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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.
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
Come and walk up the aisle of our beautiful and peaceful church and learn about the lives of the…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations…
Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
Located in the grounds of Muncaster Castle, it is believed that worship on this site dates to pre…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering…
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
Cowgill church is a welcoming haven for walkers, cyclists and other visitors, sitting on the Dales…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Described by Nicholas Pevsner as “one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland.” The present…


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 41 to 60.
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
KESWICK
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and tranquillity, it can be traced back to the mid 16th century, although it was substantially refurbished in the 1840s.
Workington
In spite of the eclectic origins of its many parts, St Oswald's significance lies it its alterations and accumulation of features over time including Norman font and walls, 13th century windows, 15th century chancel and furniture by Thompson (the…
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.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
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.
Workington
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated site, set against the outlying fells of the Lake District National Park with Owsen and Blake Fells beyond.
Penrith
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our gin is infused with the echoes of the past that permeate the very walls! We distill, fill and label our products on site.
AMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
Carlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
Penrith
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther Castle is one of the northwest's most spectacular visitor attractions. Its setting within the Lake District National Park is truly beautiful while the…
Boot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
Workington
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone. Eleven others survive, some only a few inches high.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
CARLISLE
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of its past. The church serves the scattered population in the rural parish of Kirkandrews on Esk, once the centre of the historic and lawless Debateable…
PENRITH
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was rested here after being brought from Holy Island. The Pele Tower was added in 1380, with an iron door for defence of the inhabitants against the Scots.
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…
Ulverston
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
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