Cumbria
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Cumbria from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Cumbria's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry. Skip this section and go to place by numbers
The English Lake District
Lakes
The English Lake District is recognised as a landscape of extraordinary harmonious beauty and inspiration, its natural features enhanced with man-made activity - traditional hill farming,...
Coombe Gill Mill
Borrowdale
Water-powered cornmill, early C18 with possible earlier origins, and an attached corn drying kiln and store, probably C18.
Brampton Old Church Roman fort and the medieval Church of…
Brampton
Hadrian's Wall marked a key Roman frontier, central to military operations.
Corby Castle
Wetheral
Corby Castle's pleasure grounds were developed between 1709-39 by Thomas Howard, featuring structures and grottos.
Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle, associated cursu…
Hunsonby
Long Meg and Her Daughters is a large stone circle with prehistoric rock art and associated monuments, reflecting religious significance from Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age.
The Abbey Tavern
Barrow
The Abbey Tavern is a 19th-century public house in Barrow-in-Furness, originally part of a larger hotel serving the Furness Railway, linked to Sir Thomas Preston's 17th-century house.
The Howk Bobbin Mill
Caldbeck
An L-shaped, two-storey mill house with associated buildings and features including a coppice barn, a drying kiln, a privy, offices/stable, retaining walls, tracks and part of the water...
Castlerigg stone circle and two bowl barrows
St. John's Castlerigg and Wythburn
Castlerigg is one of England's finest large irregular stone circles, reflecting prehistoric ritual significance, rare examples of social gatherings, and calendar function from Late Neolithic...
Mireside Farmhouse and bank barn
Crosthwaite and Lyth
Farmhouse, late C17 with C18 alterations, and bank barn of later C18 or early-C19 date.
Old Carlisle (Olerica) fort and civil settlement
Westward
Old Carlisle Roman fort reveals early urban development and Roman military strategy, highlighting its significance in the Romanisation of northern Britain.
Bewcastle Roman fort, high cross shaft in St Cuthbert's c…
Bewcastle
Bewcastle includes a Roman fort significant for its rare non-rectangular shape, an eighth-century high cross of notable artistry, and a medieval shell keep castle acting as a defense focus.
Lead mines, ore works and smeltmill at Nenthead
Alston Moor
The Nenthead mining complex in the North Pennines preserves extensive features from the 18th and 19th centuries, crucial for studying mining technology advancements.
Goldscope copper and lead mines and remains of associated…
Above Derwent
Goldscope mines in Cumbria are significant for their medieval origins and post-medieval mining influenced by German technology through the Mines Royal Company.
Low Borrowbridge Roman fort
Tebay
The Low Borrowbridge Roman fort and settlement are well-preserved, offering insights into military and civilian life during Roman Britain, with significant archaeological deposits revealed...
Burrow Walls Roman fort
Workington
The Burrow Walls Roman fort and medieval hall demonstrate Roman military strategy and medieval architecture, showcasing insights into Romano-British and medieval period fortifications.
Dallam Tower
Beetham
Dallam Tower, a Grade I listed building, features early 18th-century origins with landscaped gardens and a deer park, reflecting historical development since the medieval period.
Carrock Fell tungsten, lead, copper, and arsenic mines an…
Mungrisdale
Carrock Fell mine in Cumbria reflects an important phase in tungsten, lead, copper, and arsenic mining, with significant 20th-century surface features highlighting mining history.
Furness Abbey Savignac and Cistercian monasteries: precin…
Barrow
Furness Abbey, founded by Stephen in 1124, evolved from a Savignac to a wealthy Cistercian monastery by the 16th century, showcasing significant architectural and historical remains.
Levens Hall
Levens
Levens Hall's park and gardens, designed by Guillaume Beaumont from 1689 to 1712, retain their original layout, showcasing historical and cultural significance over architectural details.
Collinfield Farmhouse and two bank barns
Cartmel Fell
Farmhouse, C17 with C18 addition and two bank barns of late C18 or early-C19 date.
Two rifle ranges on Silver How
Lakes
The remains of two mid-C19 military rifle ranges (300 yards and 800 yards) oriented north-west to south-east, situated above Grasmere on the lower slopes of Silver How adjacent to the public...
Prehistoric hut circle settlements, enclosure, cairnfield…
Kirkby Ireleth
The prehistoric landscape on Heathwaite Fell showcases extensive Bronze Age and medieval activity, with well-preserved settlements, field systems, cairnfields, and kilns enhancing our...
Birdoswald Roman fort and the section of Hadrian's Wall a…
Waterhead
Hadrian's Wall, marking a Roman Empire frontier, remains a World Heritage Site.
Sizergh Castle
Helsington
Sizergh Castle, a former pele tower dating back to the 14th century, features historical gardens developed by T Hayes & Son in 1926. Owned by the National Trust since 1950.
Lowwood gunpowder works
Haverthwaite
Lowwood gunpowder works is key for its representation of 19th-century manufacturing technology.
Maryport (Alavna) Roman fort, part of the Roman frontier …
Maryport
Maryport (Alavna) Roman fort, part of the Roman frontier defences, showcases significant Roman military and civilian structures that once supported Hadrian’s Wall on the Cumbrian coast.
Christ Church
Maryport
Anglican church, 1872 to designs of Charles Eaglesfield. Early English style.
The Langdale Boulders, two prehistoric rock art sites in …
Lakes
The Langdale Boulders, located in Great Langdale, are notable prehistoric rock art sites.
Castle Hill motte and site of a World War II gun emplacement
Maryport
Castle Hill motte is a Norman motte castle with a World War II gun emplacement, highlighting its historical significance for Norman conquest and wartime defense.
County Offices
Kendal
Council offices 1937-9 to the designs of Verner O. Rees for Westmorland County Council.
Brough Castle and Brough (Verteris) Roman fort and civil …
Brough
The upstanding and buried remains of Brough (Verteris) Roman fort and its associated civilian settlement, Brough medieval castle and a forework and a series of linear earthorks associated...
Workington Hall
Workington
Workington Hall is an ancestral home of the Curwen family, with a landscape park laid out by Thomas White in the 1780s, now managed by Allerdale Borough Council.
Roman milestone near Middleton vicarage
Middleton
The Roman milestone near Abba Farm is a well-preserved example, highlighting the historical importance of Roman roads in England, both militarily and economically.
Palisaded hilltop enclosure, a slight univallate hillfort…
Urswick
The palisaded hilltop enclosure at Skelmore Heads, initially modified into a slight univallate hillfort, holds national importance for insights into Bronze Age and Iron Age communities.
Holker Hall
Lower Holker
Holker Hall's gardens, influenced by Joseph Paxton and Thomas Mawson, feature mature trees, formal areas, and a kitchen garden, with a park supporting a fallow deer herd.
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Search for more listed places in CumbriaCumbria through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Cumbria changes over time. Skip this section and go to aerial photos
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Prehistoric Before AD 43
Prehistory covers a million years of human occupation before the Roman invasion, from hunter-gatherers of several human species, including Neanderthals, to more recent herders and farmers. It was a time of developing technologies and belief systems, involving contact with and migration from Europe, all reflected in the variety of artefact and monument types characteristic of particular prehistoric periods.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Cumbria
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground. Skip this section and go to archive images
Kendal
Kendal Castle, Kendal, 1929
Kendal
Kendal Castle, Kendal, 1952
Denton Holme
Holme Head Works, Denton Holme, 1925
Denton Holme
Holme Head Works and environs, Denton Holme, 1948
Barrow-In-Furness
Schneider Square, Barrow-in-Furness, 1920
Barrow-In-Furness
The town centre, Barrow-In-Furness, 1925
Warcop
Eden Gate, Warcop, 1951
Warcop
Eden Gate, Warcop, 1951
High Wray
Countryside between Windermere and Esthwaite Water, High Wray, 1952
Low Wray
Wray Castle alongside Windermere, Low Wray, 1953
Cumbria in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Cumbria's past. Skip this section and go to stories about heritage
Charles George Harper Collection
Copeland, Cumbria
Date created: 1892 - 1933
Muncaster Castle, seen from the south-west
Eileen ‘Dusty’ Deste Collection
Abbot Hall Park, South Lakeland, Cumbria
Date created: 1965 - 1968
The stable block and carriage entrance (now the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry) viewed from Abbot Hall
Eric de Mare
Ambleside, South Lakeland, Cumbria
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of stepping stones in Ambleside.
John Gay Collection: Rural Life
Cumbria
Date created: 22 DEC 1953 - 07 JAN 1954
A farmyard scene showing a hen and rooster feeding on the lawn in front of a farmhouse and farmyard in the Cumbrian fells.
John Gay Collection: Miscellaneous
Cumbria
Date created: 01 JAN 1958 - 31 DEC 1958
A close-up shot of sunlight streaming through raindrops clinging to the fronds of a fern-like plant, with woodland in the background
John Gay Collection: Counties
Borrowdale, Cumbria
Date created: 1958
View of a shallow stream flowing over rocks at an unidentified location in Borrowdale, Cumbria, looking upstream and on towards misty fells in the...
John Laing Collection
Copeland, Cumbria
Date created: 13 Mar 1951
A view along the exterior of the classroom wing at Seascale School
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria
Date created: 20 Sep 1892
The interior of the roofless Chapter House at Furness Abbey
Alfred Newton and Sons
Cumbria
Date created: 1896 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING MOUNTAINSIDE AND VALLEY
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Cumbria
Date created: 1920 - 1940
EXTERIOR VIEW OF UNIDENTIFIED LAKELAND FARM / TEA ROOMS
John Laing Collection
Lowgill, South Lakeland, Cumbria
Date created: 28 Mar 1968
A lorry collecting concrete at a batching plant during the construction of the M6 through the Lune Gorge
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Cumbria. Skip this section and go to education
Fantastical 16th-century Wall Paintings Revealed in Cumbrian Tudor Hunting Lodge
Mentions The Ashes, Agricultural ranges, boundary walls and cobbled yard at The Ashes, Cumbria
The rare and unusual Grotesque style paintings feature fantastical beasts and foliage arranged in decorative panels.
The 12 Pubs of Christmas
Mentions St Nicholas Arms Public House
Explore the hidden histories of listed pubs with a festive theme.
A Brief Introduction to Arts and Crafts Architecture
Mentions Gardens at Graythwaite Hall
Emerging in reaction to the 19th century Industrial Revolution, the Arts and Crafts movement embraced local materials and traditional craftsmanship.
Beyond Stonehenge: Where To Find Lesser-Known Prehistoric Sites in England
Mentions Long Meg and Her Daughters stone circle, associated cursus and prehistoric enclosure
Explore England's ancient sites beyond Stonehenge, such as the Rudston Monolith and Uley Long Barrow, to discover the history of prehistoric...
What Happened After the End of Roman Rule in Britain?
After the fall of the Roman Empire in Britain around AD 410, many towns declined, industries ceased, and the Roman army left England's shores.
The Legend of King Arthur
King Arthur was central to the legendary tales of medieval romance. Discover the places connected to Camelot, Tintagel, and the Battle of Badon Hill.
The History of England’s Village Greens
Mentions Pump Near East End
The origins of village greens in England date back to the early Middle Ages. Village greens are open spaces that can be registered.
16 Historic Gardens and Landscapes to Visit
Mentions Levens Hall
Try these English gardens if you’re looking for somewhere with spectacular garden scenery.
16 Stories of African Lives in Northern England
Mentions Burgh by Sands Roman fort, Beaumont camp, Burgh Castle and Hadrian's Wall from boundary west of churchyard, Beaumont to Burgh Head in wall miles 70 and 71, Church of St Michael, Citadel Station
Discover the often untold stories of brilliant and resilient people of African heritage.
Narrative Structures: England’s Literary History in 11 Places
Mentions Dove Cottage at Town End
Discover the historic sites in England where famous writers found their inspiration.
5 Facts About the Vikings in England
Mentions The Giant's Grave - Two Anglian cross-shafts and four hogback stones in St Andrew's churchyard, Penrith, High cross in St Mary's churchyard
A quick introduction to the Viking Age in England.
Traces of the Vikings in England
Mentions High cross in St Mary's churchyard
Explore the archaeological traces and standing remains that tell us about Viking life and and culture in England.
Women Architects Who Helped Shape England
Mentions Church of St Michael, Church of St Mary, Brackenfell
Women have always influenced domestic design but it wasn’t until 1898 that the first female architect was admitted to the Royal Institute of British...
Historic England Advice Helping to Preserve Rural Heritage for the Future
Mentions Limekiln Approximately 150 Metres West of Whitebeck
The Countryside Stewardship Heritage Service is supporting sustainable land management to protect our shared heritage for future generations.
Historic England's Science Facility Reopens After Major Refit
Mentions Cumbria
Historic England’s flagship science facility at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth reopens after year-long refit, marking 75 years of specialist work.
Fantastical 16th-century Wall Paintings Revealed in Cumbrian Tudor Hunting Lodge
Mentions The Ashes, Agricultural ranges, boundary walls and cobbled yard at The Ashes, Cumbria
The rare and unusual Grotesque style paintings feature fantastical beasts and foliage arranged in decorative panels.
Research Reports Roundup February 2025
Mentions Cumbria
A roundup of the latest additions to our research reports database from October 2024 to February 2025, arranged by theme.
Archaeological Sensitivity Mapping
Mentions Cumbria
Developing a methodology for understanding where future significant archaeological discoveries may be made.
Managing Lithic Sites
Mentions Cumbria
New advice addresses research and management issues for sites where prehistoric stone tools contain unique evidence.
Managing Lithic Sites
Mentions Cumbria
New advice addresses research and management issues for sites where prehistoric stone tools contain unique evidence.
The Military Town and Bathhouse of Birdoswald Fort on Hadrian’s Wall
Mentions Birdoswald Roman fort and the section of Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the River Irthing and the field boundaries east of milecastle 50, Cumbria
Recent excavation has provided important new understanding of the extramural settlement outside the fort.
The Military Town and Bathhouse of Birdoswald Fort on Hadrian’s Wall
Mentions Birdoswald Roman fort and the section of Hadrian's Wall and vallum between the River Irthing and the field boundaries east of milecastle 50, Cumbria
Recent excavation has provided important new understanding of the extramural settlement outside the fort.
Kirkham: Forging a Heritage Programme as a Bridge to Wellbeing
Mentions Cumbria
Supporting wellbeing and cohesion in a Lancashire community through a social prescribing programme based on interacting with heritage.
Outreach to Ownership: a Community-focused Research Pilot
Mentions Cumbria
Public heritage bodies in England and Scotland working in partnership to empower community-led research in the cultural sector.
Cumbria's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area. Skip this section and go to grant-aided places
Yanwath Hall Cumbria
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
This hall house has one big room with a parlour at one end which was used by the lord and his family.The large windows that let light into the parlour...
Workmen from John Laing plc sitting on a stone wall in Eden, Cumbria
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
These workmen were building part of the M6 Motorway between Killington and Tebay, in Cumbria.
Workmen from John Laing plc sitting on a stone wall in Eden, Cumbria
Workington Dock, Workington, Cumbria
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A view of 'Florence' a steamer from Maryport moored at the quay at low tide.
Workington Dock, Workington, Cumbria
Workington Brewery, Ladies Walk, Workington
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The brewery tower and maltings date from the mid 19th century. The brewery building is an important landscape feature on a hill overlooking the river.
Workington Brewery, Ladies Walk, Workington
Workington Brewery, Ladies Walk, Workington, Cumbria
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The Workington Brewery company was founded by John Curwen in 1792.
Workington Brewery, Ladies Walk, Workington, Cumbria
Workers' Institute, Holme Head Works, Carlisle, Cumbria
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The reading room and coffee tavern built in 1881 by George Dale Oliver at the corner of North Street and Bridge Terrace for the workers at the Holme...
Workers' Institute, Holme Head Works, Carlisle, Cumbria
Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Period: Georgian (1714 - 1836)
William Wordsworth was born in this house in 1770. Pevsner describes Wordsworth House as 'quite a swagger house for such a town'.
Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria
Willowford Bridge, Hadrian's Wall, Waterhead, Cumbria
Period: Roman (43 - 409)
Reconstruction drawing of Willowford Bridge.
Willowford Bridge, Hadrian's Wall, Waterhead, Cumbria
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary. Skip this section and go to related locations
Duddon Iron Furnace, Millom Without, Cumbria
Constructed in 1736, this charcoal-fired iron furnace is the oldest of its kind in northern England.
Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria
Lowther Castle was constructed between 1806-1814 by Sir Robert Smirke for the 1st Earl of Lonsdale.
The Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby in Westmorland, Cumbria
This Grade II*-listed moot hall is thought to be one of the earliest purpose-built moot halls in England.
Discover more
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