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.
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
A lovely church in a remote setting. Known locally as Ninekirks, St Ninian's stands remote down a…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
In spite of the eclectic origins of its many parts, St Oswald's significance lies it its…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Come and walk up the aisle of our beautiful and peaceful church and learn about the lives of the…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer…
One of the largest surviving Roman structures in England, about 40 feet by 90 feet with walls over…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to…
Brougham Hall is a 14th Century Fortified ruin home to a variety of working craft units, a cafe,…
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with…
Step through a 12th century doorway into an oasis of calm where worship, history, wood and stones…
Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…


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 101 to 120.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a graveyard rich with wildflowers, the interior contains unusual box pews, a triple decker pulpit and stained glass both ancient and modern.
SEASCALE
St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
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.
Penrith
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and outstanding example of its type.
The top storey of the tower was added in the 17th century but the massive Saxon structure retains its original masonry,…
SEDBERGH
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western Railway was building its Ingleton branch and sent a Scripture Reader to the navvies.
Windermere
Family Day Out – Walk the lakeshore, hop on a boat cruise, or enjoy a picnic by the water while the kids keep watch for the creature. It’s a magical way to make a family walk or boat trip even more exciting. A Lake District Character – Bownessie…
Penrith
Award Winning Craft Gin Distillery and shop offering gin making workshops in a beautiful medieval setting with other artisan producers and cafe on site.
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.
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.
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.
Ambleside
One of the oldest Methodist Churches in the world and possibly one of the most unique buildings.
Converted from a 15th century cottage in 1862, a small group of local Christians worshipped at 'Union Chapel'. The benefactor was Mrs Satterthwaite. In…
Ravenglass
One of the largest surviving Roman structures in England, about 40 feet by 90 feet with walls over 12 feet high, and containing everything from hot saunas to cold baths.
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
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.
Windermere
Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect and find their eternal bearings.
One of only two churches in England dedicated as Jesus Church. Built to serve two settlements, yet sited in neither,…
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.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
Milnthorpe
The beautiful Grade I church we see today, situated by the River Bela, is the result of additions and adaptations through the centuries.
Mass dials, masons marks, medieval stained glass, a fine Forster & Andrews organ, tower bells and gravestones…
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL