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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.
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
The beer hall is the Brewery Tap, sampling room, visitors centre and beer shop. it is a fully…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
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.
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.
Ulverston
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a relaxed spirits tasting in our stylish visitor bar.
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.
Penrith
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.
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225 reviewsGrasmere
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.
Grange-over-Sands
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with the warmth and welcome of a much loved family home. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
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318 reviewsRayrigg 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.
Grasmere
We are an independent brewery & distillery, proudly part of the Grasmere community. We make drinks we like to drink ourselves: refreshing beers & delicious gin. Try everything we make in The Good Sport, our Grasmere tap-room.
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518 reviewsAPPLEBY-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.
Millom
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a long farm track from a minor road branching off the A595. Well worth the walk!
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.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
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.
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967 reviewsKendal
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.
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.
WHITEHAVEN
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Carlisle
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its characters, in a new exhibition.
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
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