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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.
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages.…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere, this extensive working mill was begun in 1835 and…
Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
Museum, art gallery, community hub, generally great place. We offer a forward-thinking programme of…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
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: 125
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
Kendal
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England.
Penrith
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated with concentric circle - late Neolithic or early Bronze Age (c2000 or earlier).
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.
CARLISLE
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for nearly 1500 years. The church is somewhat simpler and certainly younger, with some parts of it dating from 1277, although mostly it is from the…
Grasmere
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard.
Eskdale
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It measures just three-acres and the fort at Hardknott enjoyed command of the Eskdale Valley and the Roman road to Ravenglass.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
Windermere
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone and slate house sits imposingly on the hillside, its huge chimneys typical of the area.
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
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…
Cumbria
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is on private land belonging to Seascale How Farm, but can be seen from a nearby footpath.
SEDBERGH
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this Grade II building was originally built as a meeting house by the Society of Friends in 1701.
Ravenglass
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake District coast where mountains meet the sea. With over 800 years of history, Muncaster is still cherished by the Pennington family, who warmly welcome…
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.
Cockermouth
Step back in time to the 1770s and experience William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s childhood home. Whether you meet the maid-of-all-work or a knowledgeable 21st-century guide, you’re guaranteed a warm welcome.
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop and book store. Bring a picnic. Six minute woodland walk to beach.
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…
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
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