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  1. Carlisle Cathedral
    Churches around Cumbria

You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage > Cumbrian Churches

Cumbrian Churches

Church buildings are a perennial feature of the Cumbrian landscape. Usually they’re the oldest building in the parish, for it was around them that most of the earliest villages and towns were built. As a result, they are some of the most architecturally, culturally and historically significant buildings in an area.
 
These 'living' buildings, many of which still function as a place worship, are cultural and heritage landmarks. Many are fine examples of local and national craftmanship, and nearly all of them tell the story of Cumbria’s communities.

Cumbria has a history of invasion and settlement; the Romans, Celts, Anglo Saxons, Vikings, Normans and Border Rievers, all have lived and worshipped here and left their story in our church buildings; a fusion reflected in stone. 

Characteristically small and simple, yet not without beauty and grace, they reflect the religious, social and economics of a rural landscape formed of lakes, mountains, coastline and border frontiers.

The Anglo-Scottish war (c1296 - c1513) curtailed the Decorated and Perpendicular styles, yet retained Norman influences as well as creating Cumbria's distinctive fortified churches.  18th century prosperity produced classical formality, Victorian growth and romanticism, contributed to the county known as the land of lakes and fells, Wordsworth, and Beatrix Potter.

The history of Cumbria and its people can be read in the stone of our churches, revealing the diversity of the county and the landscape in which they belong.

The Churches Trust for Cumbria exists to provide support to church buildings across Cumbria and aims to encourage the sustainable use of these unique heritage buildings and keep their communities alive. Delve further into the history of Cumbrian Churches by scrolling down to our list of churches around Cumbria lower down the page. For more information on a specific area of the county, use the links below. You can also find out more about individual churches within Cumbria on the 'A Church Near You' website.

Explore Cumbrian churches by area

  • Churches of Carlisle and Hadrian's Wall
  • Churches of Eden Valley & North Pennines
  • Churches of The Lake District
  • Churches of Morecambe Bay
  • Churches of The Western Lakes & Coast
  • Churches of The Eastern Lakes and Yorkshire Dales

Some of the most architecturally, culturally and historically significant buildings in Cumbria

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Number of results: 38

, currently showing 1 to 20.

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  1. St. Mary Church, Wreay
    St. Mary Church, Wreay
    St Mary Church, Wreay

    Address

    Wreay, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA4 0RL

    Telephone

    01228 710215

    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…

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  2. Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Arches and Exterior at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Exterior and Grounds of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Arches and Exterior at Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Exterior and Grounds of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
    Furness Abbey

    Address

    Furness Abbey, Manor Rd, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, LA13 0PJ

    Telephone

    01229 823420

    customers@english-heritage.org.uk

    Barrow-in-Furness

    Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

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  3. St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
    Our Lady & St Wilfrid Church, Warwick Bridge

    Address

    Waters Meet, Warwick Bridge, CARLISLE, Cumbria, CA4 8RX

    Telephone

    07936 135834

    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,…

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  4. St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere
    St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere
    St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere

    Address

    St Oswald’s church, Church Stile, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SW

    Grasmere

    This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard.

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  5. St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
    St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
    St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head

    Address

    Wasdale Head, SEASCALE, Cumbria, CA20 1EX

    SEASCALE

    The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.

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  6. St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
    St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
    St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh

    Address

    Finkle Street, SEDBERGH, Cumbria, LA10 5BZ

    Telephone

    01539 620018

    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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  7. Newlands Church
    Newlands Church
    Newlands Church

    Address

    Newlands, KESWICK, Cumbria, CA12 5TU

    KESWICK

    Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and tranquillity, it can be traced back to the mid 16th century, although it was substantially refurbished in the 1840s.

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  8. St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
    St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
    St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere

    Address

    St Martin's Church, Lake Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3DE

    Telephone

    01768 898396

    Bowness-on-Windermere

    Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts medieval architecture, awe-inspiring stained glass windows, and a long and varied history spanning over 800 years. The earliest records of a church at…

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  9. Cartmel Priory
    Cartmel Priory
    Cartmel Priory

    Address

    Devonshire Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 6QD

    Telephone

    01539 536261

    cartmelpriory@gmail.com

    Grange-over-Sands

    Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression on the visitor, standing over the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.

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  10. St. Martin of Tours, Martindale
    St. Martin of Tours, Martindale
    St. Martin of Tours Church, Martindale

    Address

    Martindale, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA10 2NF

    Telephone

    01768 898396

    PENRITH

    The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel dating from 1220. The church is fully open and much visited, with all entries in the visitor’s book remarking on the special atmosphere and sense of peace…

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  11. St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
    St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
    St. Andrew's Church, Dacre

    Address

    Dacre, PENRITH, Cumbria, CA11 0HL

    admin@dacrechurch.com

    PENRITH

    A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home of the Dacre Bears, four unique medieval stone statues.

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  12. St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite
    St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite
    St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite

    Address

    Finsthwaite, ULVERSTON, Cumbria, LA12 8BJ

    Telephone

    01539 531735

    ULVERSTON

    St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an award for its design as a ‘mountain chapel’.

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  13. St. Anthony, Cartmel Fell
    St. Anthony, Cartmel Fell
    St Anthony's Church, Cartmel Fell

    Address

    Cartmel Fell, GRANGE-OVER-SANDS, Cumbria, LA11 6NH

    Telephone

    01539 531311

    GRANGE-OVER-SANDS

    Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a graveyard rich with wildflowers, the interior contains unusual box pews, a triple decker pulpit and stained glass both ancient and modern.

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  14. Exterior and Gardens of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Exterior and Gardens of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Interior and Nave of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Exterior and Gardens of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Interior and Nave of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Carlisle Cathedral

    Address

    Carlisle Cathedral, The Abbey, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 8TZ

    Telephone

    01228 548151

    marketing@carlislecathedral.org.uk

    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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  15. St. Peter's Church, Heversham
    St. Peter's Church, Heversham
    St. Peter's Church, Heversham

    Address

    Woodhouse Lane, Heversham, MILNTHORPE, Cumbria, LA7 7EW

    MILNTHORPE

    St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see today reflects its long and fascinating history.

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  16. St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland
    St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland
    St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland

    Address

    Boroughgate, APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND, Cumbria, CA16 6XF

    Telephone

    01768 361269

    APPLEBY-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.

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  17. St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton
    St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton
    St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton

    Address

    Field Broughton, GRANGE-OVER-SANDS, Cumbria, LA11 6HR

    GRANGE-OVER-SANDS

    St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.

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  18. Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts
    Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts
    Quaker Meeting House, Brigflatts

    Address

    Brigflatts Lane, SEDBERGH, Cumbria, LA10 5HN

    Telephone

    01539 620005

    warden@brigflatts.org

    SEDBERGH

    Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world.

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  19. St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
    St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
    St. Mary's Church, Gosforth

    Address

    Wasdale Road, Gosforth, SEASCALE, Cumbria, CA20 1AU

    SEASCALE

    St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.

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  20. St. Stephen's Church, Kirkby Stephen
    St. Stephen's Church, Kirkby Stephen
    St. Stephen's Church, Kirkby Stephen

    Address

    Vicarage Lane, KIRKBY STEPHEN, Cumbria, CA17 4QX

    Telephone

    01768 371279

    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.

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