Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • Sustainable Stays
      • Dog Friendly Accommodation
      • Family Accommodation
      • Accommodation with a Swimming Pool
      • Accommodation with Gyms
      • Accommodation with Hot Tubs
      • Group Accommodation
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Something a Bit Different
      • Spa Breaks
    • Accessible Accommodation
    • B&Bs & Guesthouses
    • Hotels
    • Lake District Cottages
    • Self Catering Accommodation
    • Camping, Glamping, Caravans and Lodges
    • Holiday Parks
    • Hostels
    • Pubs with Rooms
      • The Inn Collection Group in the Lake District
    • Restaurants with Rooms
    • Holiday Homes for Sale
    • Cottage Agencies
  • What's On
    • Tour de France 2027
    • Challenge Events
      • 13 Valleys
      • Great North Swim
      • Windermere Marathon
      • Cross-Bay Walks
      • Traditional Sports
      • Gurning Festival (Egremont Crab Fair)
    • Cultural Events
      • Winter Droving
    • Festivals
      • Dave Day
      • Cockermouth Live!
      • Lake District Music Summer Festival
      • Oktoberfest Cumbria
      • Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
      • Marmalade Festival at Dalemain
    • Food Events
    • Galleries & Exhibitions
    • Markets
    • Add your event
  • Things to Do
    • Bookable Experiences
    • 50 Great Cumbrian Experiences
    • Lake District Attractions
    • Adventure Activities
      • Adventure on the Water
      • Adventure Training
      • Extreme & Off Road
      • Rocks & Ropes
    • Arts and Culture
      • Let's Go Culture
      • Famous Artists, Poets & Writers
      • Festivals
      • Galleries & Exhibitions
      • Independent Cinema
      • Museums
      • Theatre & Live Performance
    • Experiences
      • Aerial Experiences
      • Animal Experiences
      • Bushcraft Experiences
      • Craft Demonstrations & Workshops
      • Food & Drink Experiences
      • Gift Experiences
    • Guided Tours
      • Coach & Minibus Tours
      • Guided Cycling
      • Guided Walks
      • Nature & Wildlife Tours
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Forest Bathing
      • Gym & Swim
      • Massage
      • Wild Swimming
      • Yoga
    • History and Heritage
      • Cumbrian Castles
      • Cumbrian Churches
      • Historic Houses, Parks & Gardens
      • King Arthur in Cumbria
    • Outdoor Activities
      • In the Air
      • On the Land
      • On the Water
      • Cycling
      • Walking
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding & Pony Trekking
      • Lake Cruises & Boat Trips
      • Sporting Activities
      • Hen & Stag Activities
      • Team Building activities
      • Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Shopping
      • Cumbrian High Street Shopping
      • Local Produce
      • Markets in the Lake District, Cumbria
      • Shop Online
    • Accessible Activities
    • Family Days Out
    • Wildlife & Nature
    • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Food and Drink
    • Dog Friendly Places to Eat
    • Family-friendly places to eat
    • Afternoon Tea
    • Breweries & Distilleries
    • Cafés
    • Fine dining
    • Foraging & Bushcraft
    • Local Produce
    • Pub Food & Gastro Pubs
    • Restaurants
    • Vegetarian & Vegan
    • Food & Drink in Cumberland
  • Explore Cumbria
    • Areas of Cumbria
      • The Lake District
      • Carlisle & Hadrian’s Wall
      • Eden Valley & North Pennines
      • Morecambe Bay
      • Western Lake District & Coast
      • Where The Lakes Meets The Dales
    • Towns & Villages
    • Lakes of the Lake District
    • Cumbria Coastal Route
    • World Heritage Cumbria
    • Mountains & Fells
    • Harbours & Marinas
  • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Christmas & New Year
    • Itineraries - Great days out
    • Starring Great Britain: The Lake District, Cumbria
      • Film & TV Timeline
      • Gallery of Locations
    • Lake District, Cumbria Bucket List
    • Selfie Guide
    • Dark Skies Cumbria
    • Cumbria Tourism Awards 2025
    • The National Trust in the Lake District
    • Sunny day ideas
    • Rainy day ideas
    • Romantic Breaks
    • Family Holidays
    • Dog Friendly Holidays
    • Bespoke Holidays
    • Caring for the environment
      • Lake District Foundation
      • Safety/Adventure Smart
  • Plan Your Visit
    • Travel
      • Let's Go Car Free
      • Getting To Cumbria
      • Getting Around Cumbria
      • Car Parking and Car Charging
      • Sustainable Stays
      • Group Travel
    • Touring the Lake District, Cumbria
    • Access for all - Adventure for Everyone
      • Accessibility on film
      • Adventure for all - Ideas and Inspiration
    • Tourist Information Centres
    • Smart Travel Planner
  • Weddings
    • Wedding Venues
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Venues with Accommodation
    • Wedding Suppliers
    • Wedding Fairs & Events
    • Stag & Hen Parties
    • Honeymoon & Minimoon
    • Transport
    • Spa Treatments
  • Conferences & Event Spaces
    • Conference Venues with Rooms
    • Attraction Venues & Meeting Spaces
    • Functions, Banquets and Corporate Event Venues
    • Team Building
    • Event Organisers, Catering & Suppliers
  • Prizes & Guides
    • 2026 Dogs Love Cumbria Guide Photo Competition
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Free Holiday Guide Downloads
    • Download Free Desktop Wallpaper
    • Download Free Wainwright Podcasts
    • Prize Draws
      • Win a First Class Afternoon Tea for Two
      • Win a Beatrix Potter-themed Lake District visit
      • Win a Short Break at Windermere Marina Village
  • Let's Go Lake District Blog
  • Special Offers

Don't Miss

  • Summer | Description

    Summer

  • Sign up to receive our newsletter containing news and special offers from the Lake District, Cumbria.

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Site Logo
  • Print Logo
Site Search Icon

My Planner

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

Already saved an Itinerary?

List All My Saved Itineraries

Language
  • DE
  • EN
Menu

You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage > Cumbrian Churches > Churches of The Western Lakes & Coast

Churches of The Western Lakes & Coast

The coastline of the western lake district, with its maritime history, has brought a variety of people and faiths to Cumbria’s shores.  Many of whom settled, integrated and made the region their home. 

St Mary’s, Gosforth, is rich in history and artefacts of the Scandinavian Vikings.  The Norse ‘Gosforth Cross' dating from around 940AD, depicts a fusion of Viking and Christian stories which reveal the transition from pagan to Christian beliefs.  One of the smallest churches near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England; St Olaf’s, at Wasdale Head, honours the early Viking settlers to these dales as well as those lost on the surrounding peaks.  St Bees Priory, is partly dedicated to St Bega.  Bega was an Irish princess who sailed single handed across the Irish sea to escape a forced marriage to a Viking chief.  Stained glass in the Priory depicts her landing.  The Cistercian monastery of Holme Cultran Abbey was founded in 1150 by David I of Scotland, the order itself was established near Dijon, France.  Buddhist symbols, in honour of a Sri Lankan vicar, are engraved into the glass doors of St James, Whitehaven.  Step inside and you will find an impressive 18th Century interior.   Once home to Benedictine Monks, spiritual descendants of early medieval Italy and Gaul, the now Roman Catholic church of Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael, Workington is also home to several mice; the carved symbol of the furniture maker Robert ‘Mouseman' Thompson of Kilburn.

Below, we have highlighted just a few of the churches in the Western Lakes & Coast 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:

  • 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 Eastern Lakes and Yorkshire Dales
  1. Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
    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.
    1. St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
      St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
      St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
    2. St. Bees Priory
      St. Bees Priory
      The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and historic church in the seaside village of St Bees, built in 1120, is all that remains of the original Priory, but it is a thriving and much loved parish church.
      1. St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
        St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale
        The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
        1. St. James' Church, Whitehaven
          A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
          1. Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington
            Our Lady Star of The Sea & St. Michael, 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.

            Highlights

            Meat on the grill at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen in Tebay, Cumbria
            Tebay Services Kitchen & Foodhall

            We make our food from scratch as you would make it at home. We use real ingredients, sourced…

            Tour of Loughrigg Fell
            Tour of Loughrigg Fell

            The fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…

            Visitors Family Gorge Walking with Path to Adventure in the Lake District, Cumbria
            Family Gorge Walking in the Lake District with Path to Adventure

            We offer Gorge Walking (also known as Ghyll Scrambling) for young explorers. An adventure aimed…

            Wild Sauna
            Wild Forest Sauna

            Wild Sauna & Forest Plunge | Whinlatter Forest Step into the wild beauty of the Lake District and…

            Peel Wood
            Peel Wood

            This National Trust wood is a wonderful place to be - right by the lake shore.

            Mountain Walking with Adventure Vertical in Cumbria
            Mountain Walking with Adventure Vertical

            Have you ever wanted to climb the highest mountain in the UK or maybe take on a mountain horseshoe…

            Groups at Archery and Axe Throwing with Graythwaite Adventure near Hawkshead, Lake District
            Archery and Axe Throwing with Graythwaite Adventure

            Adjacent to our clay pigeon shooting site, nestled in the heart of Graythwaite Estate, is where our…

            Trovatore
            Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration – The Met Opera

            Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas is a celebration of the Met's two decades of onstage glory as…

            Illustration by Guy Parsons.
            Winter Craft Fair at Blackwell

            This November, the much-loved Winter Craft Fair returns to Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house and…

            The Mountain Road
            The Mountain Road

            This ride is one for toughies on mountain bikes.

            Land Rovers Driving Off-Road with Kankku in the Lake District, Cumbria
            4x4 Kankku Off-Road Team Building Expedition

            Turn your routine conference break into an off road driving event with Kankku. Get everyone in your…

            Exterior and Gardens at Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House near Penrith, Cumbria
            Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House

            Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…

            Herdwick Sheep at Loweswater Show
            Loweswater Show

            Loweswater Agricultural Show is a traditional Lake District country show set in the stunning…

            Old Coach Road
            Old Coach Road

            The flanks of Clough Head and Matterdale Common at the northern end of the Helvellyn range are…

            Visitors on a Team Building Experience at Cliffhanger Rooms in Backbarrow, Lake District
            Team Building at Cliffhanger Escape Rooms

            Our Escape Rooms will provide a fun activity which will bring teams together, improving…

            Visitor on a Walking Holiday with Coast to Coast Packhorse in the Lake District, Cumbria
            Coast to Coast Running Holiday with Coast to Coast Packhorse

            Expertly Crafted Running Holidays – As specialists in the Alfred Wainwright Coast to Coast, we use…

            Car Park
            Old Dungeon Ghyll Car Park

            Pay & Display car park with 50 spaces. Ideal for accessing the high fells, Mickleden, the Pikes…

            Function Room Set Up for a Conference at Crooklands Hotel in Milnthorpe, Cumbria
            Conferences at Crooklands Hotel

            The Crooklands has been host to many a meeting and conference! Our three function rooms for part of…

            The Courtyard Cafe at Holker Hall and Gardens near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria
            The Courtyard Cafe at Holker Hall

            The Courtyard Cafe offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and specialises in local and seasonal…

            Exterior and entrance to The Coro in Ulverston, Cumbria ©ALLINGTON
            The Coro

            The Coro is an historic arts, culture and entertainment venue presenting Theatre, Music, Comedy,…

            Elterwater
            Elterwater

            Elterwater lies in an attractive setting, a few miles west of Ambleside, hidden behind Loughrigg…

            Exterior of Barn Croft in Applethwaite, Lake District
            Barn Croft

            Rural location, small hamlet but only 1.5 miles from Keswick and Skiddaw and with outstanding views…

            Exterior and Gardens at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House in Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Lake District
            Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat

            Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…

            Butcher working at Tebay Services Farmshop and Kitchen in Tebay, Cumbria
            Tebay Services Farmshop

            We work with more than 70 producers within a 30-mile radius of Tebay Services. As a farming…

            PrevPrev
            • 1Tebay Services Kitchen & Foodhall
            • 2Tour of Loughrigg Fell
            • 3Family Gorge Walking in the Lake District with Path to Adventure
            • 4Wild Forest Sauna
            • 5Peel Wood
            • 6Mountain Walking with Adventure Vertical
            • 7Archery and Axe Throwing with Graythwaite Adventure
            • 8Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas: An Anniversary Celebration – The Met Opera
            • 9Winter Craft Fair at Blackwell
            • 10The Mountain Road
            • 114x4 Kankku Off-Road Team Building Expedition
            • 12Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House
            • 13Loweswater Show
            • 14Old Coach Road
            • 15Team Building at Cliffhanger Escape Rooms
            • 16Coast to Coast Running Holiday with Coast to Coast Packhorse
            • 17Old Dungeon Ghyll Car Park
            • 18Conferences at Crooklands Hotel
            • 19The Courtyard Cafe at Holker Hall
            • 20The Coro
            • 21Elterwater
            • 22Barn Croft
            • 23Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat
            • 24Tebay Services Farmshop
            NextNext

            You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

            Search
            • Accommodation
            • Things to Do
            • What's On
            • Food & Drink
            Accommodation
            Check Availability
            Arrival Date
            Add Room
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By
            Site Features
            Booking & Payment Details
            Leisure Facilities
            Property Facilities
            Room/Unit Facilities
            Parking
            Other
            Things to Do
            Type
            Refine By
            Beyonk Online Booking
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By
            What's On
            Dates
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Food & Drink
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By
            Accommodation
            Check Availability
            Arrival Date
            Add Room
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By
            Site Features
            Booking & Payment Details
            Leisure Facilities
            Property Facilities
            Room/Unit Facilities
            Parking
            Other
            Things to Do
            Type
            Refine By
            Beyonk Online Booking
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By
            What's On
            Dates
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Food & Drink
            Type
            Area
            Location
            Within miles
            Keyword
            Refine By

            You may also like

            • Bookable Experiences

            • Download Guide

            • Gift Vouchers

            • Itineraries

            • E-newsletter Sign Up

            • Blog

            Stay in Touch

            Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media

            Sign up for E-newsletter

            Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria

            Sign Up
            • Let's Go Lake District Blog
            • About Visit Lake District
            • Media Enquiries
            • Travel Trade
            • Contact Us
            • Jobs in the Lake District, Cumbria
            • Site Map
            • Terms of use
            • Privacy Policy
            • Romantic Breaks
            • Selfie Guide
            • Accommodation
            • What's On
            • Things to Do
            • Food and Drink
            • Lake District Weddings
            Contact Us

            Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL

            Made by Simpleview Logo

            Ratings Powered By

            tripadvisor

            Cumbria Tourism

            © Cumbria Tourism