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.
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…
Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
Step through a 12th century doorway into an oasis of calm where worship, history, wood and stones…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
With a history dating back over a thousand years, Holy Trinity is one of the largest parish…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…
Come and walk up the aisle of our beautiful and peaceful church and learn about the lives of the…
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. …
Sizergh boasts 800 years of family history, and is filled with thousands of fascinating items…
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it…


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: 146
, currently showing 141 to 146.
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.
Hawkshead
Step inside the charming world of Tabitha Twitchit's second-hand bookshop in Hawkshead, where every shelf holds a story. Come in and wander round, browse and lose yourself in the quiet magic of well-loved pages and forgotten treasures. Whether…
Middlegate, Penrith
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display material reflecting the history and culture of the Penrith and Eden district.
Keswick
Crooked River Brewing Co is a craft beer brewery based in West Cumbria with a taproom based in Keswick
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…
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.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL