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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

Aerial View of Muncaster Castle & Gardens in Ravenglass, Cumbria
Muncaster Castle

Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake…

St Mary with Holy Trinity, Ulverston
St Mary with Holy Trinity, Ulverston

Step through a 12th century doorway into an oasis of calm where worship, history, wood and stones…

Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre and Temple for World Peace in Ulverston, Cumbria
Buddhist Temple for World Peace, Ulverston

Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…

Elva Plain Stone Circle - Photo by Bill Boaden courtesy of Geograph.org.uk
Elva Plain Stone Circle

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

Beers from Keswick Brewery in Keswick, Lake District
Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop

Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Train with a scenic mountain backdrop and lake reflection © Mark Fielding
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake…

Burnmoor stone circles. Photo courtesy of the Lake District National Park.
Eskdale Moor/Burnmoor Stone Circles

Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished…

St Michael and All Angels church, Arthuret
St Michael and All Angels, Arthuret

Said to be the resting place of the legendary King Arthur. The church of St Michael & All Angels is…

All Saints, Boltongate
All Saints, Boltongate

Described by Nicholas Pevsner as “one of the architectural sensations of Cumberland.” The present…

Hawes Junction Chapel, Garsdale Head
Hawes Junction Chapel, Garsdale Head

Mount Zion Chapel was opened in 1876, the same year in which the Midland Railway Company opened the…

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

Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…

Exterior and Grounds at Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin in Coniston, Lake District
Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin

Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…

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…

The Armitt: Museum, Gallery, Library in Ambleside, Lake District
The Armitt Museum

Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…

Gamelands Stone Circle
Gamelands Stone Circle

One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…

Stained glass window at St. Martin's Church Brampton
St. Martin's Church, Brampton

A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…

St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland
St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland

St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…

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…

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…

St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk

The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…

St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
St. Mary's Church, Gosforth

St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.

Ruins of Furness Abbey in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Furness Abbey

Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…

St. Mary Church, Wreay
St Mary Church, Wreay

A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…

Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington
Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington

The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…

PrevPrev
  • 1Muncaster Castle
  • 2St Mary with Holy Trinity, Ulverston
  • 3Buddhist Temple for World Peace, Ulverston
  • 4Elva Plain Stone Circle
  • 5Keswick Brewery Tours, Bar and Shop
  • 6Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
  • 7Eskdale Moor/Burnmoor Stone Circles
  • 8St Michael and All Angels, Arthuret
  • 9All Saints, Boltongate
  • 10Hawes Junction Chapel, Garsdale Head
  • 11Ennerdale Brewery
  • 12Brantwood, Home of John Ruskin
  • 13Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
  • 14The Armitt Museum
  • 15Gamelands Stone Circle
  • 16St. Martin's Church, Brampton
  • 17St. Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmorland
  • 18St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh
  • 19St. Michael & All Angels Church, Hawkshead
  • 20St. Andrew's Church, Kirkandrews on Esk
  • 21St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
  • 22Furness Abbey
  • 23St Mary Church, Wreay
  • 24Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael Church, Workington
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. The Bridge House, Ambleside
    The Bridge House, Ambleside
    The Bridge House, Ambleside

    Address

    Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9AN

    Telephone

    015394 32617

    Ambleside

    Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of Ambleside as a quirky reminder of Ambleside’s past.

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  2. Exterior and Gardens at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Exterior and Gardens at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Gazebo and gardens at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Garden wall with a quote inscribed from Francis Bacon at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Exterior of Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Scenic view and hydrangeas at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Exterior and Gardens at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Gazebo and gardens at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Garden wall with a quote inscribed from Francis Bacon at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Exterior of Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Scenic view and hydrangeas at Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens near Bassenthwaite, Lake District
    Mirehouse Historic House and Gardens

    Address

    Mirehouse & Gardens, A591, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QE

    Telephone

    017687 72287

    info@mirehouse.com

    Keswick

    Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages. Stroll lakeside paths, explore woodland playgrounds, and enjoy the Poetry Walk or the serene walled Bee Garden. Inside, discover fascinating literary…

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    Tourism For All

    Tick for venues providing access information
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    Tripadvisor Traveller Rating

    Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 220 reviews220 reviews
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  3. Replica Waterbird Flying over Windermere, Lake District - © Mark Wright
    Replica Waterbird Flying over Windermere, Lake District - © Mark Wright
    Waterbird's Big Book at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Replica Waterbird Flying over Windermere, Lake District - © Mark Wright
    Waterbird's Big Book at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Wings over Windermere Exhibition at at Windermere Library in Windermere, Lake District
    Waterbird - Wings over Windermere

    Address

    Windermere Library, Ellerthwaite Rd, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 2AJ

    Telephone

    07786 918176

    info@waterbird.org.uk

    Windermere

    A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering aviation at Windermere from 1911 up to the present, including features for involvement by children. Disabled access.

    Add Waterbird - Wings over Windermere to your Itinerary

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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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…

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