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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 Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick

St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…

Broomrigg Circle
Broomrigg Circle

Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…

Newlands Church
Newlands Church

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

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 Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead

Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…

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…

All Saints, Boltongate
All Saints, Boltongate

Described by Nicholas Pevsner as “one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland.” The present…

St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere

Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…

St Michael and All Angels, Beetham
St Michael and All Angels, Beetham

The beautiful Grade I church we see today, situated by the River Bela, is the result of additions…

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Train with a scenic mountain backdrop and lake reflection © Mark Fielding
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake…

The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library in Ambleside, Lake District
The Armitt Museum

Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…

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…

Brougham Hall
Brougham Hall

Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…

St Cuthbert, Aldingham
St Cuthbert, Aldingham

Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay,…

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…

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…

Dentdale
Dentdale Chapel, Dent

Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…

Swinside Stone Circle
Swinside Stone Circle

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

Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle

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

Exhibits at The Pencil Museum in Keswick, Lake District
The Pencil Museum

Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…

Exterior and Grounds at Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens in Penrith, Cumbria
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens

Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…

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…

Jesus Church, Troutbeck
Jesus Church, Troutbeck

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

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…

PrevPrev
  • 1St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
  • 2Broomrigg Circle
  • 3Newlands Church
  • 4St. Michael's Church, Burgh by Sands
  • 5St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
  • 6The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
  • 7All Saints, Boltongate
  • 8St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • 9St Michael and All Angels, Beetham
  • 10Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
  • 11The Armitt Museum
  • 12Eskdale Mill
  • 13Brougham Hall
  • 14St Cuthbert, Aldingham
  • 15St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
  • 16St. Stephen's Church, Kirkby Stephen
  • 17Dentdale Chapel, Dent
  • 18Swinside Stone Circle
  • 19Castlerigg Stone Circle
  • 20The Pencil Museum
  • 21Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
  • 22Penrith and Eden Museum
  • 23Jesus Church, Troutbeck
  • 24Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop
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. 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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  2. 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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  3. 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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  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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