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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.
Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, this beautiful 13C church stands to its full height and remains…
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century…
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873…
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Come and visit our brewery to find out more about us and the beers we make. Only a 2 minute walk…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
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: 120
, currently showing 1 to 20.
AMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
PENRITH
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time in the county’, rebuilt in 1720 on an ancient site
Grange-over-Sands
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with the warmth and welcome of a much loved family home. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Brampton
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall. Explore the remains of the Roman fort and discover displays, artefacts and rest in the Tearoom.
Penrith
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have fallen over so none are higher than one yard but they are 100 yards in circumference.
Ulverston
Come and join us at The Old Calf Shed for a behind-the-scenes look at our distillery, followed by a relaxed spirits tasting in our stylish visitor bar.
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…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District and offers a perfectly preserved snapshot of early 20th-century living.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
891 reviewsPenrith
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.
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
104 reviewsRavenglass
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. There are lots of things to do including shopping facilities, a museum,…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1981 reviewsEmbleton
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.
Carlisle
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a working fortress until well within living memory. Today's highlights include the Prisoners' beautiful carvings, the exhibition and wall walk.
SEASCALE
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Kendal
Lakeland Arts' much-loved art collection includes paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture ranging from the 1700's to the present. In our refreshed collection galleries discover the stories of our extraordinary collection pieces and the people…
Penrith
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow Dodd at a height of 720 metres and flows north-easterly before turning south, blocked by the high heather-covered slopes of Gowbarrow Fell.
WORKINGTON
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873 - 1876 to replace a chapel in the grounds which now forms part of St Joseph's High School.
PENRITH
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was rested here after being brought from Holy Island. The Pele Tower was added in 1380, with an iron door for defence of the inhabitants against the Scots.
KESWICK
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site for this church commands superb views of the surrounding Lakeland hills.
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.
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