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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.
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight…
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station…
Cautley chapel was built in the early 1860s by the Upton family, when the London and North Western…
St Lawrence's church is a grade I listed building, of late 12th century foundation, rebuilt late…
Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley.…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Set in the heart of Sedbergh in a beautifully maintained churchyard the church, which dates from…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
Right in the heart of Kirkby Lonsdale,the beautiful Norman church sits above the River Lune with…
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display…
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of the Heart…
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne…
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of…
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic…
Brigflatts, near Sedbergh, Cumbria, is one of the most famous Quaker meeting houses, known and…
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: 119
, currently showing 61 to 80.
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.
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands on the site of a Saxon church and contains many ancient relics.
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.
CARLISLE
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of its past. The church serves the scattered population in the rural parish of Kirkandrews on Esk, once the centre of the historic and lawless Debateable…
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…
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.
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
102 reviewsPenrith
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.
Bowness-on-Windermere
A magical indoor attraction that brings to life all 23 Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit tales. Meet all your favourite characters and find out more about Beatrix Potter herself.
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.
Grasmere
We are an independent brewery & distillery, proudly part of the Grasmere community. We make drinks we like to drink ourselves: refreshing beers & delicious gin. Try everything we make in The Good Sport, our Grasmere tap-room.
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518 reviewsKeswick
The church, dedicated to the Celtic Saint Bega, is situated in a picture perfect setting in fields on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake.
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…
PENRITH
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time in the county’, rebuilt in 1720 on an ancient site
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.
WHITEHAVEN
A fine example of a Georgian church, which has been sympathetically modernised.
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…
Penrith
One mile east of Orton is the ancient Gamelands stone circle. One of the largest in Cumbria, all of its stones have fallen over so none are higher than one yard but they are 100 yards in circumference.
Keswick
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago.
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…
Keswick
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles with the mountain of Helvellyn as a dramatic backdrop.
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