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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.
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history,…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it…
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: 125
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
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.
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
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.
Greystoke
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history, including connections to Catherine Howard and Tarzan. Explore its grand halls, Tarzan Trails, and seasonal events, then relax at the Butler’s Pantry café.…
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
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.
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
Grasmere
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard.
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.
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…
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.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
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.
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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