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Wherever you are in Cumbria and the Lake District you can feel the shadow of a deep cultural heritage. Here are the standing stones and circles of the ancients, the powerful traces of Rome and the mighty fortresses of the Normans. The history of the Vikings, the Angles and the Saxons is read in the names they left behind, including fell, dale, beck, ghyll, mere, tarn and howe.
Later arrivals came not to conquer but to bask in the beauty of the landscapes and let it inspire them to artistic greatness: William Wordsworth, John Ruskin, Beatrix Potter, JMW Turner, Kurt Schwitters and Andy Goldsworthy are just a few of the names who carved their creativity out of Cumbrian stone; today, a rich creative life builds on this exceptional heritage.
You can see it and feel it within a few short miles; the artworks in mountains and forests, the scores of galleries and artists’ studios, the packed programme performances and festivals – not just music and comedy but wool, print and ceramics. It's the intimate venues and outdoor stages in stunning settings that make a cultural break here something unique.
For a taste of the art and culture waiting for you in England’s best-known landscape explore the sections below and at www.lakesculture.co.uk.
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home.…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
Wherever you are in Cumbria the history of the Vikings, the Angles and the Saxons is read in the names they left behind
Number of results: 116
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
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…
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
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
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.
Kendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
704 reviewsBrampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
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…
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.
Penrith
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal and culinary herb collection and orchards, woodland walks to a restored watermill.
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366 reviewsMILNTHORPE
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.
APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late 13th after a raid by the Scots, restored 16th by Lady Anne Clifford, followed by two rounds of 19th century internal remodelling.
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired by ecosystems found in nature. Immerse yourself in the Microworld and discover a space where creatures respond to each other and to you.
Cockermouth
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home. Whether you meet the maid-of-all-work or a knowledgeable 21st-century guide, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Cumbria
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is on private land belonging to Seascale How Farm, but can be seen from a nearby footpath.
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
101 reviewsKeswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
SEDBERGH
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from 1130, is a haven of peace.
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands on the site of a Saxon church and contains many ancient relics.
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