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Churches of Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall

Church buildings are primarily places of worship, but they are also historic places with enormous heritage value. They are often buildings of conscious design and are of high artistic quality and craftmanship.

St Michaels, Burgh by Sands is built with stones from Hadrian’s wall and has architectural features from other eras through time. St Cuthbert’s, Bewcastle is home to the 8^th century Anglo Saxon cross, with its elaborate carvings and runic inscriptions. The plain Georgian exterior of St Andrews, Kirkandrews-on-Esk hides a highly decorated and gilded baroque interior. See the full glory of ‘Gods own architect’ AWN Pugin’s design in the small parish church of Our Lady and St Wilfred, Warwick Bridge. In contrast to Pugin’s English Gothic style is the unique St Mary’s, Wreay designed by Sarah Losh, ornament and carvings refer to death and rebirth are based on the natural world. St Martin’s, Brampton reflects the design philosophy of Phillip Webb and the Arts and Crafts movement. Its breath-taking stained glass was designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.

Below, we have highlighted just a few of the churches in the Carlisle & Hadrian's Wall area for you to explore. As well as this area, you can also find out more about churches in the following areas of the county:

St. Cuthbert's Church, Bewcastle

‘Art in Cumberland started its course through history at its climax. It never reached higher than with the Bewcastle Cross.’ - Nikolaus Pevsner. The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years.
St. Martin's Church, Brampton

A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner and the only church designed by preRaphaelite architect Philip Webb.
St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands

12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I (Longshanks) lay in state in the church for ten days in 1307.
St. Andrew, Kirkandrews on Esk

The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of its past.
Our Lady & St. Wilfred Church, Warwick Bridge

This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed by ‘God’s Architect’ Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin.
St. Mary, Wreay

A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her sister and parents.