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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. St John the Evangelist, Levens
    St John the Evangelist, Levens
    St John the Evangelist, Levens

    Address

    Church Road, Levens, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8PS

    Kendal

    A local landmark, the church is set on the end of a limestone ridge at the gateway to the Lake District National Park with beautiful views across the Kent Estuary to Morecambe Bay.

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  2. St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
    St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
    St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick

    Address

    Church Road, Great Urswick, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0TA

    Ulverston

    St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly carved crosses were found on the site and are now on display in the church.

    The building's history is palpable and its setting is peaceful. Clues to…

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  3. 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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  4. St. Mary's Church, Ambleside
    St. Mary's Church, Ambleside
    St. Mary's Church, Ambleside

    Address

    Vicarage Road, AMBLESIDE, Cumbria, LA22 9DH

    Telephone

    015394 34512

    stmaryspcc@stmaryspcc.plus.com

    AMBLESIDE

    Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.

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  5. 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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  6. St. James' Church, Whitehaven
    St. James' Church, Whitehaven

    Address

    High Street, WHITEHAVEN, Cumbria, CA28 7PY

    WHITEHAVEN

    A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.

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  7. St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk

    Address

    Kirkandrews on Esk, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA6 5NF

    Telephone

    01228 792875

    CARLISLE

    The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of its past. The church serves the scattered population in the rural parish of Kirkandrews on Esk, once the centre of the historic and lawless Debateable…

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  8. St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune
    St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune
    St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune

    Address

    Marthwaite, SEDBERGH, Cumbria, LA10 5ED

    Telephone

    0845 303 2760

    north@thecct.org.uk

    SEDBERGH

    Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western Railway was building its Ingleton branch and sent a Scripture Reader to the navvies.

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  9. Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington
    Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington
    Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington

    Address

    Banklands, WORKINGTON, Cumbria, CA14 3EP

    info@workingtoncatholicchurch.co.uk

    WORKINGTON

    The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873 - 1876 to replace a chapel in the grounds which now forms part of St Joseph's High School.

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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. Cautley Chaple, Sedbergh
    Cautley Chaple, Sedbergh
    Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh

    Address

    Cautley, SEDBERGH, Cumbria, LA10 5LY

    Telephone

    01539 620329

    SEDBERGH

    Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed windows, Cautley Wesleyan chapel is a good example of its type and date.

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  13. St. Martin of Tours, Martindale
    St. Martin of Tours, Martindale
    St. Martin of Tours Church, Martindale

    Address

    Martindale, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA10 2NF

    Telephone

    01768 898396

    PENRITH

    The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel dating from 1220. The church is fully open and much visited, with all entries in the visitor’s book remarking on the special atmosphere and sense of peace…

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  14. St. Bees Priory
    St. Bees Priory
    St. Bees Priory

    Address

    ST. BEES, Cumbria, CA27 0DR

    enquiries@stbeespriory.org.uk

    ST. BEES

    The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and historic church in the seaside village of St Bees, built in 1120, is all that remains of the original Priory, but it is a thriving and much loved…

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  15. St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
    St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
    St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head

    Address

    Wasdale Head, SEASCALE, Cumbria, CA20 1EX

    SEASCALE

    The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.

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  16. Holy Trinity, Casterton
    Holy Trinity, Casterton
    Holy Trinity, Casterton

    Address

    Casterton, Carnforth, LA6 2SG

    Carnforth

    Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and parish church with a strong connection with local heritage and Bronte sisters.

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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. St Michael and All Angels church, Arthuret
    St Michael and All Angels church, Arthuret
    St Michael and All Angels, Arthuret

    Address

    Arthuret Road, Longtown, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA6 5SN

    Carlisle

    Said to be the resting place of the legendary King Arthur. The church of St Michael & All Angels is situated on a hill in the ancient parish of Arthuret and overlooks the market town of Longtown with fine views of the surrounding countryside.

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  20. 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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