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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.
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience. Over 100 years…
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red…
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art…
Three stone circles and two smaller settings of boulders 12' across. Inside one of the circles was…
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of…
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Egremont Castle Park in the town of Egremont, offers 2.8 acres of beautiful green space that is…
Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
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: 121
, currently showing 21 to 40.
Penrith
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the Nevilles and Richard lll. Set in a municipal park opposite the railway station.
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
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…
Kendal
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The Museum has a long history in Kendal Town and has occupied various sites but has been at its current location (previously a wool warehouse) since 1913.
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146 reviewsCrosby-on-Eden
Whether you see yourself as an aviation enthusiast or simply a curious explorer, Solway Aviation Museum has something to offer. Based on the site of RAF Crosby-on-Eden, a former WWII fighter base, the museum has been painstakingly created by a team…
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528 reviewsAMBLESIDE
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart of the English Lake District.
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.
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.
Brampton
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
GRANGE-OVER-SANDS
St. Peter's is an outstanding example of the decorated style of architecture, with its warm red sandstone and distinctive shingled spire and clay tiled roof, an unusual feature in the Lake District.
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.
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.
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.
Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
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1618 reviewsAPPLEBY-IN-WESTMORLAND
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late 13th after a raid by the Scots, restored 16th by Lady Anne Clifford, followed by two rounds of 19th century internal remodelling.
Newby Bridge
A unique combination of interrelated stories and a fascinating visitor experience.
Over 100 years of motoring history, the Campbell Bluebird exhibition, IOM TT tribute display and the Leven Valley heritage centre. Gift shop and Cafe Ambio.
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.
WORKINGTON
The church was designed by Edward Welby Pugin (son of Augustus Welby Pugin) and built between 1873 - 1876 to replace a chapel in the grounds which now forms part of St Joseph's High School.
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. It is known as the cradle of Quakerism as the movement was founded here almost 400 years ago. Visitors can relax in our cosy cafe or browse for something special in our gift shop.…
Carnforth
Circle has a diameter of 60' and stands on a flattened mound or platform. There are 20 uprights, none more than 2' high and suggesting perhaps the kerb of a destroyed cairn.
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