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Churches of Morecambe Bay

Church buildings are some of the most architecturally and historically interesting in an area, showing changes through the generations and varying architectural tastes and styles.

The colossal red sandstone ruins of Furness Abbey, Barrow in Furness are testament that it was once the second wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in England. Described as medieval jewel among churches Cartmel Priory, survived the reformations Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s. It has three distinct periods of architecture: Transitional Norman (1190 to 1250), Decorated (1320 to 50) and Perpendicular (1400 to 50). St Anthony, in contrast is a small, low, roughcast church, with the characteristics of a Lakeland long barn. It was an alternative for to travelling to Cartmel Priory each Sunday. Unlike ancient churches which are often a mixture of styles and periods, St Peters, Field Broughton designed by the Victorian architects, Austin and Paley, has a holistic approach to design and retains many of its original features. The same architects won a competition for a mountain chapel with St Peters, Finsthwaite, the church appears as if hewn from the rock, firmly rooted in the landscape. St Peter, Heversham, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see today reflects its long and fascinating history.

Below, we have highlighted just a few of the churches in the Morecambe Bay area for you to explore. As well as this area, you can also find out more about churches in the following areas of the county:

Furness Abbey

Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
1. 1 Apr 202529 Oct 2025
2. 30 Oct 20255 Nov 2025
3. 6 Nov 202528 Mar 2026
St Anthony's Church, Cartmel Fell

Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a graveyard rich with wildflowers, the interior contains unusual box pews, a triple decker pulpit and stained glass both ancient and modern.
Cartmel Priory

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.
St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton

St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite

St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an award for its design as a ‘mountain chapel’.
St. Peter's Church, Heversham

St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see today reflects its long and fascinating history.