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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

The Rum Story Exhibition in Whitehaven, Cumbria
The Rum Story

Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic…

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…

Characters and scenes from the Peter Rabbit exhibit at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…

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

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

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…

View of the Front of Lowther Castle & Gardens in Lowther, Lake District
Lowther Castle & Gardens

A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…

Exterior and Gardens at Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House in Near Sawrey, Ambleside, Lake District
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat

Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…

Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale

Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to…

Ambleside Roman Fort
Ambleside Roman Fort

The Roman Fort of Galava in Ambleside, one of a series of fortified structures to protect the vital…

Swinside Stone Circle
Swinside Stone Circle

Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…

Slide and Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle & Gardens in Lowther, Lake District
The Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle

Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling…

Cautley Chaple, Sedbergh
Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh

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

St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld
St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld

There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…

St. Cuthbert Church, Bewcastle
St. Cuthbert's Church, Bewcastle

The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…

St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere

Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…

St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory
St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory

Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a…

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…

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…

Photo coming soon
Egremont Castle Park

Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…

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…

St. John's Church, Keswick
St. John's Church, Keswick

The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…

St. Bees Priory
St. Bees Priory

The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…

St Michael and All Angels, Lamplugh
St Michael and All Angels, Lamplugh

Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated…

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

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

PrevPrev
  • 1The Rum Story
  • 2Gretigate Stone Circles
  • 3The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
  • 4St. Andrew's Church, Penrith
  • 5Grey Croft Stone Circle
  • 6Lowther Castle & Gardens
  • 7Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse retreat
  • 8The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale
  • 9Ambleside Roman Fort
  • 10Swinside Stone Circle
  • 11The Lost Castle Adventure Playground at Lowther Castle
  • 12Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh
  • 13St. Cuthbert's Church, Great Salkeld
  • 14St. Cuthbert's Church, Bewcastle
  • 15St. Martin's Church, Bowness-on-Windermere
  • 16St Mary’s, Lanercost Priory
  • 17Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
  • 18Wordsworth Grasmere
  • 19Egremont Castle Park
  • 20Gamelands Stone Circle
  • 21St. John's Church, Keswick
  • 22St. Bees Priory
  • 23St Michael and All Angels, Lamplugh
  • 24Banks East Turret; Hadrian's Wall
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. Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Exterior at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Inside the cell at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Lockers at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    Instructions at The Vault in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria
    The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Address

    The Vault, The Old Bank Buildings, 29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, LA6 2AH

    Telephone

    015242 97177

    29 Main St, Kirkby Lonsdale

    Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to enter, exhibit located in the town’s former bank vault.

    Add The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale to your Itinerary

    More Details
    More Details
  2. 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.

    Add Carlisle Brewing Co. to your Itinerary

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  3. 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…

    Add Ennerdale Brewery to your Itinerary

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  4. 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

    Add Crooked River Brewing Co to your Itinerary

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