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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.
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history,…
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events,…
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal…
A real Lakeland hidden treasure set in the beautiful village of Troutbeck, this 17thC solid stone…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
The house boasts 800 years of family history, and is still lived in by the Strickland family today.…
The 8th century, Anglo Saxon Bewcastle Cross, stands free in the churchyard where it has been for…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne…
Whether you see yourself as an aviation enthusiast or simply a curious explorer, Solway Aviation…
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the…
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.
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.…
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.
Penrith
A tranquil haven with an almost-forgotten industrial past. Walled garden with outstanding medicinal and culinary herb collection and orchards, woodland walks to a restored watermill.
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…
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
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975 after it had fallen - some 3500 years after first being set on end.
Penrith
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was a series of cremations, one in a collared urn.
MILNTHORPE
St Peter’s, the oldest site of worship in the old county of Westmorland and the building we see today reflects its long and fascinating history.
Sedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
The Promenade, Maryport
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars, inscriptions and sculptures from the adjacent Roman fort and civilian settlement.
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
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…
Nr Kendal
The house boasts 800 years of family history, and is still lived in by the Strickland family today. Filled with thousands of items collected by 26 generations of the family the house certainly feels lived in, with centuries-old portraits and fine…
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…
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
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
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.
Cockermouth
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake Station offers a unique place to enjoy breakfast, brunch and lunch aboard the replica Orient Express train, right here in the Lake District.
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.
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.
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