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  1. Carlisle Cathedral
    History & Heritage
  2. Wray Castle, Ambleside
    History & Heritage
  3. Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness
    History & Heritage
  4. Muncaster Castle and gardens, Western Lakes
    History & Heritage

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

History and Heritage

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.

Highlights

Burnmoor stone circles. Photo courtesy of the Lake District National Park.
Eskdale Moor/Burnmoor Stone Circles

Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished…

Interior Exhibition at Eskdale Mill in Boot, Lake District
Eskdale Mill

Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…

Characters and scenes from the Peter Rabbit exhibit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…

St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk

The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…

St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory
St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory

Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a…

The Bridge House, Ambleside
The Bridge House, Ambleside

Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…

St John the Evangelist, Levens
St John the Evangelist, Levens

A local landmark, the church is set on the end of a limestone ridge at the gateway to the Lake…

Bluebird at The Ruskin Museum
The Ruskin Museum

Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…

Cautley Chaple, Sedbergh
Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh

Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…

Exhibits at Penrith and Eden Museum in Penrith, Cumbria
Penrith and Eden Museum

Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…

Historic Steam Trains at Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway in the Lake District, Cumbria
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Lakeside Pier

Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…

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

Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…

Grounds and historic buildings at Nenthead Mines in Nenthead, Cumbria
Nenthead Mines

Nenthead Mines is a historic place at Nenthead, near Alston. This remote valley is covered by…

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…

Penrith Castle
Penrith Castle

The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…

Exterior and grounds at Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District © Robin Zahler
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts House

Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…

Leacet Stone Circle
Leacet Stone Circle

Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century…

Aerial View of Muncaster Castle & Gardens in Ravenglass, Cumbria
Muncaster Castle

Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake…

Jesus Church, Troutbeck
Jesus Church, Troutbeck

Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…

Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
The Beacon Museum

Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…

St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston
St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston

Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St…

Black Cat Gin at Black Cat Distillery at Brougham Castle near Penrith, Cumbria
Black Cat Distillery

Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…

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

This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…

Exterior at Kendal Museum in Kendal, Cumbria
Kendal Museum

Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter.  The…

PrevPrev
  • 1Eskdale Moor/Burnmoor Stone Circles
  • 2Eskdale Mill
  • 3The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
  • 4St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
  • 5St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory
  • 6The Bridge House, Ambleside
  • 7St John the Evangelist, Levens
  • 8The Ruskin Museum
  • 9Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh
  • 10Penrith and Eden Museum
  • 11Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Lakeside Pier
  • 12St. Stephen's Church, Kirkby Stephen
  • 13Nenthead Mines
  • 14Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
  • 15Penrith Castle
  • 16Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts House
  • 17Leacet Stone Circle
  • 18Muncaster Castle
  • 19Jesus Church, Troutbeck
  • 20The Beacon Museum
  • 21St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston
  • 22Black Cat Distillery
  • 23Our Lady & St Wilfrid Church, Warwick Bridge
  • 24Kendal Museum
NextNext

 Wherever you are in Cumbria  the history of the Vikings, the Angles and the Saxons is read in the names they left behind

  • Arts & Culture, History & Heritage in The Lake District, Cumbria
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  1. Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Ennerdale Brewery

    Address

    Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro, Chapel Row, Rowrah, Cumbria, CA26 3XS

    Telephone

    01946 862977

    info@ennerdalebrewery.co.uk

    Rowrah

    Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and consistency championing the highest quality of malts, whole cone hops and Lake District water, our in house yeast strain derived from traditional…

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  2. Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Carlisle Brewing Co.

    Address

    The Carlisle Brewing Company, 2, 12A Kingstown Broadway, Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0HA

    Telephone

    01228 594959

    Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle

    Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer because we simply love it - real ale is awesome! We've spent more years than we care to remember drinking real ale of all styles and flavours.

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  3. Interior of West Walls Brewing Co in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Interior of West Walls Brewing Co in Carlisle, Cumbria
    West Walls Brewing Co

    Address

    Unit 2, West Walls Building, W Walls, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 8UB

    Telephone

    07950038622

    info@westwallsbrewing.co.uk

    W Walls, Carlisle

    Discover a hidden gem in the historic heart of Carlisle—West Walls Brewing Co., Cumbria’s first city-centre microbrewery nestled within the iconic Twisted Wheel nightclub. Our venue blends rich history with modern flair, offering tourists an…

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  4. Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Crooked River Brewing Co

    Address

    Crooked River Tap, 7 Packhorse Ct, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JB

    Telephone

    017687 21705

    info@crooked-river.co.uk

    Keswick

    Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in Keswick

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