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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

St Michael and All Angels, Isel
St Michael and All Angels, Isel

Isel church is a beautiful Grade I listed building, which is located in an idyllic position in a…

Studfold Gate Stone Circle
Studfold Gate Stone Circle

Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…

Beers from Keswick Brewery in Keswick, Lake District
Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop

Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…

St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh

Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…

View of the Front of Lowther Castle & Gardens in Lowther, Lake District
Lowther Castle & Gardens

A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…

St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
St. Mary's Church, Gosforth

St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.

Long Meg and her daughters, by Simon Ledingham
Long Meg and her Daughters

Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…

Hardknott Roman Fort
Hardknott Roman Fort

Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…

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…

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…

St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands
St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands

12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…

St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick
St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick

Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this…

Exterior of Wordsworth Grasmere in the Lake District, Cumbria
Wordsworth Grasmere

Enjoy your perfect Lake District day out at Wordsworth Grasmere. Discover the home of William…

St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head

The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.

Swinside Stone Circle
Swinside Stone Circle

Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…

Hawkshead Chapel
Hawkshead Chapel

One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world and possibly one of the most unique buildings…

St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
St. Andrew's Church, Dacre

A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…

Kendal Castle
Kendal Castle

Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…

Grey Croft Stone Circle
Grey Croft Stone Circle

The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…

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…

Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle

Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…

Newlands Church
Newlands Church

Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…

St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale
St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale

Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with…

Holy Trinity, Casterton
Holy Trinity, Casterton

Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and…

PrevPrev
  • 1St Michael and All Angels, Isel
  • 2Studfold Gate Stone Circle
  • 3Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop
  • 4St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
  • 5Lowther Castle & Gardens
  • 6St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
  • 7Long Meg and her Daughters
  • 8Hardknott Roman Fort
  • 9Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway - Lakeside Pier
  • 10Hadrian's Wall
  • 11St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands
  • 12St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick
  • 13Wordsworth Grasmere
  • 14St. Olaf's Church, Wasdale Head
  • 15Swinside Stone Circle
  • 16Hawkshead Chapel
  • 17St. Andrew's Church, Dacre
  • 18Kendal Castle
  • 19Grey Croft Stone Circle
  • 20The Bridge House, Ambleside
  • 21Castlerigg Stone Circle
  • 22Newlands Church
  • 23St. Mary's Church, Kirkby Lonsdale
  • 24Holy Trinity, Casterton
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 The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Address

    The Vault, The Old Bank Buildings, 29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, LA6 2AH

    Telephone

    015242 97177

    29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to enter, exhibit located in the town’s former bank vault.

    Add The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale to your Itinerary

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  2. Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop

    Address

    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop, Main St, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NS

    tabithatwitchitsbookshop@nationaltrust.org.uk

    Hawkshead

    Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every shelf holds a story. Come in and wander round, browse and lose yourself in the quiet magic of well-loved pages and forgotten treasures. Whether…

    Add Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop to your Itinerary

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  3. 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.

    Add Carlisle Brewing Co. to your Itinerary

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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