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.
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
A 14thC fortified home in course of reconstruction to provide craft centre.
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER…
Historic haunted Castle home to the Pennington family for 800 years. A 70-acre garden famous for…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
A mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
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 41 to 60.
Barrow-in-Furness
Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the social and industrial history of the Furness area. The museum is a great day out for all with a popular playground, attractive Channelside walks, cafe…
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.
Kendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
Eskdale
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished by the occurance within them of small cairns. Construction date is thought to be around 2000BC.
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.
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
Brampton
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall. Explore the remains of the Roman fort and discover displays, artefacts and rest in the Tearoom.
Millom
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a long farm track from a minor road branching off the A595. Well worth the walk!
Ambleside
A mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a place for all the family to enjoy. Join a guided tour to learn more about the castle's colourful history.
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.
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
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.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
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.
Windermere
Blackwell is one of Britain's finest and most important houses from the turn of the last century, situated in a stunning setting overlooking lake Windermere.
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.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking museum in the Lakes', Rough Guide - all editions.
Grange-over-Sands
Family home to the Cavendish's. Victorian wing, glorious gardens and parkland, woodlands, food hall, gift shop, courtyard cafe and Ilex Brasserie. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL