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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.
Standing proudly in the city it has dominated for nine centuries, Carlisle Castle remained a…
The house boasts 800 years of family history, and is still lived in by the Strickland family today.…
Imagine coming to a ruined castle, walking through its gardens and into the woodlands and stumbling…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Castle open to public at all times. Church open to public dawn to dusk. Bewcastle Cross Shaft Anglo…
The stream which flows over Aira Force is Aira Beck, which rises on the upper slopes of Stybarrow…
Greystoke Castle, a 12th-century gem in the Cumbrian countryside, offers 800 years of history,…
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most dramatically sited and remote Roman forts in Britain. It…
Circle has a diameter of 60' and stands on a flattened mound or platform. There are 20 uprights,…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…
Several stone circles and many small cairns are visible on the moor. The circles are distinguished…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
A masterpiece of storytelling; 350 years of social history and a celebration of life, revolutions…
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and…
Roman museum displaying the internationally significant collection of Romano-British altars,…
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere, this extensive working mill was begun in 1835 and…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Newlands church, set in the midst of the lovely Newlands Valley, is a haven of peace and…
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
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 81 to 100.
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.
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…
SEDBERGH
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed windows, Cautley Wesleyan chapel is a good example of its type and date.
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
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.
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Standing at the centre of the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Grade I listed church boasts medieval architecture, awe-inspiring stained glass windows, and a long and varied history spanning over 800 years. The earliest records of a church at…
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.
AMBLESIDE
Grade I listed, it is one of the finest examples of a late medieval, vernacular Lake District church. It has literary connections with Wordsworth and was also the home the home of Archbishop Sandys in the 16th century.
Windermere
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
Kendal
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal, Cumbria, in northern England.
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.
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…
Penrith
Circle is 37' across, seven stones and the retaining kerb of a destroyed cairn. Nineteenth-century excavations produced a cremation.
Grange-over-Sands
Cartmel Priory has been described as the medieval jewel among churches, making a lasting impression on the visitor, standing over the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.
WHITEHAVEN
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Ulverston
Swarthmoor Hall is a 17th century, Grade II* listed country house. The Hall is regarded as the cradle of Quakerism as it was here in 1652 that the Quaker movement was formed during a period of enormous political and religious turmoil.
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,…
Ambleside
Museum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes. Collections include Kurt Schwitters, Beatrix Potter, photography, fine art and local history.
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.
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