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Beauty, brains and exceedingly good taste: the Lake District, Cumbria is the full package. Here we celebrate a living culture that incorporates the past but is rooted firmly in the present. Our history - ancient and more recent - is alive and well in the very Cumbrian landscape, but you can interpret it in our impressive collection of museums that tell Cumbria’s story - from prehistory right through to the modern age.
There’s an impressive list of radical thinkers and artistic pioneers who found inspiration here – William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, JMW Turner, John Ruskin, Kurt Schwitters, Josefina de Vasconcellos and Andy Goldsworthy. You can walk in their footsteps, visit their homes and explore the rich creative life built on their exceptional heritage.
You can see and feel it within a few short miles: as well as museums and heritage centres there are scores of galleries, exhibitions and artists’ studios; there’s artworks in the mountains and forests; a packed, year-round programme of live theatre performances, independent cinemas and festivals celebrating all manner of creative endeavours, from music to local craft. And yes, we have lots of traditional performance venues, but there’s a particular thrill in attending a show on an outdoor stage in a spectacular setting.
Inspiration
Rheged is a gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the…
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie…
Pilgrims Contemporary invites you on an art pilgrimage to our new gallery space in the stunning…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
The Old Courthouse Gallery, Ambleside (OCG) is honoured to announce a very special exhibition…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
The Coro is an historic arts, culture and entertainment venue presenting Theatre, Music, Comedy,…
The loveliest spot that man hath ever found
Number of results: 47
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
Penrith
Beautifully converted 17thC farm buildings. Gallery, vegetarian restaurant, gift shop and 128 seat puppet theatre.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking museum in the Lakes', Rough Guide - all editions.
Barrow-in-Furness
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. The museum is a great day out for all with a popular playground, attractive Channelside walks, cafe…
Ambleside
Zeffirellis is an independent cinema that supports new and emerging talents within the world of cinema and the arts. We offer the complete evening out, you can wine and dine and see a film.
Keswick
Gorgeously restored two-screen Edwardian cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as indie movies, and live-streamed theatre, ballet and music.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Keswick
Theatre by the Lake has a setting on the shores of Derwentwater no other professional theatre in Britain can match. Each year it stages up to nine of its own productions of classic, modern and new plays and has won multi-starred reviews.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Kendal
Brewery Arts is a thriving and dynamic arts organisation with over forty years' experience of delivering an exciting and inspirational programme, including cultural events, festivals and creative learning courses. Our venue is a beautiful, historic…
Carlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
Boot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
Whitehaven
Award winning attraction, The Rum Story, is the worlds first exhibition depicting the story of the UK rum trade.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Ambleside
The Beatrix Potter Gallery is currently CLOSED for the rest of the year due to urgent maintenance and restoration works. This charming 17th century building, which served as the office of Beatrix Potter's solicitor husband, now houses an annually…
Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Bowness on Windermere
Set in the heart of the Lake District, this intimate theatre shares a building in Bowness with the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. The Theatre produces a lively programme of professional drama, music, folk, comedy, lectures and film.
Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Kendal
ONE OF THE UK'S OLDEST MUSEUMS, where History and Nature meet
Hawkshead
Grizedale Forest has activities for all ages from mountain biking to relaxing walks, Go-Ape to sculpture in the forest. The Visitor Centre includes the Forest Shop, Cafe in the Forest and shop.
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