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  1. Carlisle Cathedral
    Churches around Cumbria

You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage > Cumbrian Churches

Cumbrian Churches

Church buildings are a perennial feature of the Cumbrian landscape. Usually they’re the oldest building in the parish, for it was around them that most of the earliest villages and towns were built. As a result, they are some of the most architecturally, culturally and historically significant buildings in an area.
 
These 'living' buildings, many of which still function as a place worship, are cultural and heritage landmarks. Many are fine examples of local and national craftmanship, and nearly all of them tell the story of Cumbria’s communities.

Cumbria has a history of invasion and settlement; the Romans, Celts, Anglo Saxons, Vikings, Normans and Border Rievers, all have lived and worshipped here and left their story in our church buildings; a fusion reflected in stone. 

Characteristically small and simple, yet not without beauty and grace, they reflect the religious, social and economics of a rural landscape formed of lakes, mountains, coastline and border frontiers.

The Anglo-Scottish war (c1296 - c1513) curtailed the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, yet retained Norman influences as well as creating Cumbria's distinctive fortified churches.  18th century prosperity produced classical formality, Victorian growth and romanticism, contributed to the county known as the land of lakes and fells, Wordsworth, and Beatrix Potter.

The history of Cumbria and its people can be read in the stone of our churches, revealing the diversity of the county and the landscape in which they belong.

The Churches Trust for Cumbria exists to provide support to church buildings across Cumbria and aims to encourage the sustainable use of these unique heritage buildings and keep their communities alive. Delve further into the history of Cumbrian Churches by scrolling down to our list of churches around Cumbria lower down the page. For more information on a specific area of the county, use the links below. You can also find out more about individual churches within Cumbria on the 'A Church Near You' website.

Explore Cumbrian churches by area

  • Churches of Carlisle and Hadrian's Wall
  • Churches of Eden Valley & North Pennines
  • Churches of The Lake District
  • Churches of Morecambe Bay
  • Churches of The Western Lakes & Coast
  • Churches of The Eastern Lakes and Yorkshire Dales

Some of the most architecturally, culturally and historically significant buildings in Cumbria

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Number of results: 62

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  1. Cartmel Priory
    Cartmel Priory
    Cartmel Priory

    Address

    Devonshire Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6QD

    Telephone

    01539 536261

    cartmelpriory@gmail.com

    Grange-over-Sands

    Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression on the visitor, standing over the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.

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  2. St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    Our Lady & St Wilfrid Church, Warwick Bridge

    Address

    Waters Meet, Warwick Bridge, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA4 8RX

    Telephone

    07936 135834

    CARLISLE

    This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed by ‘God’s Architect’ Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. The church retains all of its original elaborate architectural features, fittings and furniture,…

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  3. St Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
    St Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
    St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead

    Address

    Church Hill, Hawkshead, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 0PQ

    Telephone

    01539 436301

    AMBLESIDE

    Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District church. It has literary connections with Wordsworth and was also the home the home of Archbishop Sandys in the 16th century.

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  4. St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster
    St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster
    St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster

    Address

    Muncaster, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RJ

    Ravenglass

    Located in the grounds of Muncaster Castle, it is believed that worship on this site dates to pre Christian times.

    Built on land used by the monks of Furness Abbey to graze their sheep. It seems likely that there was an earlier church, in the…

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  5. Jesus Church, Troutbeck
    Jesus Church, Troutbeck
    Jesus Church, Troutbeck

    Address

    Sun Hill Lane, Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1PE

    Windermere

    Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect and find their eternal bearings.

    One of only two churches in England dedicated as Jesus Church. Built to serve two settlements, yet sited in neither,…

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  6. Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Arches and Exterior at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Exterior and Grounds of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Arches and Exterior at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Exterior and Grounds of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Furness Abbey

    Address

    Furness Abbey, Manor Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0PJ

    Telephone

    01229 823420

    customers@english-heritage.org.uk

    Barrow-in-Furness

    Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

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  7. Stained glass window at St. Martin's Church Brampton
    Stained glass window at St. Martin's Church Brampton
    St. Martin's Church, Brampton

    Address

    Main Street, BRAMPTON, Cumbria, CA8 1SH

    Telephone

    01697 741304

    info@stmartinsbrampton.org.uk

    BRAMPTON

    A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner and the only church designed by preRaphaelite architect Philip Webb.

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  8. St, Bega's Church, Bassenthwaite
    St, Bega's Church, Bassenthwaite
    St. Bega's Church, Bassenthwaite

    Address

    St. Bega's Church, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QZ

    vicar@binsey.org.uk

    Keswick

    The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.

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  9. St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld
    St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld
    St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld

    Address

    Great Salkeld, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 9NA

    Telephone

    01768 898396

    PENRITH

    There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was rested here after being brought from Holy Island. The Pele Tower was added in 1380, with an iron door for defence of the inhabitants against the Scots.

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  10. St. Cuthbert Church, Bewcastle
    St. Cuthbert Church, Bewcastle
    St. Cuthbert's Church, Bewcastle

    Address

    Bewcastle, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA6 6PS

    Telephone

    016977 48311

    info@bewcastle.com

    CARLISLE

    The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years. The church is somewhat simpler and certainly younger, with some parts of it dating from 1277, although mostly it is from the…

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  11. Hawkshead Chapel
    Hawkshead Chapel
    Hawkshead Chapel

    Address

    The Square, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NZ

    Ambleside

    One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world and possibly one of the most unique buildings.

    Converted from a 15th century cottage in 1862, a small group of local Christians worshipped at 'Union Chapel'. The benefactor was Mrs Satterthwaite. In…

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  12. St John the Evangelist, Cowgill
    St John the Evangelist, Cowgill
    St John the Evangelist, Cowgill

    Address

    Cowgill, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5RJ

    Sedbergh

    Cowgill church is a welcoming haven for walkers, cyclists and other visitors, sitting on the Dales Way in the the Yorkshire Dales National Park just a mile from the Settle Carlisle Railway and Dent Station.

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  13. St. Andrew's Church, Penrith
    St. Andrew's Church, Penrith
    St. Andrew's Church, Penrith

    Address

    St. Andrews Place, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 7XX

    Telephone

    01768 862867

    penrithparishoffice@gmail.com

    PENRITH

    According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time in the county’, rebuilt in 1720 on an ancient site

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  14. St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale
    St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale
    St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Address

    Market Street, Kirkby Lonsdale, CARNFORTH, Lancashire, LA6 2AU

    Telephone

    015242 72044

    office@therainbowparish.org

    CARNFORTH

    Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with commanding views from the churchyard.

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  15. St Cuthbert, Aldingham
    St Cuthbert, Aldingham
    St Cuthbert, Aldingham

    Address

    Aldingham, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9RT

    Ulverston

    Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay, an area of designated county landscape importance and scenic beauty.

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  16. St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
    St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
    St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere

    Address

    St Martin's Church, Lake Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3DE

    Telephone

    01768 898396

    Bowness-on-Windermere

    Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts medieval architecture, awe-inspiring stained glass windows, and a long and varied history spanning over 800 years. The earliest records of a church at…

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  17. Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts
    Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts
    Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts

    Address

    Brigflatts Lane, SEDBERGH, Cumbria, LA10 5HN

    Telephone

    01539 620005

    warden@brigflatts.org

    SEDBERGH

    Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world.

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  18. St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
    St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
    St. Andrew's Church, Dacre

    Address

    Dacre, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 0HL

    admin@dacrechurch.com

    PENRITH

    A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home of the Dacre Bears, four unique medieval stone statues.

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  19. Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown

    Address

    The Glebe, Abbeytown, WIGTON, Cumbria, CA7 4SD

    WIGTON

    Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution of the Monasteries for this church, when the local people successfully petitioned Thomas Cromwell to allow them to continue to use the church.

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  20. St. Mary Church, Wreay
    St. Mary Church, Wreay
    St Mary Church, Wreay

    Address

    Wreay, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA4 0RL

    Telephone

    01228 710215

    CARLISLE

    A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her sister and parents. Influenced by the architecture seen on her Grand Tour of Europe, she created an original design that was very much at odds with the…

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