You are here: Home > Things to Do > 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.
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 141 to 144.
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.
Keswick
Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in Keswick
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…
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…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL