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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 Lakeland Model Village showcases dozens of miniature buildings crafted from locally sourced…
Family-run distillery in Kendal offering guided tours and tastings. Discover how we craft gins,…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake…
Morland church has the only Anglo Saxon tower in Cumbria which is a remarkable survival and…
One of the largest surviving Roman structures in England, about 40 feet by 90 feet with walls over…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Sizergh boasts 800 years of family history, and is filled with thousands of fascinating items…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Family Day Out – Walk the lakeshore, hop on a boat cruise, or enjoy a picnic by the water while the…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…
Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay,…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…


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.
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.
Ambleside
The Roman Fort of Galava in Ambleside, one of a series of fortified structures to protect the vital trade routes through Cumbria, was built around AD79, and made use of a strategic position, protected on two sides by water.
PENRITH
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel dating from 1220. The church is fully open and much visited, with all entries in the visitor’s book remarking on the special atmosphere and sense of peace…
Cockermouth
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent and the River Cocker. This water source is integral to our brewing, as our water is drawn direct from the castle well. This pure, Lakeland water, is…
PENRITH
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home of the Dacre Bears, four unique medieval stone statues.
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.
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.
PENRITH
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time in the county’, rebuilt in 1720 on an ancient site
WIGTON
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution of the Monasteries for this church, when the local people successfully petitioned Thomas Cromwell to allow them to continue to use the church.
Sedbergh
Cowgill church is a welcoming haven for walkers, cyclists and other visitors, sitting on the Dales Way in the the Yorkshire Dales National Park just a mile from the Settle Carlisle Railway and Dent Station.
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.
Carlisle
Situated prominently in the heart of the village, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. St Mary’s is the only church actually on the course of Hadrian's Wall.
Kendal
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging from the 1700's to the present. In our refreshed collection galleries discover the stories of our extraordinary collection pieces and the people…
Grange-over-Sands
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with the warmth and welcome of a much loved family home. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Alston
Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St Augustine's houses the unique single handed Derwentwater Clock.
CARNFORTH
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with commanding views from the churchyard.
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.
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.
ULVERSTON
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an award for its design as a ‘mountain chapel’.
Ulverston
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
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