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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.
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home.…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Nestled in the historic heart of Carlisle, within the iconic Twisted Wheel nightclub, West Walls…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
St Mary's has been an important religious site since the 8th century.
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
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.
Millom
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one of them having contained a cremation.
Lakeside
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you can visit the station tea room, gift shop, woodland playground, picnic area and engine shed. Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from…
Penrith
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was a series of cremations, one in a collared urn.
Barrow-in-Furness
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
SEDBERGH
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western Railway was building its Ingleton branch and sent a Scripture Reader to the navvies.
Penrith
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975 after it had fallen - some 3500 years after first being set on end.
WHITEHAVEN
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
PENRITH
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home of the Dacre Bears, four unique medieval stone statues.
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired by ecosystems found in nature. Immerse yourself in the Microworld and discover a space where creatures respond to each other and to you.
Bewcastle, Carlisle
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo Saxon 7thC, beside church. Dates from 1361, east wall 12thC.
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
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1066 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.
SEDBERGH
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world.
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of Quakerism as the movement was founded here almost 400 years ago. Visitors can relax in our cosy cafe or browse for something special in our gift shop.…
CARLISLE
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her sister and parents. Influenced by the architecture seen on her Grand Tour of Europe, she created an original design that was very much at odds with the…
Workington
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone. Eleven others survive, some only a few inches high.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
Eskdale
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished by the occurance within them of small cairns. Construction date is thought to be around 2000BC.
Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
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