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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 41 to 60.
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
Grasmere
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only partially restored and decorated, this isn’t a typical National Trust experience.
Ambleside
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden. Her paintings of the House and garden were used to illustrate many of her tales.
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.
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.
APPLEBY-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.
Penrith
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling across one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the country. When you do this at Lowther, you have found the lost castle.
Ravenglass
Discover the captivating charm of Muncaster Castle, a historic gem nestled on the stunning Lake District coast where mountains meet the sea. With over 800 years of history, Muncaster is still cherished by the Pennington family, who warmly welcome…
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
1864 reviewsGRANGE-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.
Grange-over-Sands
A fascinating historic house where the elegance and loveliness of the Victorian era combine with the warmth and welcome of a much loved family home. The hall is set in 25 acres of romantic formal & woodland gardens and ancient parkland, with the…
Grasmere
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and high thinking’. The sights, sounds and smells bring to life the bustling family home the Wordsworths would have known over 200 years ago.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
975 reviewsPenrith
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.
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.
CARLISLE
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed by ‘God’s Architect’ Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. The church retains all of its original elaborate architectural features, fittings and furniture,…
Cockermouth
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station buildings, with a level-access path along the former platform and through woodland teeming with wildlife. Serving interesting and fresh cafe food,…
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…
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.
AMBLESIDE
This church is well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard.
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.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
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