You are here: Home > Explore Cumbria > Cumbrian Churches > Churches of The Western Lakes & Coast
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:
Electric bike charging point, located at Cyclewise, Cockermouth. A donation to Mountain Rescue is…
Stickle Ghyll is a fantastic ascent of a gorge in the Langdale valley. The location is stunning and…
Welcome to our Glamping Pod Holidays. We have a selection of Glamping Pods available, some of which…
Sun, Wind or Rain this is the favourite activity for visitors to Newlands. Ghyll Scrambling is a…
Kendal Caravans is situated in the Lake District National Park and serves the whole of Cumbria,…
On the Brathay river behind Skelwith Bridge Hotel. 16ft drop
Following the success of Crime Viral's sell out UK serial killer tour - research psychologist and…
Considering its unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of…
Situated on what was once the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line, Bassenthwaite Lake…
Join us at The Beacon Portal for a beginners half day glass fusing course. Learn a new skill and…
The family run Lamplighter Dining Rooms offers the very best in accommodation in the Lake District.
Bring the whole family and join in a free and easy day of fun with balance bikes, volleyball,…
Self-catering may not be an obvious choice for a small business meeting or training event. But at…
The Cumbria Grand Hotel offers two great places to eat – The Hazelwood Restaurant and The Jacobean…
Fell Foot For All is a day of activities championing accessibility to the outdoors for…
A choice of self-catering accommodation, owned and operated by the Heath Family. The award-winning…
Harter Fell might be small but it's perfectly formed and it's situated in a stunning position. It…
Enjoy a walking tour of Hawkshead with a Cumbria Blue Badge Guide to uncover the secrets of the…
Nestled in the heart of the English Lake District Victorian House provides the perfect antidote to…
Buses to and through Windermere: Coniston Rambler 505 Windermere - Ambleside - Hawkshead -…
Tailor made self guided, walking, cycling and touring holidays with luxury and classic…
Welcome to a Spring Concert performed by the The Amici Singers & The Ensemble of Friends! Join us…
From Keswick: Take the A66 west towards Cockermouth. At Braithwaite turn west onto the B5292 for…
E-bike hire covering the Morecambe Bay and South Lakes area. A brand-new way to explore the…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL