Historic Houses in the Lake District

Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal, now transformed into a combination museum and art gallery. The art gallery is one of the best in Britain, with works by Romney, Ruskin, Turner, and Constable. Also at Abbot Hall is the Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry. Well worth a visit.
Historic House: Abbot Hall is a lovely Georgian manor situated in the shadow of Kendal Castle beside the River Kent in the village of Kendal. more...
Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA9 5AL

Attraction Type: Museum
Location: off A591
Website: Abbot Hall
Email: info@abbothall.org.uk
Phone: 01539 722 464
Fax: 01539 722 494
Location map
OS Grid SD517 922
Photo Credit: Abbot Hall
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The smooth Georgian front belies the medieval heritage of Dalemain, home to the same family since 1679. The house is built around an inner courtyard, and the interior rooms are a charming mixture of formal Georgian rococo and paneled Elizabethan. Take a break in the medieval hall, now the tea room.
Garden: Himalayan poppies mark the beginning of summer at Dalemain, but there is plenty to see year-round in these 5 acres of plantsmans gardens. 1680s Terrace walk, 100 old-fashioned roses, named varieties of ancient apples, Tudor Knot garden, wild garden. Largest Abies cephalonica (silver fir) in Britain. more...
Penrith, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA11 0HB

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 3 miles SW Penrith, on the A592
Website: Dalemain
Email: admin@dalemain.com
Phone: 017684 86450
Fax: 017684 86223
Location map
OS Grid NY477 269
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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The home of Lord and Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall dates to the early 16th century. The house is set in lovely parkland overlooking Morecambe Bay. The interiors are largely Victorian, with some lovely period furniture as well as some earlier Tudor and Jacobean pieces.
Garden: 200 year old parkland, offering woodland walks, and formal gardens. Specimens are well labeled. Here you will find rose gardens, azaleas, rhododendron, and spring bulbs. more...
Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria, England, LA11 7PL

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 4 m W Grange-over-Sands, on B5278
Website: Holker Hall
Email: info@holker.co.uk
Phone: 01539 558 328
Fax: 01539 558 378
Location map
OS Grid SD359 773
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A lovely historic house in a quiet north Cumbrian village, Hutton-in-the-Forest boasts a Stuart limsetone facade, which is dwarfed by two towers, one a surviving pele tower from the 14th century, the other a false Gothic giant constructed in the 19th century. The interior is a mix of Regency and Vicorian rooms, including original William Moris wallpaper. The same family has been here since 1605.
Garden: The grounds of Hutton-in-the-Forest contain a classical array of terraces, topiary, walled garden, and dovecote. Fine specimen trees make a woodland stroll a pleasure. more...
Penrith, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA11 9TH

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 6 m NW Penrith, on B5305
Website: Hutton-in-the-Forest
Email: info@hutton-in-the-forest.co.uk
Phone: 017684 84449
Fax: 017684 84571
Location map
OS Grid NY460 358
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Gabled Elizabethan house on medieval foundations, set in topiary gardens. A comfortable home, not just a show-piece, with warm, panelled rooms. If you simply must see Beau Brummel's snuff box, this is the place to come.
Garden: Topiary garden designed by Guillaume Beaumont, gardener to James II, in 1692. Clipped yew and box hedges. Parkland vistas and the earliest ha-ha. Herb garden, summer bedding plants and borders. Best in: summer. more...
Kendal, Cumbria, England, LA8 0PD

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 5 m S Kendal, on A6
Website: Levens Hall
Email: houseopening@levenshall.co.uk
Phone: 01539 560 321
Fax: 01539 560 669
Location map
OS Grid SD495 851
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Part family home, part literary museum. The family of Spedding were friends with Tennyson, Wordsworth and Carlyle, among others, and this pleasant but unremarkable Georgian house is full of literary memorabilia. more...
Keswick, Lake District, Cumbria, England, CA12 4QE

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 4 miles N Keswick, on the A591
Website: Mirehouse
Email: info@mirehouse.com
Phone: 017687 72287
Location map
OS Grid NY235 284
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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On the hillside above Lanercost Priory, close to Hadrian's Wall, lies this Tudor house, the seat of the Howard family, Earls of Carlisle. Evidence of early defenses remain, such as the 14th century tower, a testament to the turbulent past of this border region. Furnishings are sparse, as much of the Howard treasure resides at Castle Howard in Yorkshire. The largest great hall in the north (78 ft long) is the house's greatest claim to fame.
Brampton, Cumbria, England, CA8 2HF

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 12 miles E Carlisle, off A69
Website: Naworth
Email: office@naworth.co.uk
Phone: 016977 3229
Location map
OS Grid NY562 624
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Georgian facade fronts extensive medieval and Tudor underpinnings. Interior largely Elizabethan and earlier, with linenfold panelling and 16th century four-poster bed.
Garden: The National Trust's largest limestone rock garden may be found at Sizergh, as may two lakes and a fine show of autumn colour. 1,600-acre estate is crossed by footpaths leading to dramatic viewpoints over the bay and fells. more...
Sizergh, Kendal, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA8 8AE

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 3 m SW Kendal, off A590 and A591
Website: Sizergh Castle
Email: sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 015395 60951
National Trust
Location map
OS Grid SD498 878
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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A lovely 16th century manor on the outskirts of Ulverston that is famous for its association with George Fox and the founding of Quakerism. Furnished with period furniture and objects associated with the life of Fox and early Quakerism. A very friendly, welcoming historic manor. Opening times may be limited so please check first. more...
Ulverston, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA12 0JQ

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: Signposted off the A590 in the centre of Ulverston. free parking.
Website: Swarthmoor Hall
Email: info@swarthmoorhall.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1229 583 204
Location map
OS Grid SD281772
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
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Unpretentious Tudor house, home of the Browne family for four centuries. Not a showpiece, but an honest family home. The furnishings are unremarkable, but appealing. Don't miss the servant's bedrooms tucked above the kitchen. more...
Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, England, LA23 1LB

Attraction Type: Historic House
Location: 5 m SE Ambleside, off A592
Website: Townend
Email: townend@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 015394 32628
Fax: 015394 32628
National Trust
Location map
OS Grid NY407 020
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