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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.
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…
Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this…
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
Said to be the resting place of the legendary King Arthur. The church of St Michael & All Angels is…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a…
Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in…
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…
Family-run distillery in Kendal offering guided tours and tastings. Discover how we craft gins,…
Brougham Hall is a 14th Century Fortified ruin home to a variety of working craft units, a cafe,…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…


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 1 to 20.
Penrith
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor Divock is 300 metres above sea level, forming part of Askham Fell, to the East of Ullswater.
Nr Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced Coniston slate. Over the past 25 years, local builder Edward Robinson carefully created each one by hand, faithfully recreating some of Cumbria’s most…
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.
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’.
Cockermouth
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home. Whether you meet the maid-of-all-work or a knowledgeable 21st-century guide, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Keswick
Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this site for nearly 1500 years. The present church was built in 118, with many interesting elements dating from the 12th to the 16th century. This church is…
Ulverston
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly carved crosses were found on the site and are now on display in the church.
The building's history is palpable and its setting is peaceful. Clues to…
Penrith
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have fallen over so none are higher than one yard but they are 100 yards in circumference.
Carlisle
Said to be the resting place of the legendary King Arthur. The church of St Michael & All Angels is situated on a hill in the ancient parish of Arthuret and overlooks the market town of Longtown with fine views of the surrounding countryside.
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…
Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
Alston
The multi award winning South Tynedale Railway is situated in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Global Geopark.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
CARLISLE
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed by ‘God’s Architect’ Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. The church retains all of its original elaborate architectural features, fittings and furniture,…
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands on the site of a Saxon church and contains many ancient relics.
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
Brewery Lane, Keswick
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk from Keswick town centre, enjoy a beer where it’s brewed. Explore on a tour, visit our Brewery Shop, and relax in our Flying Fox Bar.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Brampton
Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a magnificent and fascinating complex of historic buildings. St Mary’s sits in the former nave of the Priory, an Augustinian monastery founded in 1169.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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