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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.
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
In spite of the eclectic origins of its many parts, St Oswald's significance lies it its…
The brewery is now open again, at the foot of Cockermouth Castle, surrounded by the River Derwent…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
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.…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
Nenthead Mines is a historic place at Nenthead, near Alston. This remote valley is covered by…
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View…
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…


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: 144
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Workington
In spite of the eclectic origins of its many parts, St Oswald's significance lies it its alterations and accumulation of features over time including Norman font and walls, 13th century windows, 15th century chancel and furniture by Thompson (the…
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
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and restoration.
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.
Windermere
Family Day Out – Walk the lakeshore, hop on a boat cruise, or enjoy a picnic by the water while the kids keep watch for the creature. It’s a magical way to make a family walk or boat trip even more exciting. A Lake District Character – Bownessie…
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.
Sedbergh
Mount Zion Chapel was opened in 1876, the same year in which the Midland Railway Company opened the famous Settle to Carlisle railway, serving the local community of railway employees and farmers.
Boot, Holmrook
Eskdale Mill is a unique experience, nestled in one of the Lake District's most beautiful locations. This charming site embodies the Lake District’s heritage. It is the last remaining working water-powered corn mill in the Lake District.
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
Ambleside
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.
Ulverston
St Mary and St Michael's church is said to have very early origins, as 9th and 10th century richly carved crosses were found on the site and are now on display in the church.
The building's history is palpable and its setting is peaceful. Clues to…
Nr Seascale
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a low central cairn. The third is immediately north of the second, it is 24' across and also encloses a small cairn.
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…
Carnforth
Built in 1833 by William Carus Wilson, Founder of the Clergy Daughters School, as school chapel and parish church with a strong connection with local heritage and Bronte sisters.
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.
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.
Silloth
A museum/exhibition based on a collection of toy soldiers and related forts, guns etc. Battlefield models, Hadrian's Wall feature, historical information.
Ulverston
Aldingham church hugs the Cumbrian side of Morecambe Bay and is open to the wild beauty of the Bay, an area of designated county landscape importance and scenic beauty.
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!
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