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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

Exterior, Grounds, and Gardens at Holker Hall and Gardens near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria
Holker Hall and Gardens

A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with…

Exterior and picnic tables at Wray Castle, Low Wray, Ambleside, Lake District
Wray

Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…

St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton
St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton

St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…

Exterior and Marina at The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven, Cumbria
The Beacon Museum

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

St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick

St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…

St John the Evangelist, Levens
St John the Evangelist, Levens

A local landmark, the church is set on the end of a limestone ridge at the gateway to the Lake…

The Bridge House, Ambleside
The Bridge House, Ambleside

Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…

St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh

Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…

Archway Entrance to Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, Cumbria
Jennings Brewery

The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…

St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite
St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite

St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…

Jesus Church, Troutbeck
Jesus Church, Troutbeck

Nestling in the hills of the Troutbeck Valley, a place for walkers and pilgrims to pause, reflect…

Holy Trinity, Casterton
Holy Trinity, Casterton

Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and…

Exterior and gardens at Townend in Troutbeck, Windermere, Lake District
Townend

A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…

The Heritage Boat Osprey at the Windermere Jetty Museum in Windermere, Lake District
Windermere Jetty Museum

Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…

Cautley Chaple, Sedbergh
Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh

Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…

St. Andrew's Church, Penrith
St. Andrew's Church, Penrith

According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…

St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere
St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere

This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…

Exterior of Wordsworth Grasmere in the Lake District, Cumbria
Wordsworth Grasmere

Enjoy your perfect Lake District day out at Wordsworth Grasmere. Discover the home of William…

Exterior and Entrance at Hawkshead Grammar School Museum in the Lake District, Cumbria
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum

Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…

St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster
St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster

Located in the grounds of Muncaster Castle, it is believed that worship on this site dates to pre…

St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick
St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick

Crosthwaite Church has a long history and it is thought that Christians have worshipped on this…

Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown

Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution…

St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune
St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune

Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…

St Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead

Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District…

PrevPrev
  • 1Holker Hall and Gardens
  • 2Wray
  • 3St. Peter's Church, Field Broughton
  • 4The Beacon Museum
  • 5St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
  • 6St John the Evangelist, Levens
  • 7The Bridge House, Ambleside
  • 8St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
  • 9Jennings Brewery
  • 10St. Peter's Church, Finsthwaite
  • 11Jesus Church, Troutbeck
  • 12Holy Trinity, Casterton
  • 13Townend
  • 14Windermere Jetty Museum
  • 15Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh
  • 16St. Andrew's Church, Penrith
  • 17St. Oswald's Church, Grasmere
  • 18Wordsworth Grasmere
  • 19Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
  • 20St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster
  • 21St Kentigern, Crosthwaite, Keswick
  • 22Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown
  • 23St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune
  • 24St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
NextNext

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

  • Arts & Culture, History & Heritage in The Lake District, Cumbria
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  1. Interior of West Walls Brewing Co in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Interior of West Walls Brewing Co in Carlisle, Cumbria
    West Walls Brewing Co

    Address

    Unit 2, West Walls Building, W Walls, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 8UB

    Telephone

    07950038622

    info@westwallsbrewing.co.uk

    W Walls, Carlisle

    Discover a hidden gem in the historic heart of Carlisle—West Walls Brewing Co., Cumbria’s first city-centre microbrewery nestled within the iconic Twisted Wheel nightclub. Our venue blends rich history with modern flair, offering tourists an…

    Add West Walls Brewing Co to your Itinerary

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  2. Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Interior seating and layout at Crooked River Tap in Keswick, Lake District
    Crooked River Brewing Co

    Address

    Crooked River Tap, 7 Packhorse Ct, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5JB

    Telephone

    017687 21705

    info@crooked-river.co.uk

    Keswick

    Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in Keswick

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  3. Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Brewer with Malt at Carlisle Brewing Co. in Carlisle, Cumbria
    Carlisle Brewing Co.

    Address

    The Carlisle Brewing Company, 2, 12A Kingstown Broadway, Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 0HA

    Telephone

    01228 594959

    Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle

    Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer because we simply love it - real ale is awesome! We've spent more years than we care to remember drinking real ale of all styles and flavours.

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  4. Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Exterior at Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro in Rowrah, Cumbria
    Ennerdale Brewery

    Address

    Ennerdale Brewery, Tap & Bistro, Chapel Row, Rowrah, Cumbria, CA26 3XS

    Telephone

    01946 862977

    info@ennerdalebrewery.co.uk

    Rowrah

    Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and consistency championing the highest quality of malts, whole cone hops and Lake District water, our in house yeast strain derived from traditional…

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