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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.
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
Whether you see yourself as an aviation enthusiast or simply a curious explorer, Solway Aviation…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Dominating the Lake District Coast where the mountains tumble into the sea and bursting with…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
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: 119
, currently showing 1 to 20.
SEDBERGH
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed windows, Cautley Wesleyan chapel is a good example of its type and date.
CARLISLE
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I (Longshanks) lay in state in the church for ten days in 1307.
Burgh by Sands is a very interesting church with layers of history.From the 12th century and on…
SEDBERGH
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from 1130, is a haven of peace.
BRAMPTON
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner and the only church designed by preRaphaelite architect Philip Webb.
Embleton
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40 metres in diameter. Only 15 stones of the original 30 remain.
CARNFORTH
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with commanding views from the churchyard.
Penrith
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
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134 reviewsKendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
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706 reviewsCarnforth
Circle has a diameter of 60' and stands on a flattened mound or platform. There are 20 uprights, none more than 2' high and suggesting perhaps the kerb of a destroyed cairn.
Penrith
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal and culinary herb collection and orchards, woodland walks to a restored watermill.
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367 reviewsAmbleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Carlisle
Discover 900 years of history and explore the tumultuous life of Carlisle Castle and its characters, in a new exhibition.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
Ravenglass
Dominating the Lake District Coast where the mountains tumble into the sea and bursting with treasures and tales, haunted Muncaster oozes history from every rough stone which fashion the castle walls.
SEASCALE
St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
WIGTON
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution of the Monasteries for this church, when the local people successfully petitioned Thomas Cromwell to allow them to continue to use the church.
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
ULVERSTON
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an award for its design as a ‘mountain chapel’.
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
Ravenglass
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway!
La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian railway, is an award-winning heritage visitor attraction and Lake District icon, living up to its “must do” reputation for all ages. Excellent…
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1940 reviewsReceive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
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