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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.
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway! La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian…
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of…
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…
St Peter’s was built in 1874 designed by well known Lancashire firm of Paley and Austin and won an…
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
The beer hall is the Brewery Tap, sampling room, visitors centre and beer shop. it is a fully…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, this beautiful 13C church stands to its full height and remains…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes.…
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…
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: 116
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1937 reviewsBarrow-in-Furness
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
318 reviewsNewby Bridge
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience.
Over 100 years of motoring history, the Campbell Bluebird exhibition, IOM TT tribute display and the Leven Valley heritage centre. Gift shop and Cafe Ambio.
Stramongate, Kendal
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions and remarkable people....made by 4,000 people. Facilities: Gift Shop, Cafe, Audio guides, Films, Interactive Displays, Children's Activities.
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191 reviewsSEDBERGH
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
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.
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
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
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1649 reviewsULVERSTON
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’.
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
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…
AMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
Staveley
The beer hall is the Brewery Tap, sampling room, visitors centre and beer shop. it is a fully licensed bar which looks down onto the brew house.
Millom
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a long farm track from a minor road branching off the A595. Well worth the walk!
Penrith
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor Divock is 300 metres above sea level, forming part of Askham Fell, to the East of Ullswater.
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…
ST. BEES
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and historic church in the seaside village of St Bees, built in 1120, is all that remains of the original Priory, but it is a thriving and much loved…
Brampton
Experience the edge of empire at the award winning Roman Army Museum. There is nowhere else like it on Hadrian's Wall.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1064 reviewsKESWICK
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.
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