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  1. Carlisle Cathedral
    History & Heritage
  2. Wray Castle, Ambleside
    History & Heritage
  3. Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness
    History & Heritage
  4. Muncaster Castle and gardens, Western Lakes
    History & Heritage

You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage

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.

Highlights

Lacra Stone Circles
Lacra Stone Circles

Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…

Grey Croft Stone Circle
Grey Croft Stone Circle

The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…

Studfold Gate Stone Circle
Studfold Gate Stone Circle

Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…

Levens Hall & Gardens
Levens Hall, Gardens & Kitchen

A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. …

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery

Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is Carlisle's finest visitor attraction, and houses…

The Dock Museum
The Dock Museum

Built in a historic nineteenth century dock, the museum is home to a wealth of objects on the…

Beatrix Potter: Image and Reality
Beatrix Potter: Image and Reality

Image & Reality, exploring the life of the Armitt's most famous member. Beatrix Potter gave books…

Laurel and Hardy Museum
Laurel and Hardy Museum

The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.

Banks East Turret; Hadrian's Wall
Banks East Turret; Hadrian's Wall

Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.

Birdoswald Roman Fort
Birdoswald Roman Fort

Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…

Quaker Tapestry Museum
Quaker Tapestry Museum

A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…

Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey

Impressive red sandstone remains with ornately decorated chapter house. Once the second most…

The Beacon Museum
The Beacon Museum

Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…

Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle

Historic haunted Castle home to the Pennington family for 800 years. A 70-acre garden famous for…

The Ruskin Gallery at The Ruskin Museum
The Ruskin Museum

Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace, and…

Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some…

Carlisle Castle Exhibition
Carlisle Castle Exhibition

Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its…

Wray Castle
Wray Castle

A mock-gothic Castle, on the western shore of Windermere. Empty of original furniture, this is a…

Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle

Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…

Brougham Castle
Brougham Castle

Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne…

Elvastone Circle
Elvastone Circle

The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…

Gretigate Stone Circles
Gretigate Stone Circles

Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a…

Ribblehead Viaduct - Settle to Carlisle Railway. Photo by Stuart Petch.
Great days out on the Settle to Carlisle Railway

Treat yourself to a fabulous day out by train on the famous Settle to Carlisle line this summer…

Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens
Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens

Family-run historic house with strong literary connections. Live piano music and children's quiz in…

PrevPrev
  • 1Lacra Stone Circles
  • 2Grey Croft Stone Circle
  • 3Studfold Gate Stone Circle
  • 4Levens Hall, Gardens & Kitchen
  • 5Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
  • 6The Dock Museum
  • 7Beatrix Potter: Image and Reality
  • 8Laurel and Hardy Museum
  • 9Banks East Turret; Hadrian's Wall
  • 10Birdoswald Roman Fort
  • 11Quaker Tapestry Museum
  • 12Furness Abbey
  • 13The Beacon Museum
  • 14Muncaster Castle
  • 15The Ruskin Museum
  • 16Hadrian's Wall
  • 17Carlisle Castle Exhibition
  • 18Wray Castle
  • 19Castlerigg Stone Circle
  • 20Brougham Castle
  • 21Elvastone Circle
  • 22Gretigate Stone Circles
  • 23Great days out on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
  • 24Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens
NextNext

 Wherever you are in Cumbria  the history of the Vikings, the Angles and the Saxons is read in the names they left behind

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Number of results: 74

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  1. Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens
    Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens

    Address

    Underskiddaw, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QE

    Telephone

    017687 72287

    info@mirehouse.com

    Keswick

    Family-run historic house with strong literary connections. Live piano music and children's quiz in the house. Woodland playgrounds, heather maze, lakeside and poetry walk in the grounds.Great tearoom specialising in Cumbrian food.

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    More Details
  2. Rydal Mount and Gardens
    Rydal Mount and Gardens

    Address

    Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LU

    Telephone

    015394 33002

    info@rydalmount.co.uk

    Ambleside

    Wordsworth's best loved family home for 37 years. It was here that he wrote many of his poems. He became Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria at the age of 74 and was his most successful.

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  3. Farfield Mill
    Farfield Mill
    Heritage weaving loom at Farfield Mill
    Galleries and exhibitions at Farfield Mill
    Tearoom at Farfield Mill
    Weaving Water Woven Land - British Tapesty Scottish group exhibition at Farfield Mill
    Hidden Hedgerows exhibition by Ruth Clayton Wickerfish art studio Farfield Mill
    Artist studios at Farfield Mill
    Farfield Mill shop and Makers Gallery
    Colour Pattern Texture weaving workshop with Jan Beadle at Farfield Mill
    Farfield Mill
    Heritage weaving loom at Farfield Mill
    Galleries and exhibitions at Farfield Mill
    Tearoom at Farfield Mill
    Weaving Water Woven Land - British Tapesty Scottish group exhibition at Farfield Mill
    Hidden Hedgerows exhibition by Ruth Clayton Wickerfish art studio Farfield Mill
    Artist studios at Farfield Mill
    Farfield Mill shop and Makers Gallery
    Colour Pattern Texture weaving workshop with Jan Beadle at Farfield Mill
    Farfield Mill

    Address

    Garsdale Road, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5LW

    Telephone

    01539 621958

    reception@farfieldmill.org

    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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  4. Stott Park Bobbin Mill
    Stott Park Bobbin Mill

    Address

    Low Stott Park, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8AX

    Telephone

    01539 531087

    customers@english-heritage.org.uk

    Ulverston

    Working mill on lake Windermere shore, built in 1835 to produce the wooden bobbins vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries.

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  5. Holker Hall and Gardens
    Holker Hall and Gardens

    Address

    Cark in Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, LA11 7PL

    Telephone

    015395 58328

    info@holker.co.uk

    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…

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  6. Buddhist Temple for World Peace, Ulverston
    Buddhist Temple for World Peace, Ulverston

    Address

    The World Peace Temple, Ulverston, A5087 Coast Road, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9QQ

    Telephone

    01229 584029

    visits@manjushri.org

    Ulverston

    Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach. Guided tour at 2.30pm on Weekends and BHs.

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  7. Hawkshead Brewery & Beer Hall
    Hawkshead Brewery & Beer Hall

    Address

    Mill Yard, Back Lane, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9LR

    Telephone

    01539 825260

    info@hawksheadbrewery.co.uk

    Kendal

    The beer hall is the Brewery Tap, sampling room, visitors centre and beer shop. it is a fully licensed bar which looks down onto the brew house.

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  8. Lanercost Priory
    Lanercost Priory

    Address

    Lanercost, Brampton, Cumbria, CA8 2HQ

    Telephone

    01697 73030

    customers@english-heritage.org.uk

    Brampton

    Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, this beautiful 13C church stands to its full height and remains remarkably well-preserved.

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  9. Jennings Brewery
    Jennings Brewery

    Address

    Castle Brewery, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9NE

    Telephone

    0845 1297190

    jenningsbreweryshop@marstons.co.uk

    Cockermouth

    Enjoy a guided tour of the Brewery. Sample superb Lakeland ales. Shop for beer, leisurewear and gifts.

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  10. Keswick Museum Cabinet of Curiosities
    Keswick Museum Cabinet of Curiosities
    Keswick Museum
    Keswick Museum Lithophone
    Keswick Museum Telling Tales
    Keswick Museum Exploring History
    Keswick Museum
    Keswick Museum Cabinet of Curiosities
    Keswick Museum
    Keswick Museum Lithophone
    Keswick Museum Telling Tales
    Keswick Museum Exploring History
    Keswick Museum
    Keswick Museum

    Address

    Keswick Museum, Fitz Park, Station Road, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4NF

    Telephone

    017687 73263

    info@keswickmuseum.org.uk

    Station Road, Keswick

    Treasures and tales of the north lakes in a beautiful Lakeland slate building in Fitz Park with special exhibitions, activities and cafe.

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  11. Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
    Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens

    Address

    Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0HB

    Telephone

    017684 86450

    houseopening@dalemain.com

    Penrith

    A much loved historic family home, set against the grandeur and picturesque splendour of the lakeland fells and the surrounding parkland. Daleman has a delightful five acre plantsman's garden.

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  12. Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
    Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

    Address

    Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Main Street, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0NT

    Telephone

    015394 36674

    hgsfcurator@gmail.com

    Hawkshead, Ambleside

    IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS, THE MUSEUM WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

    Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School from age 9 to 17. The school is now a
    museum and looks much as it did in Wordsworth’s day.

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  13. Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop
    Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop

    Address

    Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop, The Old Brewery, Brewery Lane, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5BY

    Telephone

    017687 80700

    info@keswickbrewery.co.uk

    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.

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  14. Senhouse Roman Museum
    Senhouse Roman Museum
    Senhouse Roman Museum from the air
    Senhouse Roman Museum
    Main Gallery - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Venus - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Water Nymphs - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Epona and school visit - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Senhouse Roman Museum
    Senhouse Roman Museum from the air
    Senhouse Roman Museum
    Main Gallery - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Venus - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Water Nymphs - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Epona and school visit - Senhouse Roman Museum
    Senhouse Roman Museum

    Address

    The Battery, Sea Brows, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 6JD

    Telephone

    01900 816168

    senhousemuseum@aol.com

    Maryport

    Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.

    Add Senhouse Roman Museum to your Itinerary

    More Details
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