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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.
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
With a history dating back over a thousand years, Holy Trinity is one of the largest parish…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Isel church is a beautiful Grade I listed building, which is located in an idyllic position in a…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced…
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
A lovely church in a remote setting. Known locally as Ninekirks, St Ninian's stands remote down a…
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…
Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer…
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in…
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…


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.
Penrith
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor Divock is 300 metres above sea level, forming part of Askham Fell, to the East of Ullswater.
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.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
Penrith
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975 after it had fallen - some 3500 years after first being set on end.
Lakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed. Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
WIGTON
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution of the Monasteries for this church, when the local people successfully petitioned Thomas Cromwell to allow them to continue to use the church.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
Kendal
With a history dating back over a thousand years, Holy Trinity is one of the largest parish churches in the country and one of England's Greater Churches.
Visitors are struck both by the lightness of the interior and by its five aisles. Although…
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
Isel church is a beautiful Grade I listed building, which is located in an idyllic position in a carefully tended churchyard close to the River Derwent and the grounds of Isel Hall.
CARLISLE
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I (Longshanks) lay in state in the church for ten days in 1307.
Burgh by Sands is a very interesting church with layers of history.From the 12th century and on…
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced Coniston slate. Over the past 25 years, local builder Edward Robinson carefully created each one by hand, faithfully recreating some of Cumbria’s most…
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.
Embleton
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40 metres in diameter. Only 15 stones of the original 30 remain.
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.
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.
Eskdale
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished by the occurance within them of small cairns. Construction date is thought to be around 2000BC.
SEDBERGH
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this Grade II building was originally built as a meeting house by the Society of Friends in 1701.
Penrith
A lovely church in a remote setting.
Known locally as Ninekirks, St Ninian's stands remote down a long track, above a bend in the River Eamont and with views of the Pennines and the Lake District. It is worth finding both for its lovely setting and…
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.
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