You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage
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 mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
A much loved historic family home, set against the grandeur and picturesque splendour of the…
Wordsworth's best loved family home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. He…
Welcome to Cumbria's, and possibly the UK's, smallest gin distillery! Based in the lovely market…
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century…
Historic haunted Castle home to the Pennington family for 800 years. A 70-acre garden famous for…
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award winning Lowther…
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…
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: 79
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Ambleside
A mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a place for all the family to enjoy. Join a guided tour to learn more about the castle's colourful history.
CARLISLE
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years. The church is somewhat simpler and certainly younger, with some parts of it dating from 1277, although mostly it is from the…
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!
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.
Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Workington
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone. Eleven others survive, some only a few inches high.
Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Ulverston
Welcome to Cumbria's, and possibly the UK's, smallest gin distillery!
Based in the lovely market town of Ulverston, we're producing small batch, big flavour gins. Smooth enough to be sipped, bold enough to be mixed.
Brampton
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall. Explore the remains of the Roman fort and discover displays, artefacts and rest in the Tearoom.
Penrith
A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
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.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
Cumbria
Historic haunted Castle home to the Pennington family for 800 years. A 70-acre garden famous for its rhododendrons set against the stunning backdrop of the Lakeland fells. Hawk & Owl Centre home to a diverse collection of birds.
Penrith
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award winning Lowther Castle is a place to be inspired; by the setting, the story of the colourful characters who lived here, the transformation of the Gardens and one of…
Millom
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one of them having contained a cremation.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country 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.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL