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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

Allan Bank in Autumn in Grasmere, Lake District © National Trust Images, Stewart Smith
Allan Bank

Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…

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

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

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…

St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston
St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston

Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St…

Exterior and Gardens of Carlisle Cathedral in Carlisle, Cumbria
Carlisle Cathedral

Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…

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…

Exterior and Gardens at Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House near Penrith, Cumbria
Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House

Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…

St Michael and All Angels, Beetham
St Michael and All Angels, Beetham

The beautiful Grade I church we see today, situated by the River Bela, is the result of additions…

Exterior and Grounds of Swarthmoor Hall in Ulverston, Cumbria
Swarthmoor Hall

Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…

Ravenglass Roman Bath House
Ravenglass Roman Bath House

One of the largest surviving Roman structures in England, about 40 feet by 90 feet with walls over…

St Michael, Brough
St Michael, Brough

Come and walk up the aisle of our beautiful and peaceful church and learn about the lives of the…

St. Anthony, Cartmel Fell
St Anthony's Church, Cartmel Fell

Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…

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…

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…

Historic architecture and grounds at Acorn Bank in Temple Sowerby, Cumbria © National Trust
Acorn Bank

A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Ambleside Roman Fort
Ambleside Roman Fort

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

Exterior and Grounds at Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens in Penrith, Cumbria
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens

Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…

Newlands Church
Newlands Church

Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…

Shap Standing Stones
Shap Standing Stones

Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…

PrevPrev
  • 1Allan Bank
  • 2St. Mary's Church, Gosforth
  • 3The Vault, Kirkby Lonsdale
  • 4St Augustine of Canterbury, Alston
  • 5Carlisle Cathedral
  • 6St Mary Church, Wreay
  • 7Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House
  • 8St Michael and All Angels, Beetham
  • 9Swarthmoor Hall
  • 10Ravenglass Roman Bath House
  • 11St Michael, Brough
  • 12St Anthony's Church, Cartmel Fell
  • 13Gamelands Stone Circle
  • 14Buddhist Temple for World Peace, Ulverston
  • 15Acorn Bank
  • 16St Mary the Virgin and St Michael, Great Urswick
  • 17Ennerdale Brewery
  • 18St. Martin's Church, Brampton
  • 19Lowther Castle & Gardens
  • 20St. Gregory Church, Vale of Lune
  • 21Ambleside Roman Fort
  • 22Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
  • 23Newlands Church
  • 24Shap Standing Stones
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 of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Steven Barber
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © Lakes Culture / Jill Jennings
    Exterior of Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop in Hawkshead, Lake District © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey
    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop

    Address

    Tabitha Twitchit's Bookshop, Main St, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NS

    tabithatwitchitsbookshop@nationaltrust.org.uk

    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…

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  2. 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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  3. 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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  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.

    Add Carlisle Brewing Co. to your Itinerary

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