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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.
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…
Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it…
One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world and possibly one of the most unique buildings…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
The Roman Fort of Galava in Ambleside, one of a series of fortified structures to protect the vital…
Carlisle's taproom-led brewery. We brew, package and serve our beer in the same room — fresher than…
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
Circle has a diameter of 60' and stands on a flattened mound or platform. There are 20 uprights,…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay,…
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…


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.
WORKINGTON
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873 - 1876 to replace a chapel in the grounds which now forms part of St Joseph's High School.
Penrith
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have fallen over so none are higher than one yard but they are 100 yards in circumference.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
CARLISLE
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her sister and parents. Influenced by the architecture seen on her Grand Tour of Europe, she created an original design that was very much at odds with the…
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
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.
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.
Windermere
Family Day Out – Walk the lakeshore, hop on a boat cruise, or enjoy a picnic by the water while the kids keep watch for the creature. It’s a magical way to make a family walk or boat trip even more exciting. A Lake District Character – Bownessie…
Keswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
PENRITH
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time in the county’, rebuilt in 1720 on an ancient site
Penrith
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was a series of cremations, one in a collared urn.
Wigton
Described by Nicholas Pevsner as “one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland.” The present church is from about 1400 but there is ample evidence of an earlier Norman Church.
Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
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.
SEASCALE
St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
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.
Cumbria
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is on private land belonging to Seascale How Farm, but can be seen from a nearby footpath.
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.
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.
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