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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.
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
Family-run distillery in Kendal offering guided tours and tastings. Discover how we craft gins,…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages.…
The beautiful Grade I church we see today, situated by the River Bela, is the result of additions…
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
Nenthead Mines is a historic place at Nenthead, near Alston. This remote valley is covered by…
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and…
Come and walk up the aisle of our beautiful and peaceful church and learn about the lives of the…
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…


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: 147
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Workington
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated site, set against the outlying fells of the Lake District National Park with Owsen and Blake Fells beyond.
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Cockermouth
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent and the River Cocker. This water source is integral to our brewing, as our water is drawn direct from the castle well. This pure, Lakeland water, is…
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.
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach.
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…
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the cradle of Quakerism as it was here in 1652 that the Quaker movement was formed during a period of enormous political and religious turmoil.
SEDBERGH
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western Railway was building its Ingleton branch and sent a Scripture Reader to the navvies.
Alston
Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St Augustine's houses the unique single handed Derwentwater Clock.
Penrith
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our gin is infused with the echoes of the past that permeate the very walls! We distill, fill and label our products on site.
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.
Bewcastle, Carlisle
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo Saxon 7thC, beside church. Dates from 1361, east wall 12thC.
Workington
In spite of the eclectic origins of its many parts, St Oswald's significance lies it its alterations and accumulation of features over time including Norman font and walls, 13th century windows, 15th century chancel and furniture by Thompson (the…
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.
Penrith
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated with concentric circle - late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (c2000 or earlier).
Carlisle
Situated prominently in the heart of the village, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. St Mary’s is the only church actually on the course of Hadrian's Wall.
Kendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
SEDBERGH
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed windows, Cautley Wesleyan chapel is a good example of its type and date.
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.
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