FAMILY DAYS OUT • ALL WEATHER ATTRACTIONS • WHAT’S ON LAKE DISTRICT & CUMBRIA GREAT HERITAGE 2019 CASTLES, HISTORIC HOUSES, GARDENS & CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk Welcome to Cumbria’s Living Heritage Cumbria’s Living Heritage brings you an exclusive collection of over 30 unique attractions, great houses, castles, gardens and cultural destinations in and around the Lake District, a World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO for its unique cultural landscape. Dive into Cumbria’s heritage to discover more about the places and people who have shaped our cultural heritage, visit new places, uncover family treasures, hear fascinating stories, find inspiration or simply relish the beauty of your surroundings. We hope that our stunning landscapes will inspire you like it has so many people over the centuries, poet William Wordsworth, children’s favourite Arthur Ransome, artist JMW Turner, adventurer Donald Campbell, walker Alfred Wainwright and conservationist Beatrix Potter, have all drawn inspiration from our valleys, fells and mountains. This year we celebrate John Ruskin’s 200th anniversary. Writer, artist, social critic, celebrity, and one of the greatest visionaries of the 19th Century, John Ruskin continues to influence our lives today. Artists, craft-makers, poets and film-makers still find inspiration here, and their work can be enjoyed at many exhibitions and events. Take a look at our website, www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk, for suggestions for days out with the family, places and exhibitions to learn more about our historical and contemporary heroes, dog-friendly attractions and a list of attractions that have a restaurant or café, where you can enjoy some local food, home-baked treats and stunning views. Free Parking Enjoy more as a group Dogs welcome on leads There are many ways to experience Cumbria’s rich living heritage. We Assistance dogs only hope that this guide will help you Plant sales to find the ideal fit for you and your Children’s playground group. Our attraction’s websites are packed with inspiration and Family friendly events vital information to help you plan Tearoom a perfect day out - and if you need any special arrangements then call Gift shop them - they will be happy to help. Group visits Facilities for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility Facilities for those with visual impairments Facilities for those with auditory impairments Attractions are either fully open or have reduced opening times during winter months. Please check opening times in advance. Levens Hall and Garden Front cover images courtesy of Brantwood, Ruskin Museum, National Trust, English Heritage, Lake District National Park. 2 Armitt Museum and Library Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA22 9BL Tel: 015394 31212 www.armitt.com Map Ref 3 Today the Armitt presents a permanent exhibition devoted to OPENING TIMES its greatest benefactor, Beatrix 1 Apr – 31 Oct, Tues – Sat Potter. ‘Image and Reality’ reaches 10am- 5pm beyond the popular image to her 1 Nov- 31 Mar, Tues – Sat extraordinary life and achievements. 10.30am – 4.30pm Kurt Schwitters, the German modernist, lived and worked in DIRECTIONS Ambleside. One of the most influential artists of the twentieth-century, Situated at the northern our collection of his work is of end of Ambleside, just past international importance. the mini roundabout at the bottom of the Kirkstone Pass Road. At the heart of the Armitt is its antiquarian and local history library, There is a pay and display which also hosts other important car parks across the Founded by poets, artists and writers, the collections including that of the Fell road and on the adjacent Armitt is a unique combination of museum, and Rock Climbing Club and the University of Cumbria library and gallery devoted to preserving Cumberland and Westmorland Dialect Ambleside Campus. and sharing the cultural heritage of the Society. The Armitt is truly one of the Lake District. rarest treasures of the Lakes. Reg. Charity 526975 Askham Hall Askham, Penrith, CA10 2PF Tel: 01931 712350 www.askhamhall.co.uk Map Ref 4 Askham Hall is a rare Grade 1 listed Pele Tower and a multi award- OPENING TIMES winning Lake District hideaway. Gardens and Café: every day We can offer an intimate, luxurious (except Sat) 10am – 5pm during spring and summer. place to relax and stay with 18 After Oct half term: Fri & individually designed bedrooms, a Sun, 11am – 4pm. Closed 9 restaurant, party spaces, beautiful Dec - mid-Feb, then Fri and gardens and a spa. Sun 11am – 4pm until Easter We grow and rear much of our own holidays. Restaurant and produce in our gardens and fields accommodation available at Askham Hall itself and on our Tue – Sat for dinner and family estate – the Lowther Estate in overnight stays. Groups can stay any day. Cumbria. Enjoy the stunning views of the River Lowther and surrounding area. DIRECTIONS The grade II listed gardens are Situated in a quiet and open to the public and full of picturesque village within easy access (about ten stunning features; visitors can also minutes drive) from Penrith enjoy something delicious in the and junction 40 of the M6. atmospheric Kitchen Garden Café. 3 Blackwell, The Arts & Crafts House Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3JT Tel: 015394 46139 www.blackwell.org.uk Map Ref 7 A very modern historic house. One of the best examples of the Arts OPENING TIMES & Crafts Movement in the world. You Open Daily 10.30am – 5pm are invited into this stunning house to (closing 4pm Nov – end relax and soak up the atmosphere and Feb). magnificent lake views. See original Closed 25 & 26 Dec. features, furniture and objects by leading Arts & Crafts designers, learn about the people who made Blackwell DIRECTIONS their home and meet the Holt family through digital augmented realities. Just off the A5074 (Lyth Valley Road) on the B5360. Spend as long as you like enjoying the GPS Location N54°20.572, house and leave time to treat yourself W2°55.31 to lunch or cake in the Tea Room and to browse the contemporary craft shop, which showcases the very best Culture & Heritage of British craftsmanship. Parking is Experience Award free – so there is no need to rush. Brantwood: John Ruskin’s home East of Lake, Coniston, LA21 8AD Tel: 015394 41396 www.brantwood.org.uk Map Ref 8 KidsKids gogofreefree Brantwood is celebrating the bicentenary of Ruskin’s birth with OPENING TIMES exhibitions and events to promote a Open all year. wider understanding of his work. Mid Mar - mid Nov, daily 10.30am - 5pm. One of the most beautifully situated Mid Nov - mid Mar, houses in the country, Brantwood is Wed - Sun 10.30am - 4pm. both a vibrant centre for the arts and a historic house. DIRECTIONS The house overlooks Coniston Water On east shore of Coniston amid 250 acres of gardens designed Water. Off B5285. and built by Ruskin himself. You can Brown signs from take in the mountain views from the Hawkshead and Coniston. house and The Terrace Coffee House Also via bus, connecting and Restaurant. with Coniston Launch and The Gondola at Coniston jetty to Brantwood jetty. Children’s house and garden trails available during the holidays. Always a friendly welcome to dogs in the gardens and at The Terrace. 4 Heritage gardens Set amongst 10 acres of beautiful historic listed gardens, with exclusive lake shore access, Brockhole on Windermere provides an unrivalled Lake District experience. The Gaddum Explore Thomas Mawson’s gardens at your leisure or on a guided tour and visit the Gaddum Gallery with its exhibitions by selected Cumbrian artists. Make time for “The best Afternoon Tea in The Lake District” in the beautifully styled Arts & Crafts Gaddum Restaurant. AFTERNOON TEAS AS STUNNING AS THE WINDERMERE VIEWS TASTE MAGAZINE There are always plenty of activities for all the family, inside and out, Gaddum gallery all year round. Visit our website to find out more and plan your visit brockhole.co.uk 015394 46601 LA23 1LJ Map Ref 9 Brockhole is on the A591 between Windermere and Ambleside 5 Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens Dalemain, Penrith, CA11 0HB Tel: 017684 86450 www.dalemain.com Map Ref 12 KidsKids gogofreefree Home to the Hasell family since 1679, Dalemain is a wonderful OPENING TIMES combination of history, culture & 7 April – 27 Oct, Sun – Thurs. landscape. The house boasts a fine Gardens, Tearoom & Gift Shop: mixture of Mediaeval, Tudor & early 10am – 4.30pm Georgian architecture and is home (4pm in Oct). to the World’s Original Marmalade House: 10.30am – 3.30pm Festival. The Gardens encompass 5 (3pm in Oct). acres of richly planted borders with See website for Friday garden intriguing & unusual combinations openings, winter openings and of flowers and shrubs. Highlights specialist tours. include the Blue Himalayan Poppies, Rose Walk, Ancient Apple Trees, DIRECTIONS Tudor Knot Garden, Earth Sculpture, Spiral Garden and Topiary Dragon. On the A592 Penrith to Enjoy homemade food served in Ullswater, 3 Miles from J40/ the Mediaeval Hall Tearoom, Historic M6, at Penrith or 2 Miles from Ullswater at Pooley Parkland, Museum, Gift & Antiques Bridge. Shop, Plant Sales, Special Events & Group Bookings. Free Parking. Historic Houses/Christie’s Garden of the Year, 2013. Dove Cottage: Wordsworth’s home at Grasmere Grasmere, LA22 9SH Tel: 015394 35544 www.wordsworth.org.uk Map Ref 13 KidsKgogoids Wordsworth returned to his native freefree Lake District in 1799. He made a OPENING TIMES home with his sister Dorothy in a The Wordsworth Museum will humble cottage on the edge of be closed for refurbishment Grasmere village. He described his throughout 2019 reopening new home and the garden that in 2020. surrounded it as “the loveliest spot Dove Cottage will be open that man hath ever found”. It fed his for tours during part of 2019: inspiration.