Places to Visit and Days out in Cumbria
Lake District National Park
The beautiful Lake District National Park occupies
the very the heart of Cumbria. It attracts millions
of visitors every year, who come to walk along its
rugged peaks and view the stunning lakeside scenery.
The Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Lake Windermere is an ideal place to start your journey around this national beauty spot. In the grounds are 30 acres of award winning gardens and grounds, plus an adventure playground. Information centre with interactive exhibits, information on lake cruises, walks, trails and activities.
Opening times: Apr~Oct, daily 10am to 4/5pm - Free Entry
Location: Windermere LA23 1LJ
Tel: 015394 46601
Website: brockhole.co.uk
Bowder Stone
A popular and unusual tourist attraction near Derwentwater and the River Derwent. This large block of stone, perched on one corner, was brought down by a melting glacier at the end of the Ice Age. A small ladder has been provided to allow tourists to ascend to the top.
Location: Borrowdale,
Keswick. Grid reference NY25401639 (nearest postcode
CA12 5XA)
Image Credit: Rob Farrow (CC2)
Carlisle Castle
Built by William Rufus in 1092. Substantial remains include the main gate, Queen Mary's tower and the central keep. For more information see the City of Carlisle.
Carlisle Cathedral
Built
between the 11th and the 15th centuries. It is one
of the smallest and most battle-scarred cathedrals
in England. For more information see the City
of Carlisle.
Dalemain Mansion & Historic Gardens
This impressive Georgian stone facade hides a much older Elizabethan mansion built by Edward Hasell in the mid-18th century. Which in turn was build over the site of an even older Saxon hall. One of the loveliest stately homes in the north west. The Grade I listed property is a real joy to visit, with good number of grand public rooms filled with fine art and furnishings, and winding passages that lead to more unusual rooms that will excite the curious. The pride of Dalemain is its delightful gardens, containing many rare and unusual plants, including a collection of over 100 old-fashioned roses. Also home to the World's Original Marmalade Awards, held here annually in March.
Opening times: Sun
to Thur, 10am to 4pm - Admission
Charge
Location: Estate Office, Dalemain,
Penrith CA11 0HB
Tel: 017684 86450
Website: dalemain.com
Image Credit: Geoff
Gill (CC2)
Dove Cottage - Wordsworth Trust
Home of William Wordsworth from 1799 to 1808. It was Wordsworth's first family home, initially with his sister Dorothy and later from 1802 with his wife Mary. It is now a museum and art gallery.
Opening times: daily,
9.30am to 5.30pm (10am to 4.30 winter) - Admission
Charge
Location: Grasmere, Ambleside LA22
9SH
Tel: 015394 35544
Website: wordsworth.org.uk
Image Credit: Jo Turner (CC2
Egremont Castle
Located in the town of Egremont, Cumbria. Built by William de Meschines in the 12th-c, on the site of an earlier Norman defensive mound above the River Ehen. Part of the defensive wall and the gatehouse still remain. The windowed wall (shown here) the end of the outer bailey was part of the Great Hall.
Opening times: any
reasonable time - Free Access
Website: visitcumbria.com
Furness Abbey
Located in a secluded valley, Cumbria's largest monastic ruin is a pleasing reddish sandstone ruin. Founded in 1123 by Count Stephen (later King Stephen), it was second only in importance to Fountains Abbey during the Middle Ages. Enough of the monastic buildings survive to provide an idea of its original layout and scale. A small museum provides a fascinating overview of monastic life at Furness.
Opening times: time
vary, see website for details - Admission
Charge
Location: Manor Rd, Barrow-in-Furness
LA13 0PJ
Website: english-heritage.org.uk - Run by English Heritage.
Image Credit: sagesolar (CC0)
Hadrian's Wall
AD
121 marked the beginning of the construction of Emperor
Hadrian's great wall that stretches right across northern
Britain. It formed the boundary
between Roman England and the heathen
Scots. Now designated as a world heritage site, vast
sections of the wall still survive including the remains
of many mile forts and several larger fortresses such
as Housesteads near Hexham.
Opening times: any
reasonable time - Free Access
Location: runs parallel to the A69,
between Newcastle and Carlisle, where several places
of access are
available.
Tel: 0370 333 1181
Website: english-heritage.org.uk
Holker Hall & Gardens
Built in the 17th-c, this elegant stately home was the former residence of the Cavendish family. An impressive blend of Georgian and Victorian architecture. Set in 25 acres of award winning gardens laid out by the 7th Duke of Devonshire, with a mixture of formal and informal planting. Fallow deer roam the surrounding parklands.
Opening times: Wed
to Sun, 10.30am to 5pm - Admission
Charge
Location: Cark, Grange-over-Sands
LA11 7PL
Tel: 015395 58328
Website: holker.co.uk
Lanercost Priory
Founded in 1169 for Augustinian canons. Most of the priory buildings are now in ruins, set amid green pastures in the Irthing valley. The church's north aisle is the main survivor and served as a parish church until the nave was restored in the 18th-c. The north aisle's windows have stained glass by William Morris and Sir Edward Burne-Jones. The priory has a turbulent past and was attacked many times during the Anglo-Scottish wars. The picturesque ruins are approached over a Tudor bridge crossing the River Irthing.
Opening times: Sat
& Sun, 10am to 4pm - Admission
Charge
Location: Lanercost, Brampton CA8
2HQ
Website: english-heritage.org.uk -
Run by English Heritage.
Image Credit: sagesolar (CC0)
Levens Hall
One
of Cumbria's loveliest stately homes. Originally built
as a medieval refuge tower against the Scots, it was
converted into a mansion around 1586 by wealthy
landowner James Bellingham. It is filled with
elaborate Italianate plasterwork ceilings and intricately
carved oak paneled walls. The parlour is lined with
Spanish Cordoba Leather panels, painted
with exotic birds, flowers and fruit.
The finest collection of leather wall paneling in Europe.
This fine Elizabethan mansion, is also renowned worldwide for its ornate gardens, containing very fine topiary. The extensive gardens were laid out between 1689 and 1700.
Opening times: Sun
to Thurs, 10am to 5pm - Admission
Charge
Location: Levens Hall, Kendal LA8
0PD
Tel: 015395 60321
Website: levenshall.co.uk
Naworth Castle
Built by Ranulph Dacre in 1335 as one of the great Scottish border strongholds. The site has been ancestral home of the Earl of Carlisle since Lord William Howard turned the stronghold into a mansion during the 17th-c. Two stone towers flank each end of battlemented walls, overlooking a fine gatehouse. The castle was used as the setting by Sir Walter Scott for his 'The Lay of the Last Minstrel'.
Opening times: Private
guided tours, events and filming only
Location: Brampton, Cumbria CA8 2HF
Tel: 016977 3229
Website: naworth.co.uk
Image Credit: Peter McDermott (CC2)
Sizergh Castle
This grey stone fortress has been in the Strickland family for over 700 years. A peel tower was built around 1350 to defend against Scottish raiders. A medieval house was added later, followed by a cluster of further buildings over the following centuries, which now form a rectangular courtyard. The peel tower is easily recognisable, with its turret rising above the castellated parapet. Several rooms have Elizabethan floor to ceiling oak panelling. The top floor of the tower contains a museum. Portraits of the Stuart royal family are on display, plus a collection of Stuart and Jacobean relics. The estate covers some 1500 acres and includes fine gardens.
Opening times: times
vary, see website for details - Admission
Charge
Location: Sizergh, Kendal LA8 8DZ
Tel: 015395 60951 -
Run by National Trust
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
Image Credit: Graham Hogg (CC2)
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Towns and Cities in Cumbria
Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.