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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…
Situated prominently in the heart of the village, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. St…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
Family Day Out – Walk the lakeshore, hop on a boat cruise, or enjoy a picnic by the water while the…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…


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 81 to 100.
Penrith
A lovely church in a remote setting.
Known locally as Ninekirks, St Ninian's stands remote down a long track, above a bend in the River Eamont and with views of the Pennines and the Lake District. It is worth finding both for its lovely setting and…
Silloth
A museum/exhibition based on a collection of toy soldiers and related forts, guns etc. Battlefield models, Hadrian's Wall feature, historical information.
APPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late 13th after a raid by the Scots, restored 16th by Lady Anne Clifford, followed by two rounds of 19th century internal remodelling.
ULVERSTON
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an award for its design as a ‘mountain chapel’.
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.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Ambleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Cockermouth
Isel church is a beautiful Grade I listed building, which is located in an idyllic position in a carefully tended churchyard close to the River Derwent and the grounds of Isel Hall.
Eskdale
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It measures just three-acres and the fort at Hardknott enjoyed command of the Eskdale Valley and the Roman road to Ravenglass.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
Boot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
MILNTHORPE
St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see today reflects its long and fascinating history.
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
SEASCALE
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
CARLISLE
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of its past. The church serves the scattered population in the rural parish of Kirkandrews on Esk, once the centre of the historic and lawless Debateable…
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.
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
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Ulverston
Step through a 12th century doorway into an oasis of calm where worship, history, wood and stones have tales to tell of the Mariners, merchants and a faithful community are celebrated in memorials and stained glass.
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