbued with a sense of atmosphere, emotion, and the enduring spirit of Cornwall.
Samuel John “Lamorna” Birch died in 1955 at the age of 86, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that continues to captivate viewers today. His paintings offer a poignant glimpse into a bygone era—a time when artists sought inspiration in the natural world and captured its beauty with honesty and passion. His legacy as one of Britain’s most beloved watercolourists remains secure, his evocative depictions of Cornwall forever etched in the hearts of art lovers everywhere.
