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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.
A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering…
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages.…
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated…
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…
Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…


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: 144
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Millom
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one of them having contained a cremation.
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…
Newby Bridge
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience.
Over 100 years of motoring history, the Campbell Bluebird exhibition, IOM TT tribute display and the Leven Valley heritage centre. Gift shop and Cafe Ambio.
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.
Penrith
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
Workington
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated site, set against the outlying fells of the Lake District National Park with Owsen and Blake Fells beyond.
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.
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.
Penrith
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the Nevilles and Richard lll. Set in a municipal park opposite the railway station.
Kendal
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The Museum has a long history in Kendal Town and has occupied various sites but has been at its current location (previously a wool warehouse) since 1913.
Cockermouth
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent and the River Cocker. This water source is integral to our brewing, as our water is drawn direct from the castle well. This pure, Lakeland water, is…
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
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,…
Kendal
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England.
Penrith
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our gin is infused with the echoes of the past that permeate the very walls! We distill, fill and label our products on site.
Bewcastle, Carlisle
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo Saxon 7thC, beside church. Dates from 1361, east wall 12thC.
WHITEHAVEN
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Ulverston
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
MILNTHORPE
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.
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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