To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
Added: | |
---|---|
![]() | The Ruskin Museum |
You are here: Home > Things to Do > History and Heritage
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...Read More
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.
Read LessWith our incredible Adventure Playground, mini golf, boat hire, and thrilling activities like Zip…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages.…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history,…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
With our incredible Adventure Playground, mini golf, boat hire, and thrilling activities like Zip…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
Mirehouse is a beautiful family home in a breathtaking setting, welcoming visitors of all ages.…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
A free Exhibition at the first floor of Windermere Library which tells the heritage of pioneering…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40…
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history,…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
With our incredible Adventure Playground, mini golf, boat hire, and thrilling activities like Zip…
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
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.
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!
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.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
KESWICK
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and tranquillity, it can be traced back to the mid 16th century, although it was substantially refurbished in the 1840s.
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.
Whitehaven
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games and history.
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…
Embleton
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.
Greystoke
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history, including connections to Catherine Howard and Tarzan. Explore its grand halls, Tarzan Trails, and seasonal events, then relax at the Butler’s Pantry café.…
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
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
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.
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…
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.
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.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a graveyard rich with wildflowers, the interior contains unusual box pews, a triple decker pulpit and stained glass both ancient and modern.
SEDBERGH
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and loved by Friends all over the world.
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.
Windermere
With our incredible Adventure Playground, mini golf, boat hire, and thrilling activities like Zip World and Go Wild, there’s plenty to keep children of all ages entertained.
Penrith
Black Cat Distillery operates out of a stunning fortified and walled Medieval Hall at Brougham. Our gin is infused with the echoes of the past that permeate the very walls! We distill, fill and label our products on site.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL
We are now retrieving your search results. Please wait, this may take up to 30 seconds
Supporting the Destination
Quality Guarantee
We are now retrieving real time availability results. Please wait, this may take up to 30 seconds.