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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.
Brougham Hall is a creative haven where you can enjoy the perfect blend of crafts, coffee and…
Imposing and well-preserved turret with adjoining stretches of Hadrian's Wall.
A local landowner, Sarah Losh (1785-1853), designed St Mary's in 1840, partly in memory of her…
The tranquility of St Andrew's church, set on the banks of the river Esk, belies the turbulence of…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house is a rare architectural gem in the heart of the Lake District…
Today, the principal feature is the Goggleby Stone, a 12 ton monolith, which was re-erected in 1975…
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
Make yourself comfortable in the former home of National Trust Founder, Canon Rawnsley. Only…
Raised in circa 3000BC, Castlerigg is perhaps the most atmospheric of all British stone circles…
This area is rich in prehistoric remains including a standing stone, stone circle and cairns. Moor…
Situated on Whitehaven's attractive harbour side, The Beacon is home to interactive science, games…
Dominating the Lake District Coast where the mountains tumble into the sea and bursting with…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
Striking in its symmetry with its central round headed doorway between by matching round headed…
Situated in the beautiful valley of Dentdale, Cumbria yet within the boundary of the Yorkshire…
The priory is one of the architectural jewels in Cumbria and well worth a visit. This beautiful and…
Caught in the Anglo Scottish wars of the 14th century, a good bit of luck followed the Dissolution…
12th century Norman church, built with stones from Hadrian’s Wall and where King Edward I…
Second largest circle in England - 360' diameter. Long Meg is an outlying stone and is decorated…
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
Now a ruin, Furness Abbey was once the second most powerful Cistercian monastery in Britain, after…
Birdoswald Roman Fort is the perfect place to see the longest continuous remaining stretch of this…
Steam from the lake shore of Windermere along the heritage track to Haverthwaite Station, where you…
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.
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.
Embleton
The 15 stones, of which the tallest is just under one metre, form an almost perfect circle some 40 metres in diameter. Only 15 stones of the original 30 remain.
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.
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968 reviewsSedbergh
Farfield Mill is a Victorian woollen mill in the Yorkshire Dales. Home to artists’ studios, art exhibitions, heritage looms and tea room.
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247 reviewsAmbleside
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive backdrop of turrets, towers, informal grounds and miles of lakeshore paths.
Ulverston
The Laurel and Hardy Museum celebrates the life and career of Stan Laurel, born in Ulverston.
Penrith
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.
Kendal
A stunning Elizabethan mansion with spectacular interiors and impressive collections of antiques. Also home to the world's oldest topiary gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont, retain many original features. Cafe, Gift Shop and Plant Centre.
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706 reviewsPenrith
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.
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.
Carlisle
Visit Carlisle Cathedral, centrally located in the heart of the city. Whether for worship, events, family activities, refreshments or simply a moment of peace - a warm welcome awaits.
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1650 reviewsPENRITH
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…
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.
Staveley
The beer hall is the Brewery Tap, sampling room, visitors centre and beer shop. it is a fully licensed bar which looks down onto the brew house.
Penrith
Historic house and gardens based on a medieval pele towers with substantial 17th, 18th and 19thC additions. Extensive gardens in woodland setting walled garden, topiary, woodland walk and lake with cascade.
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225 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.
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.
Coniston
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and memorabilia. The 250-acre estate comprises 8 unique gardens, ancient woodland, high moors and meadows.
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.
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