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The coastline of the western lake district, with its maritime history, has brought a variety of people and faiths to Cumbria’s shores. Many of whom settled, integrated and made the region their home.
St Mary’s, Gosforth, is rich in history and artefacts of the Scandinavian Vikings. The Norse ‘Gosforth Cross' dating from around 940AD, depicts a fusion of Viking and Christian stories which reveal the transition from pagan to Christian beliefs. One of the smallest churches near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England; St Olaf’s, at Wasdale Head, honours the early Viking settlers to these dales as well as those lost on the surrounding peaks. St Bees Priory, is partly dedicated to St Bega. Bega was an Irish princess who sailed single handed across the Irish sea to escape a forced marriage to a Viking chief. Stained glass in the Priory depicts her landing. The Cistercian monastery of Holme Cultran Abbey was founded in 1150 by David I of Scotland, the order itself was established near Dijon, France. Buddhist symbols, in honour of a Sri Lankan vicar, are engraved into the glass doors of St James, Whitehaven. Step inside and you will find an impressive 18th Century interior. Once home to Benedictine Monks, spiritual descendants of early medieval Italy and Gaul, the now Roman Catholic church of Our Lady Star of the Sea & St Michael, Workington is also home to several mice; the carved symbol of the furniture maker Robert ‘Mouseman' Thompson of Kilburn.
Below, we have highlighted just a few of the churches in the Western Lakes & Coast area for you to explore. As well as this area, you can also find out more about churches in the following areas of the county:
Shakespeare's profound story of love and loss, artfully adapted into a contemporary three-act…
Rumoured to be one of Chris Bonnington's favourites in the Lake District, Blencathra's (868m)…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
Are you a crafter or interested in crafts? Would you like to take part in our free wellbeing…
This new display delves into the Townend archive collection, a treasure trove of four hundred years…
Meet talking rocks, find sunken trinkets and explore quarry portals at Signal Film and Media's next…
Public toilets adjacent to the car park. Pay and display car park with 265 spaces. Open 7 days a…
Rising at the head of Langdale, Bowfell is a beautiful conical peak that has commanding views all…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
The full Harvest moon shines bright in the sky, giving light for the gathering of crops. This…
An enjoyable mountain bike ride on gravel and stony tracks with views across the Langdale Pikes and…
A charity fun run and 10k event around the picturesque town of Appleby
A fabulous traditional inn at the heart of the picturesque village of Pooley Bridge, next to Lake…
LOW MOOR HEAD CL is a National award winning Caravan & Motorhome Club Certificated Location (CL on…
Long Stay Car Park with 253 spaces, 6 disabled spaces and 4 coach bays. Public toilets adjacent to…
Pay & Display. (NT members free) with 40 spaces. A great parking spot for a riverside amble or…
Create your own beautiful jewellery with Sterling Silver, Pearls and Semi-Precious Stones On this…
Located in the car park of Morrison's supermarket. Recycle tins and cans, glass, paper and…
• 5 Star Gold Rated Barn Conversion for 2 • Idyllic riverside location • Secluded gardens • Views…
Arragons Cycle Centre is run by Phil & Sarah with the help of a dedicated team of Sales Staff and…
Recycle glass, cans, plastics, textiles, paper and card at this site.
Windermere Ferry takes people, vehicles, horses and cycles across the lake. It links the busy…
The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse's early rise to fame and the making of her ground breaking…
Discover the turbulent maritime history of Cumbria’s stunning west coast just an hour’s drive from…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
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