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Historic houses and gardens in the Lake District

The Lake District was transformed by the romantic movement and helped inspire some of the best-known arts and crafts artists. Wordsworth, Ruskin, Beatrix Potter and many others have loved this place and made it their home, and you can visit the places that inspired them.

There are also some fascinating Lake District museums and galleries to visit .

Blackwell Historic House

Designed by the famous architect M H Baillie-Scott and completed in 1900, this was a country retreat for a wealthy Manchester industrialist. It’s a perfect example of the ‘Arts and Crafts’ style fashionable at the time, on the cusp between Victorian and modern design. The stunning interior has survived more or less intact. Today, after restoration of the house and garden, Blackwell House and gardens are open to the public with period rooms and exhibition galleries.

Location: South Western Lakes, near Windermere. Grid ref SD400945. 2.5 kilometres (1.6 miles) south of Bowness-on- Windermere.

Muncaster Castle

Muncaster has been owned by the Pennington family since the land was given to their ancestor Alan de Penitone in 1208. It’s grown from a medieval fortified tower-house or ‘pele’ tower, with many additions up to the late nineteenth century. Henry VI sought refuge here during the Wars of the Roses and left a glass drinking-bowl behind, saying if it remained unbroken the Penningtons would thrive. It’s still intact and is known as the ‘Luck of Muncaster’. Muncaster Castle and gardens are open to the public .

Location: Eastern Lakes, near Ravenglass. Grid reference SD103963.2 kilometres (1.25 miles) east of Ravenglass, off A595.

Brantwood House and Gardens

Brantwood was the home of the Victorian intellectual John Ruskin. The house, gardens and estate host many of Ruskin's treasures, along with contemporary exhibitions, concerts, courses and special events.

In the grounds is a reconstructed hut, wth low, circular stone wall. These were huts where bark peelers lived in summer. Their job was to remove bark from oak trees, before the trees were coppiced, to supply local tanneries.   Brantwood House and Gardens are open to the public .

Location: South Westen Lake District, near Coniston. Grid ref SD312958. Brantwood, 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) south east of Coniston or 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) south west of Hawkshead. You can also catch a boat to Brantwood jetty from Coniston Boating Centre .

Mirehouse Historic House

Mirehouse has been a family home since 1688 when its original owner, the Earl of Derby, sold it to his local agent. It was once smaller, but has been added to over the centuries. Wordsworth and other famous poets were regular guests here. The Spedding family still live in the house which they inherited in 1802, and is open to visitors.

Location: Northern Lake Distirct, near Keswick. Grid ref NY232283. On A591, 5 kilometres (3 miles) north of Keswick.

Dalemain Historic House

The Dalemain Estate includes a splendid house, gardens, a deer park and tenant farms. Documents tell us that a fortified ‘pele’ tower stood here in the twelfth century. A spiral staircase is all that survives of this early building. Dalemain became a manor house in Tudor times, and the Georgian façade was added in the mid-eighteenth century. It’s been the home of the Hasell family since 1680. Dalemain house and garden are open to visitors and is on the route of the Ullswater Way

Location: Northern Lake District, near Penrith and Ullswater. Grid ref NY477268. Off A592, 5 kilometres (3 miles) south west of Penrith.

Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's farmhouse home

The farmhouse made famous by the vegetable patch that tempted Peter Rabbit. The house lets you see how Beatrix Potter lived, and her love of the Lake District. It also showcases some of the many 1000's of objects and letters that Beatrix collected over her life. Managed by the National Trust.

Location: Central Lake District, Hawkshead Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF

Townend Farmhouse

This perfectly preserved seventeenth century house gives you a glimpse into the life of a comfortably-off farming family. It was built in 1626 for George Browne, a newly-married ‘statesman’ farmer, whose family continued to live here for over 300 years. The house was extended in the late 1600s, but has hardly changed since that time. It includes some beautiful carved furniture made for the Brownes. Townend is run by the National Trust and is open to visitors .

Location: South Westen Lake District, near Windermere. Grid ref NY406020. Troutbeck, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) north of Windermere.

Lowther Castle and Gardens

Built at the turn of the 19th century, on the site of two previous houses, Lowther Castle had beautiful gardens and a large estate. But in 1957 the castle was demolished. It was left derelict for over 70 years, before an innovative and intriguing renovation have made it into an award winning visitor attraction. Shop, cafés, free car parking and cycle hire make this a full day out. Lowther Castle is also on a loop of the Ullswater Way walking route .

Location: North Lake District, near Penrith. Sat nav postcode: CA10 2HH

Sizergh Castle and gardens

Originally built by the Strickland family in c.1350, and then extended to become a grand Elizabethan residence, the Strickland family are still in residence. It houses an important collection of extremely rare carved oak furniture from the Elizabethan period along with portraits of the family through the years, managed by the National Trust parts of the castle and the gardens are open to visitors .

Location: South Lake District, near Kendal. Sat nav postcode: LA8 8DZ

Rydal Mount House and Gardens

Rydal Mount dates from the 16th Centuary and was William Wordsworth’s best loved family home from 1813 to his death in 1850 at the age of 80. The house continues to be owned by the Wordsworth family and retains the feel of a lived in family home, along with a 5 acre garden still in keeping with how William Wordsworth designed it. Rydal Mount has glorious views of Windermere, Rydal Water and the surrounding fells. Rydal Mount and gardens are open to visitors , but check opening dates before visiting.

Location: Central Lake District, between Ambleside and Grasmere. Sat nav postcode: LA22 9LU

Gaitscale Farmstead

People lived in this farmstead between 1686 and 1771, but by the early nineteenth century it was a ruin. Today you can make out the farmhouse, barns, sheep pens and old field boundaries. The name has Norse origins. Gait means ‘goat’ and scale means ‘shieling’ or seasonal house. This suggests there was a settlement here long before the seventeenth century. Managed by the National Trust, the ruins are free to visit.

Location: Central Lake District, near Ambleside. Grid ref NY255022. 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) west of Ambleside, between Wrynose Pass and Cockley Beck. Limited roadside parking 1.3 kilometres (0.8 miles) west of the pass, then footpath west for 1 kilometre (0.6 mile).

These lonely ruins are the remains of the once-powerful Shap Abbey. Built around 1200, it housed a thriving monastic community. The church, chapter-house and living areas were grouped around a square cloister. Outside are traces of guest rooms, stables, workshops and the Abbey mill. Henry VIII closed the Abbey in 1540 and it slowly decayed. Some of its stone was used to build Shap Market Hall. Managed by English Heritage, Shap Abbey is free to visit.

Location: Western Lake District, near Shap. Grid ref NY548153. Off A6, 1 kilometre (0.6 mile) west of Shap.

Dacre monastery

Stone cross fragments, massive re-used building blocks, and finds from an excavation in the 1980s all suggest there was a monastery here in Anglo-Saxon times. Also the Venerable Bede, writing in 700 AD, refers to a monastery ‘near the river Dacore, from which it took its name’. Look for the cross fragments in the twelfth century parish church, built on the same site.

Location: North Lake District, near Penrith. Grid reference NY460266. On minor road off A66, 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) south west of Penrith. Limited parking in Dacre.

Gosforth Cross and St Mary's Church

This unique Viking cross shows a radical approach to religion. It’s carved with a crucifixion scene and images from Norse mythology, linking the two belief systems. Standing 4.5 metres (15 feet) high, it’s the tallest Viking cross in England. Inside the church are other Viking fragments: two more crosses, two tomb covers and a decorated stone. It’s likely that this was an important site for Christianity in the ninth and tenth centuries.

Location: Western Lake District, near Gosforth. Grid reference NY072035. St Mary’s Church, Gosforth, just off A595.

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The 11 stunning National Trust properties and sites worth visiting in and around Lancashire

Discover these National Trust sites near Lancaster, Preston, Blackpool, the Lake District and more

• 11:10, 27 JUL 2021

Lancashire is blessed with stunning, picturesque countryside.

The county welcomes thousands of visitors every year for staycations and days out, and with the likes of the Lake District and Blackpool promenade being here, it's hardly no surprise.

With the summer holidays now in full swing and the majority of lockdown restrictions ceasing to exist, the county is expected to see the return of even more tourists.

READ MORE: Cafe chain with 'proper coffee and great grub' to open in Preston

Those who choose to come to Lancashire for a break away or for a walk are spoilt for choice.

From Williamson Park in Lancaster to the chocolate-box town of Keswick in the Lake District, Lancashire has many options when it comes to days out.

National Trust is a big part of this, offering over 300 places to visit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The UK conservation charity has three main sites and historical properties here in Lancashire, with nine also available within an hours drive from the county.

We've decided to take a look at some of the National Trust places you can visit in and around the county, what you can do there and why it's worth visiting.

For prices of all the National Trust properties, find out here or to become a National Trust member (which gives you discount on attraction entry fees) visit here.

Gawthorpe Hall

Gawthorpe Hall can be found near Burnley and is described as an Elizabethan gem in the heart of industrial Lancashire.

The hall has a rich history, featuring 17th century panelling in the Drawing Room, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Downton of the North', according to the National Trust website .

Visitors can take a stroll through the formal gardens with views of the river, or take a short ramble through the woodland to enjoy the wildlife.

Inside the hall you can see the Gawthorpe Textile Collection which showcases intricate needlework, lace and costume amassed by Rachel Kay Shuttleworth as well as contemporary pieces from talented artists across the region.

To book a visit to Gawthorpe Hall or to find out more visit the National Trust website here or call 01282 771004.

Rufford Old Hall

This fine Tudor building near Ormskirk is the home for stories of romance, wealth and 500 years of Hesketh family history.

Visitors here can enjoy North Woods, the Walled Garden, North Lawn, Beech Walk Paddock, the Orchard and the Squirrel Border.

The Orchard has a fascinating past.

The first recording of an orchard at Rufford is from 1779, when the hall was leased to a gardener called Thomas Lowe for 21 years at an annual rent of £22 and 16 shillings.

Today, Rufford's orchard contains a varieties of apple and pear trees, including Keswick Codlin, Duke of Devenshire, Lemon Pippin and Bramleys Seedling to name a few. It's the perfect place to roll out a picnic and enjoy some peace and quiet.

And there's plenty of things to do with the kids at Rufford Old Hall this summer.

Take part in sports activities, grab a free balance bike, set your imaginations free inside the house or simply explore nature as a family.

See more and book a visit to Rufford Old Hall here.

Heysham Coast

Beautiful sandstone headland renowned for its eighth-century chapel and rock hewn graves; a wonderful urban green space.

That's how Heysham Coast is described by the National Trust.

The coast, which has a backdrop of Morecambe Bay, is just a short drive from Lancaster and offers a glimpse into the area's Viking past.

Among the site is St Patrick's Chapel which possibly dates back to the mid-eighth century, or a little later.

The rectangular chapel is constructed of sandstone and measures roughly 7 meters by 2.2 meters.

One of the best architectural features is the curved Anglo-Saxon style doorway.

Local tradition states that St Patrick may well have come ashore here in the fifth century, after being shipwrecked off the coast, and subsequently established a small chapel.

Around St Patrick's Chapel are the remains of eight rock-cut graves hewn from the headland, several of which are body shaped and have rock-cut sockets, possibly for wooden crosses.

It is thought that the graves were created around the eleventh century and were used for burying very high-status individuals.

From sea crossings to shipwrecks and Saints to sands, there's plenty to explore here.

Sizergh is a medieval house with rich gardens and an estate and can be found near Kendal, in Cumbria.

Although situated in Cumbria, the National Trust estate is just a short drive away from Lancashire.

The site contains a Garde I listed castle and Tudor house, with the earliest part of the building dating back to the 14th century.

Visitors can explore the house, which is open Thursday to Sunday (12-4pm), the gardens and head out on nearby walks including the Park End Moss wetland and Sizergh's wildlife walk.

There is acres of woodland to explore as well as enjoying a bite to eat at the café near the castle, which is open seven days a week from 10am.

To book a visit to Sizergh or to find out more visit the National Trust website here .

Dalton Castle

Slightly further a field, about an hours drive from Lancaster, is Dalton Castle.

The National Trust site in Dalton-in-Furness boasts a 14th century tower which was built to assert the authority of the Abbot of Furness Abbey.

The 14th-century tower known as Dalton Castle was formerly the manorial courthouse of Furness Abbey.

According to the National Trust website, here the abbott exercised his right to hold manorial courts and administer justice within the lordship of Furness, as authorised by the abbey's foundation charter of 1127.

Explore the historic grounds and the vast art collection which is housed there, and includes; a helmet, glove box, paintings and more.

Find our more about Dalton Castle here.

Beatrix Potter fans can visit her 17th century farmhouse.

Hill Top is Beatrix Potter's 17th-century farmhouse: a time-capsule of her life and can be found in Ambleside, Cumbria.

Just over an hour away from Lancashire, the site gives a glimpse into Beatrix Potter's life.

Visitors can explore the famous garden, just like in the books, and meet the man who cares for one of the most famous vegetable gardens in the world, Pete Tasker.

The house boasts collections from the Beatrix Potter Gallery, all aiming to keep the legacy of the author alive.

There's also a café at Hill Top and walks nearby too - including a native woodland to explore which was planted at one of Beatrix Potter's favourite places.

To book a visit at Hill Top visit the National Trust website here or you can call 015394 36269.

Wray Castle

Wray Castle is a Gothic Revival castle sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere.

The castle has turrets and towers and is housed informal grounds in Ambleside, Cumbria.

It's between an hour or two hour drive from Lancashire, depending upon which part of the county you're leaving from.

Created in the 1840s by an heiress and a dentist, the Wray Castle estate includes an impressive Gatehouse, a jetty and several boathouses.

And there’s plenty of outdoor fun for all the family this summer at Wray Castle - see a full list of activities here.

Keld Chapel

If you're looking to get away from the county then you could drive to Keld Chapel.

Located in Shap, Cumbria, the remote medieval chapel is one of a kind.

This picturesque and rustic stone chapel is thought to have been the chantry for Shap Abbey originally.

It was built around the sixteenth-century and has been used as a cottage and meeting house during its long history.

The key to open the chapel door is hanging by the front door of the house opposite.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District, Townend is an atmospheric farmhouse full of quirky objects and fascinating stories.

The National Trust site can be found in Windermere, Cumbria and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The 17th century house features a library, made up of around 1,500 books which cover many diverse topics.

It was the home of the Browne family, local farmers, for 400 years before it was donated to the Trust in 1948.

Visitors can also find exhibitions housed there and learn more about the Browne family.

Book a trip there by visiting the website here.

Eskdale and Duddon Valley

Eskdale and Duddon Valley is popular among walkers.

The site is a descent from high mountains down to beautiful beaches on Cumbria's western coast.

Walkers can wander along one of the memorable riverside walks with their intimate scenic combination of crags, woods and waterfalls.

A favourite lower level walk is the Eskdale trail which follows the river from St Catherine’s Church where you can cross the river on stepping stones.

On a warm day visitors can cool off in one of the many rock pools.

To find out more about the walking site and the activities available visit the website here.

A little south from Lancashire is Formby in Merseyside.

The coastal site is a nature haven for wildlife and people, with dramatic sand dunes, surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewood.

With hundreds of acres of woodland and a sandy beach that stretches for miles, Formby is the perfect place to walk your dog whatever the time of year.

Many visitors also bring their horse for a walk here.

To find out more about what to do in the area visit the National Trust website here.

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Have you got news for us? Contact our newsdesk on [email protected] .

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Discover the wonder of Cumbria's sacred heritage.

Cumbria has a history of invasion and settlement; the Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings, Normans and Border Rievers have each left their story in it's church buildings.

Characteristically small and simple, yet not without beauty and grace, they reflect a rural landscape formed of lakes, mountains, coastline and border frontiers. Georgian century prosperity, Victorian engineering and romanticism contributed to the county known as the land of lakes and fells, Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Explore the best of Cumbria's church heritage. 

Here are a just few to whet your appetite, visit our map to find many more.

St Cuthbert, Bewcastle

Early Celtic Christians believed there were physical locations where the natural world and the spiritual world touch, Bewcastle has a wild and untamed feel and an enigmatic history of faith.

All Saints, Boltongate

On the edge of the Lake District with views across to Skiddaw, the outwardly perpendicular All Saints belies what Pevsner describes as ‘one of the architectural sensations of Cumbria’.

St Michael, Burgh by Sands

In an area of outstanding natural beauty, this impressive fortified church is one of three Solway churches built from the stones of Hadrian's Wall and where Edward I laid in state.

Cartmel Priory

Cartmel has been described as a medieval jewel, making a lasting impression overshadowing the village and giving an idea of the way early priories must have dominated their surroundings.

St Anthony, Cartmel Fell

Perhaps protected from Cromwell by its remoteness and from the Victorians by lack of funds for improvements, St Anthony's, hidden in the fell side, remains much the same as when it was built in 1504.

St Oswald, Grasmere

Well known because of its associations with the great Romantic poet William Wordsworth, who lived in nearby Dove Cottage and is buried in the churchyard, every year Grasmere celebrates the ancient custom of rushbearing.

St Cuthbert, Great Salkeld

Norman beasts and human faces greet you as you enter one of Cumbria's three churches with a fortified pele tower, once a place of refuge from marauding border raiders.

St Michael & All Angels, Hawkshead

Built by eye rather than from a plan, standing long and low, Wordsworth's once 'snow white church upon a hill', this is one of the best Lake District churches.

Cautley Chapel, Sedbergh

Located in the western dales, the now tranquil area once echoed with the noise of the 19th century growth of the railways it is one of many Methodist chapels that provided welfare and spiritual help to the rail workers.

Discover more from us

Hadrian’s wall.

The Tyne Valley is known for its fine concentration of early churches, many built with stones recycled from the wall, arguably the best surviving concentration north of the Alps!

Mountain churches

Ten of our favourite mountain churches. Sheltered in hidden valleys underneath our highest mountains, offering places of comfort after a day exploring the surrounding fells.

National Parks

From the rugged wilds of the Cairngorms in Scotland and the ancient woodlands of the New Forest in southern England to the golden shores of the Pembrokeshire Coast in Wales, all of our National Parks are truly special places.

The trust aims to support and encourage sustainable use of churches to help keep these unique buildings and communities alive.

https://www.ctfc.org.uk/explore-churches/

Visit the Lake District, the place to be for stunning landscapes with lakes, mountains, coastline, historic places to visit and attractions.

https://www.golakes.co.uk/explore/churches-in-cumbria.aspx

Places to visit in Cumbria.

https://www.visitengland.com/things-to-do/cumbria

Getting here

Cumbria is easy to get to by car, most visitors will travel along the M6 motorway which runs to the east of the Lake District National Park. 

The West Coast mainline runs to the east of the Lake District, connecting Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow. A direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. There are local routes and the Cumbrian coastline.

The nearest airports are Manchester to the south and Glasgow to the north.

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Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico's first female president

Claudia Sheinbaum, a Nobel Prize-winning climate scientist, will become Mexico's first female president after winning a landslide election victory and promising to continue the work of her mentor and outgoing leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.