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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…
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an impressive…
Brantwood, the former home of eminent Victorian John Ruskin and a treasure house of art and…
Kendal Museum is one of the oldest museums in the UK, founded in 1796 by William Todhunter. The…
Welcome to Lakeland's oldest, longest and most scenic railway! La'aL Ratty, the little Cumbrian…
Three circles and nine small cairns. The south circle is 104' across, the north-west is 72' with a…
Windermere Jetty Museum is a vibrant, family-friendly visitor attraction dedicated to the boats,…
Double Circle of stones surrounding cremations in urns (removed). 'Platform' cairn, small barrows,…
Beatrix Potter's iconic house, full of her personal possessions, with traditional cottage garden.…
The present circle of 10 standing stones, 80' diameter, was restored in 1949. The stone circle is…
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…
Peaceful and inspiring Buddhist Temple, amazing Romantic Gothic mansion, relaxing café, gift shop…
We are an independent brewery & distillery, proudly part of the Grasmere community. We make drinks…
A visit to Dove Cottage today transports you back to this remarkable period of ‘plain living and…
Located in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica…
A playful environment filled with vibrant colours, ambient sounds and digital creatures, inspired…
Originally know as Sunkenkirk, consists of 50 stones at the foot of Black Combe. Access is via a…
This ‘hidden gem’ is the earliest known surviving example of a small English parish church designed…
A 'very remarkable building with windows glowing with gemstone colours', according to architectural…
A beautiful Norman church on site of 7th century monastery in peaceful Lakeland location and home…
According to architectural historian Nicholas Pevsner, this is ‘the stateliest church of its time…
Entered from the Market Square through handsome cloisters built in 1810, the parish church stands…
The mainly 15thC remains of a castle begun by Bishop Strickland of Carlisle and developed by the…
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 101 to 119.
Millom
Remnants of five stone circles and two possible stone avenues, circles range from 14' to 60', one of them having contained a cremation.
Penrith
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, visitors to Dalemain will discover a fascinating combination of history, architecture and family which is both a Cumbrian and national story. Dalemain is an award-winning delight and is part of the UNESCO World…
Coniston
Meet Coniston's heroes, John Ruskin, artist, radical and seer and Donald Campbell, speed ace. View the fully restored Bluebird craft in the Bluebird wing of the museum. Discover the mineral wealth of the fells, all at 'the most thought provoking…
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
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.
Nr Kendal
This imposing house stands proud at the gateway to the Lake District. Its rich and beautiful garden includes a pond, lake, a national collection of hardy ferns and a superb limestone rock garden. Sizergh Castle is a medieval house with Tudor…
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1572 reviewsHexham
Hadrian's Wall is a spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England.
Cockermouth
A unique and special cafe experience on board the replica Orient Express train and restored station buildings, with a level-access path along the former platform and through woodland teeming with wildlife. Serving interesting and fresh cafe food,…
Whitehaven
Imagine leaving the heart of Whitehaven's historic port and being taken back in time to an exotic tropical island's rainforest in the Caribbean, that is just the start of your great adventure in The Rum Story.
Ulverston
Steam trains running a seasonal daily service from Haverthwaite to Lakeside via the Leven valley. Licensed tea room, gift shop, engine shed, picnic area & playground.
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Situated in the quaint Lake District Village of Hawkshead, the boys Grammar School gives insight into school life ever since it opened in 1585. William Wordsworth also attended the school from age 9 to 17 with his brothers.
Finsthwaite, Lakeside
Nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere, this extensive working mill was begun in 1835 and produced millions of wooden bobbins, vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries.
Middlegate, Penrith
Penrith and Eden Museum is an Accredited Museum, which aims to collect, preserve and display material reflecting the history and culture of the Penrith and Eden district.
Cumbria
Early 13thC castle, formidable barrier for Scots invaders, restored by the indomitable Lady Anne Clifford.
Brampton
Standing close to Hadrian's Wall, this beautiful 13C church stands to its full height and remains remarkably well-preserved.
Ambleside
Dating back to the 17th century, this unique building stands over Stock Beck in the middle of Ambleside as a quirky reminder of Ambleside’s past.
Rowrah
Situated on the western coast in the rural village of Rowrah, our beer is brewed with quality and consistency championing the highest quality of malts, whole cone hops and Lake District water, our in house yeast strain derived from traditional…
W Walls, Carlisle
Nestled in the historic heart of Carlisle, within the iconic Twisted Wheel nightclub, West Walls Brewing Co. is not just Cumbria’s first city-centre microbrewery — it’s a revolution in local craft beer. Our venue blends rich history with a fresh,…
Kingstown Industrial Estate, Carlisle
Carlisle Brewing Co is a small, family-run brewery based in Cumbria's capital city. We make beer because we simply love it - real ale is awesome! We've spent more years than we care to remember drinking real ale of all styles and flavours.
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