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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.
ONE OF THE UK'S OLDEST MUSEUMS, where History and Nature meet
Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne…
Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, this beautiful 13C church stands to its full height and remains…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and…
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the…
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling…
This charming 17th century building, which served as the office of Beatrix Potter's solicitor…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Treasures and tales of the north lakes in a beautiful Lakeland slate building in Fitz Park with…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
Impressive red sandstone remains with ornately decorated chapter house. Once the second most…
New luxury tourist trains to run daily except Fridays this summer on the famous Settle-Carlisle…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
A mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a…
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
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: 79
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Penrith
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the Nevilles and Richard lll. Set in a municipal park opposite the railway station.
Penrith
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal and culinary herb collection and orchards, woodland walks to a restored watermill.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
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.
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.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
Penrith
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975 after it had fallen - some 3500 years after first being set on end.
CARLISLE
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years. The church is somewhat simpler and certainly younger, with some parts of it dating from 1277, although mostly it is from the…
Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
Penrith
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was a series of cremations, one in a collared urn.
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.
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.
Carlisle
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is Carlisle's finest visitor attraction, and houses considerable collections of fine and decorative art, human history and natural sciences.
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.
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.
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Carlisle
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a working fortress until well within living memory. Today's highlights include the Prisoners' beautiful carvings, the exhibition and wall walk.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
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