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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.
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic…
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
Step into The Vault and unlock the history of Kirkby Lonsdale through this interactive, and free to…
The Roman Fort of Galava in Ambleside, one of a series of fortified structures to protect the vital…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Set in a tranquil rural landscape, overlooked by Hadrian's Wall, Lanercost Priory forms a…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
Enjoy your perfect Lake District day out at Wordsworth Grasmere. Discover the home of William…
Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Lamplugh church, designed by William Butterfield, is located in a dramatic landscape on an elevated…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.


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

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