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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 LessOne mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. …
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by a…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National…
There has probably been a church in Great Salkeld since 880 AD, when the body of St Cuthbert was…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
The church is situated centrally in Keswick and stands out by virtue of its tall spire. The site…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet…
Stone circle is now incomplete and has a modern wall cutting through it, incorporating one stone.…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. …
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
Founded in 1504 and Grade I listed this peaceful church is tucked away on the Fell, surrounded by 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: 125
, currently showing 1 to 20.
PENRITH
The 'Old Church' of St Martin was built in the 1660's on the site of a probable earlier chapel dating from 1220. The church is fully open and much visited, with all entries in the visitor’s book remarking on the special atmosphere and sense of peace…
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.
Nr Bassenthwaite Lake
The award-winning Lakes Distillery Company opened in December 2014 in The Lake District National Park with the vision of producing a world class single malt whisky and a global brand that is recognised and respected around the world
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ulverston
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows, Romano-British farmsteads.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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
Kendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
Hexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
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.
SEDBERGH
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.
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