Lake District Travel Guide - Historic Churches

The church of St Lawrence stands at the bottom of Boroughgate in the heart of the old market town of Appleby. The church dates in part to the 12th century, though with remodelling from practically every century since then! The church is built of local red sandstone, and is composed of a south porch, west tower, nave, north and south aisles, two chapels, and a chancel. The base of the tower is the oldest part, dating to the 12th century.
Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Eden Valley, Cumbria, England, CA16 6QN

Attraction Type: Church
Location: Located at the bottom of Boroughgate, with access through the 19th century cloisters. There is lots of parking on Boroughgate, where a free parking disc scheme is in operation.
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Photos of Appleby, St Lawrence Church
OS Grid NY683204
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Set on a rise over the River Eden in a lovely village, All Saints is a gem of an historic church, containing intruiging features. The first of these can be seen to the left of the south porch as you approach down the entrance an evenue of clipped yew trees. A fascinating effigy of a woman is set into the exterior wall. The carving, and the detail of the woman's garments, suggest a date of sometime between 1200 and 1400. As her head is lying on a pillow, it suggests that the effigy was intended to be prone, and may have come from an early coffin lid.
Bolton, Cumbria, England

Attraction Type: Church
Location: Almost opposite the pub, to the east of the village crossroads. Parking on the verge.
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Photos of Bolton, All Saints Church
OS Grid NY639233
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The Priory Church of St Mary and St Michael incorporates the south aisle of the orginal church of the 1189 Augustinian Priory. Its long history leaves its legacy in the richness of architectural styles, from Transitional Norman through Decorated and Perpendicular. The priory church was one of the few to survive the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a distinction it owed to Marshall, who stipulated that an altar should be provided within the church for the people of Cartmel. When the rest of the priory was dismantled in 1537, the south aisle of the church was preserved to act as the new parish church. The rest of the church was left to moulder until the 17th century, when George Preston of Holker Hall re-roofed the church and gave it a new screen and canopies for the superb 15th century choir stalls. The Gatehouse of the priory still stands in the square, and is now managed by the National Trust. more...
Cartmel, Cumbria, England, LA11 6QB

Attraction Type: Church
Website: Cartmel Priory Church
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Photos of Cartmel Priory Church
OS Grid SD378787
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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This attractive church of red sandstone is the second largest in Cumbria (after Kendal) and is referred to locally as the Cathedral of the Dales. The first church on this spot was built during the late Saxon period. This was replaced by a Norman church in 1170, and by the current building around 1220.
Kirkby Stephen, Eden Valley, Cumbria, England

Attraction Type: Church
Location: Located directly off the market square. Parking in the square or in th large free parking lot, signposted off the main roads through Kirkby Stephen.
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Photos of Kirkby Stephen Church
OS Grid NY775088
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A fascinating ancient church famous for its statues of four bears, one in each corner of the churchyard. St Andrews is built on the site of a monastery mentioned by The Venerable Bede. In the interior is a Viking grave monument and a cross shaft, and monuments to the Hasell family of Dalemain. A lock on the south door bears the initials of Lady Anne Clifford, countess of Pembroke. more...
Dacre, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA11 0HJ

Attraction Type: Church
Location: On a minor road between the A66 and the A592 5 miles west of Penrith
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Photos of St Andrews, Dacre
OS Grid NY460266
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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A lovely historic church on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. The church is dedicated to the Irish St Bega, who, legend tells us, had a cell here, and was perhaps buried here. The church lies just beside Mirehouse historic house and garden, under the lee of Skiddaw. more...
Bassenthwaite, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA12 4QY

Attraction Type: Church
Location: Easy access from the Dodd Wood parking lot on the A591. Footpath is mostly level.
Location map
OS Grid NY236289
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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A fascinating 12th century church built on the site of older churches dating to the 6th century. Later additions date from the 16th and 19th centuries. The church is dedicated to St Kentigern, who came to this area in the mid 6th century. Poet Robert Southey is buried in the churchyard, and a memorial stands in the church. Also in the churchyard is the grave of Canon Rawnsley, co-founder of the National Trust. The pride of St Kentigern's is a complete set of Tudor consecration crosses. There are examples of stained glass dating back to the 12th century.
Church Lane, Crosthwaite, Lake District, Cumbria, England

Attraction Type: Church
Location: Just off the B5289 on the western outskirts of Keswick
Google map
OS Grid NY 257243
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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