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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.
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
Described by Nicholas Pevsner as “one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland.” The present…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
The beautiful Grade I church we see today, situated by the River Bela, is the result of additions…
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake…
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay,…
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…


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: 144
, currently showing 21 to 40.
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…
WIGTON
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.
Cumbria
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is on private land belonging to Seascale How Farm, but can be seen from a nearby footpath.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
Kendal
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England.
Sedbergh
Cowgill church is a welcoming haven for walkers, cyclists and other visitors, sitting on the Dales Way in the the Yorkshire Dales National Park just a mile from the Settle Carlisle Railway and Dent Station.
Newby Bridge
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience.
Over 100 years of motoring history, the Campbell Bluebird exhibition, IOM TT tribute display and the Leven Valley heritage centre. Gift shop and Cafe Ambio.
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.
CARLISLE
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her sister and parents. Influenced by the architecture seen on her Grand Tour of Europe, she created an original design that was very much at odds with the…
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.
Grange-over-Sands
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression on the visitor, standing over the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.
Embleton
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40 metres in diameter. Only 15 stones of the original 30 remain.
Ulverston
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
Kendal
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging from the 1700's to the present. In our refreshed collection galleries discover the stories of our extraordinary collection pieces and the people…
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a graveyard rich with wildflowers, the interior contains unusual box pews, a triple decker pulpit and stained glass both ancient and modern.
Penrith
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and outstanding example of its type.
The top storey of the tower was added in the 17th century but the massive Saxon structure retains its original masonry,…
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
KESWICK
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and tranquillity, it can be traced back to the mid 16th century, although it was substantially refurbished in the 1840s.
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