Grasmere

Parts of St Oswald's Church date from the 13th century and its striking interior is thought to be unique. Wordsworth and his wife are buried beneath one of the eight yew trees planted in the churchyard.

Hill Top Farm, Near Sawry

The National Trust describes Hill Top, on the banks of Lake Windermere, as a Beatrix Potter time capsule. It's a wonderful experience as you step back in time to 1914. The garden is also a great attraction, with its flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables.

Dalmain House & Gardens, Penrith

Historic country house and gardens near Ullswater. Described as one of the most beautiful stately homes in the north west, the pink stone of its Georgian façade glows wonderfully in the Lakeland sunshine. Dalemain includes an extensive award-winning garden with plants including a Greek fir. Follow an estate walk with afternoon tea in the Tudor Barn Tearooms.

Heaton Cooper Studio, Grasmere

Alfred and William Heaton-Cooper remain amongst England’s favourite landscape painters of the past century. Originals by these masters; fine art prints of these and works by the current generation of this dynasty (painting, sculpture, ceramics) are displayed and may be purchased at the Grasmere gallery that also exhibits some of the classic works. Art shop and excellent cafe too.

Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness

One of the wealthiest abbeys in England, the substantial sandstone ruins slumber in the Vale of Nightshade near the southern tip of the Furness Peninsula. An exhibition and museum detail the history of the foundation and the life of the Cistercian monks whose order grew rich on wool. Easy walks meander through woods up to the nearby limestone plateau and views across Morecambe Bay.

Swinside Stone Circle, Millom

A fabulous Neolithic monument in an incredible setting below Black Combe. One of the largest stone circles in Britain, the walk up from the hamlet of The Green will find you in the company of few other people; this really is undiscovered Lakeland at its best.

Acorn Banks Gardens, Temple Sowerby

In the foothills of the Pennines, with views towards the Eden Valley, this delightful tranquil sheltered garden is known for its herbs and orchards with old English fruit varieties and 250 medicinal and culinary herbs; there’s a fine house (with cafe) and a lovely, partially restored watermill to explore, and ancient oaks surround the high enclosed garden walls.

Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith

This extraordinary historic home of Lord and Lady Inglewood is surrounded by a medieval forest; legend has it that it’s the Green Knight castle of Sir Gawain and the Green Knights legend. The beautiful interior is by William Morris and includes furniture, ceramics, tapestry, and portraits. The Arts & Crafts theme is continued in the gardens, with magnificent topiary, a delightful walled garden and dovecote.

Brantwood, Coniston

Said to be the most idyllically-sited house in the Lake District, the spirit of former owner John Ruskin rests easy at this stylish period house above the eastern shore of Coniston Water. His social, environmental and artistic philosophies and beliefs are reflected in the house and gardens, whilst contemporary works add a modern veneer in an art studio here. Admire the sublime lake and fell views from the cafe terrace.

Holker Hall & Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel

This Victorian mansion nestles in 25 acres brimming with a fascinating mix of traditional and modern garden design. Water features strongly, with eye-catching cascade and fountain amidst countless rare shrubs and plants amassed by the Cavendish family; the contemporary Labyrinth was designed by the current Lady Cavendish. The house, with its eclectic mix of furnishings and paintings, repays a lingering visit. Courtyard Cafe.

Fairfield Mill Craft Gallery, Sedbergh

At the foot of the Howgill Fells, a gallery of craft artisans and artists with open studios displaying a selection of work; many accept bespoke commissions. Silversmiths, potters, weavers and contemporary furniture makers are a few of the artists to discuss their works with. The Mill also contains galleries with exhibitions of work from throughout Britain, and there's a great little cafe.

Blackwell, Bowness-on-Windermere

A soaring, shapely homage to the Arts and Crafts movement, built for a wealthy merchant on a prime site overlooking Windermere. Beneath the gabled slate roof and round chimney stacks, painstaking restoration and eclectic collecting delivers exquisite Arts and Crafts design, from furniture to decorative arts and wall-coverings, stained glass and locally-inspired creations.

Dove Cottage, Grasmere

Once the home of England’s favourite poet; discover Wordsworth’s radical and creative life in the new (2021) museum and enjoy breathtaking views from a unique viewing platform. His later home, Rydal Mount, is nearby. It is also ideally located to indulge in the poet’s other great passion – walking. A memorable and easy trek is one around tranquil Grasmere, rising gently along Loughrigg Terrace, giving outstanding views.

Levens Hall, Kendal

The art of the topiarist is explored to the full here in the most extraordinary and varied display of clipped and cosseted box and beech in the country, from geometric forms to shades-of Henry Moore sculpture. Cedars shade the beautiful Elizabethan house, itself graced by rooms with memorable plasterwork and bizarre Cordova leather wall-coverings and remarkable period furnishings. Delicious lunches and teas in Levens Kitchen.

Castlerigg Stone Circle, Keswick

Dating back more than 5,000-years, this is the best preserved of all the stone circles in Cumbria and stands on a low hill some 200 metres above Keswick with great views to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonscale Fell.

Ribblehead Viaduct, Carnforth

This can be taken in on a trip into the Yorkshire Dales and is the most impressive structure on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. Hundreds of railway builders – ‘navvies’ - lost their lives building the line, from a combination of accidents, fights, and smallpox outbreaks. The viaduct with its 24 massive stone arches 104 feet above the moor, caused such loss of life that the railway paid for an expansion of the local graveyard.

Townend, Troutbeck

This 17th-century stone and slate house is one of the finest examples of a ‘statesman’ farmer’s house in Cumbria. Perfectly preserved, it was home to the Browne family for 300 years and you can see the original homemade carved furniture, books, paperwork and fascinating domestic utensils.

Hadrian's Wall - Birdoswald

A lonely outpost on Rome’s northern border, the 5-acre fort at Birdoswald is one of the major sites on Hadrian’s Wall; a well-preserved stretch leads to one of the milecastles, at Harrow Scar. The visitor centre at Birdoswald puts the remains in context. Nearby is Lanercost Priory, a combination of parish church and medieval ruined Augustinian foundation.

Rydal Mount & Gardens

Overlooking mountains and Rydal Water, the family home of William Wodsworth from 1813 until his death in 1850 contains important family portraits, furniture and many of the poet’s personal possessions, together with first editions of his work. Stroll through the gardens – see the spring daffodils or take an exclusive evening tour.

Brougham Hall, Penrith

Brougham Hall, just a mile south of Penrith, was built in the 14th century and has a fascinating history. Rescued from dereliction in 1985, today it is one of the largest country house restoration projects in England and is home to an array of arts and craft workshops and businesses. Browse the galleries/workshops and enjoy coffee and cake in Cafe 4 Eden.

Rheged Centre, Redhills, Penrith

This is Europe’s largest grass covered building – it’s a dramatic, contemporary setting for exhibitions, talks and workshops and an Imax screen showing films. A food hall, fabulous café and great shops here too, selling hand-made chocolates, arts & crafts, books, and outdoor clothing.

Coniston & Ruskin Museum

Picturesque village of whitewashed cottages nestling at the tip of magnificent Coniston Water, below the renowned peak of the Old Man of Coniston. Notable features of this former mining settlement include Coniston Old Hall (National Trust). At the Ruskin Museum, learn the story of Donald Campbell who was killed in Bluebird attempting the break the world water-speed record on Coniston Water in 1967.

Cartmel Priory

Magnificent priory church, founded in 1188, featuring superb stained glass and choir stalls carved with strange creatures. The 14th-century gatehouse was once part of a priory.

St Anthony's Church, Cartmel Fell

Elusive and lonely, this 16th-century fell-side church was built originally built for the herdsman and tenants of Cartmel Priory - lookout for the church sign just south of the Masons Arms pub. Worth finding to see the beautiful east window, the three-decker pulpit, the quaint epitaph to Betty Poole, and the stunning hill country location.

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Last updated: 19/03/21