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Your guide to English Heritage Properties in
the English Lake District
English Heritage is a government funded
organization which exists to protect historic buildings and structures and
promote greater understanding of England's history, historic buildings and
landscape. It has many of the most spectacular buildings in England under
its care.
If you join English Heritage you can
enjoy the benefits of membership immediately, including special admission
prices to over 400 historic sites, free entry for accompanied children
under 19, and a free handbook, quarterly magazine and free or reduced
price admission to special events. You can join by visiting
www.english-heritage.org.uk
or phoning 0870 333 1181.
There are many more free properties
around the Lakes, but some of the most impressive are listed below.
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Carlisle Castle
Founded in 1092, the castle served as a stronghold in the wars
between the Scottish and English (the Scottish border ran just above
Carlisle in centuries gone by). You can see the medieval chambers,
stairways and dungeons on a guided tour or wander around the
grounds. Both Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie had a
part in the history of the castle. Signposted from the city centre.
Open all year. Phone: 01228 591922 for more details. |
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Furness Abbey
One of the richest Cistercian
monasteries in England, Furness Abbey is an impressive place even
today. There's an excellent English Heritage audio guide tour, which
I highly recommend, and a wonderful museum to put it all into
context. 1.5 miles north of Barrow of the A590. Open all year.
Phone: 01229 823420 for more details. |
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Hadrian's Wall
I find it amazing to think of the Romans in Britain building
this defensive barrier from one side of the country to the other.
Some of the forts are especially impressive, and English Heritage
have wonderful interpretation museums and events at the main
visitor centres that always give you a sense of the place and time. Phone: 01434 322002 for more details of
opening hours and events. |
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Lanercost Priory
This was the place where Edward 1 rested during his last campaign.
It's a magnificent 13th century Augustinian monastery; the nave is
especially impressive and gives a true sense of the magnificent
grandeur of the Priory as it must have been in its heyday. Open
April to October. Phone for more information: 01697 73030. |
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Stott Park Bobbin Mill
Now this is an attraction I especially like. I grew up near the
mill, and remember wandering around it as a child. It stood empty
but intact for many years, and now, thanks to the wonderful
restoration by English Heritage, it has been restored to a fully
working bobbin mill with the original equipment. Fascinating and
entertaining, and especially good on the history of the workers. Phone for more details: 01539 531087 Open
April to October. |
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Hardknott Roman Fort
An astonishing place to find a Roman Fort. Inspiring, beautiful, and
evocative; even though not much remains of the fort itself you can
get a good sense of how life must have been here thanks to the
tireless efforts of English Heritage. Free, and open all year. |
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