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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 101 to 120.
Alston
The multi award winning South Tynedale Railway is situated in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Global Geopark.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
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,…
Ambleside
One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world and possibly one of the most unique buildings.
Converted from a 15th century cottage in 1862, a small group of local Christians worshipped at 'Union Chapel'. The benefactor was Mrs Satterthwaite. In…
Sedbergh
Mount Zion Chapel was opened in 1876, the same year in which the Midland Railway Company opened the famous Settle to Carlisle railway, serving the local community of railway employees and farmers.
KESWICK
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
CARLISLE
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years. The church is somewhat simpler and certainly younger, with some parts of it dating from 1277, although mostly it is from the…
W Walls, Carlisle
Carlisle's taproom-led brewery. We brew, package and serve our beer in the same room — fresher than you'll find anywhere else. Pizza by the slice. Open Thursday to Sunday. Dog-friendly.
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…
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.
SEASCALE
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Carnforth
Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and parish church with a strong connection with local heritage and Bronte sisters.
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
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.
AMBLESIDE
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District church. It has literary connections with Wordsworth and was also the home the home of Archbishop Sandys in the 16th century.
Ravenglass
Located in the grounds of Muncaster Castle, it is believed that worship on this site dates to pre Christian times.
Built on land used by the monks of Furness Abbey to graze their sheep. It seems likely that there was an earlier church, in the…
Lakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed. Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
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