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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.
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Located in the grounds of Muncaster Castle, it is believed that worship on this site dates to pre…
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
With a history dating back over a thousand years, Holy Trinity is one of the largest parish…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
Mount Zion Chapel was opened in 1876, the same year in which the Midland Railway Company opened the…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…


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: 146
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
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.
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,…
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.
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.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
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.
SEASCALE
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Nr Seascale
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a low central cairn. The third is immediately north of the second, it is 24' across and also encloses a small cairn.
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Barrow-in-Furness
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
Ravenglass
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake District coast where mountains meet the sea. With over 800 years of history, Muncaster is still cherished by the Pennington family, who warmly welcome…
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.
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.
Boundary Bank, Kendal
Family-run distillery in Kendal offering guided tours and tastings. Discover how we craft gins, spirits and the iconic Kendal Mint Cake Liqueur at the gateway to the Lake District.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
SEDBERGH
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from 1130, is a haven of peace.
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