Cumbria

Breath-taking beauty, spectacular scenery of mountains, valleys, lakes and rolling countryside. With a turbulent history of Romans, Vikings, Normans and Scots.

At the heart of the region is the Lake District World Heritage Site and National Park. William Wordsworth described the area as “The loveliest spot that man hath ever found”. This glorious setting also shields a history of Roman occupation, Anglo/Scots border warfare and a land of myths and legends. Add its unique Agricultural Heritage and understand why it inspired poets, artist and writers. Whether your interests are in the Lake Poets, Historic Houses, Gardens, ancient castles, picturesque villages, bustling market towns, stunning scenery or its wealth of literary and artistic inspirations – your choice is endless – they are all here and more.

Carlisle, once a Roman town and fort and a great border city is the capital of the Region.

A few itinerary ideas

  • Carlisle and the Borderlands

    Historic Carlisle, the great “Border City” capital of Cumbria and close to the Scots border, offers a marvellous visitor experience, with unique heritage a busy, vibrant, cosmopolitan city and art and cultural facilities. The Castle, Cathedral and Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery are the city’s main visitor attractions. Gretna Green, just over the border into Scotland, is worth visiting for the World-Famous Old Blacksmiths shop and visitor centre. Roman history can be explored in Tullie House and nearby sections of the World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall.

  • The North Lakes Tour inc. Keswick

    Enjoy the delights of the village of Caldbeck, where famous huntsman John Peel is buried, plus Priests Mill for local crafts. The stunning scenery of Caldbeck Commons and The Lakeland Fells can be enjoyed en-route via Bassenthwaite Lake, to Keswick the main market town of the area. Famous for pencil making, mining and wool trade in the past, writers such as Thomas Gray, Coleridge and Southey were residents. Located on the shores of Derwentwater, the natural beauty of the area is breath-taking.

  • Windermere/Ambleside/Rydal/Grasmere

    Mankind and Nature combined to make this famous picturesque landscape, and there is evidence of Roman, Viking and Norman occupation. The wool trade brought great wealth to the area and the scenic splendour inspired poets and artists such as William Wordsworth and John Ruskin. Windermere and Ambleside are the main tourist towns with Grasmere Village and the little gem of Rydal Water adding to the areas stunning attraction. In such a small geographical area there is a vast range of natural beauty, historical and cultural heritage and beautiful towns and villages to enjoy. William Wordsworth lived at Dove Cottage and the family are buried in Grasmere St. Oswald’s Churchyard. Ambleside has the Armitt Museum and Windermere is where Beatrix Potter World is located.

  • Cumbria’s Western Lakes and Coast

    The Western lakes and fells provide a breath-taking backdrop for the dramatic coastline of beaches, cliffs, coastal towns and harbours. The Romans were among the first visitors and you can see the evidence at Ravenglass, Hardknott and the Senhouse Museum at Maryport. The port of Whitehaven has great links with John Paul Jones, the founder of the American Navy who attempted to invade the mainland. The town is a perfect example of a Georgian planned town development.

  • The Lake District Peninsulas including Cartmel

    The Lake District Peninsulas are an area with many religious connections. Early settlers cultivated the fertile Furness and Cartmel Peninsulas. Christian Heritage can be found at Furness Abbey and Cartmel’s Norman Priory. The peninsula is also the location of Holker Hall, home of Lord and Lady Cavendish, with its award-winning gardens. The Aquarium of the Lakes, located at the southern tip of Windermere can be combined with a trip on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. The historic and beautiful village of Cartmel is known as the home of the famous “Sticky Toffee Pudding” and Grange-over-Sands is a beautiful Edwardian seaside resort with stunning parks and gardens overlooking the sands of Morecambe Bay.

  • The Eden Valley and The North Pennines

    The beautiful Eden Valley has many prehistoric remains of burial mounds and stone circles. The river Eden flows through an area of red sandstone, making the area rich in agricultural heritage and giving the villages their distinct appearance. It is a green and sheltered valley which along with Ullswater and the unspoilt North Pennines scenery provide an ideal location for rest and relaxation. Historic Appleby offers a fascinating castle and bustling market place and the market town of Kirkby Stephen lies at the head of the valley. There are many delightful villages such as Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, Patterdale and also Alston in the North Pennines, the highest market town in England.

Cumbria
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