Top Things to do in Cumbria
Top Hotels in Cumbria
- 1. Riverside Hotel
- 2. Applegarth Villa Hotel and Restaurant (Adult Only)
- 3. Ambleside Salutation Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 4. The Keswick Country House Hotel
- 5. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 6. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
- 7. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 8. Damson Dene Hotel
- 9. The Wordsworth Hotel
- 10. Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, BW Premier Collection
10 Castles in Cumbria That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Cumbria, United Kingdom including Castle Crag, Muncaster Castle, Sizergh Castle, Brougham Castle, Lowther Castle and Gardens, Bewcastle Cross & Museum, Penrith Castle, Carlisle Castle, Brough Castle Ice Cream Parlour, Kendal Castle.
Restaurants in Cumbria
1. Castle Crag
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By edm1887 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
An hours walk from our hotel and even in the rain, well worth the effort. Stunning views over Derwent Water - easy to see why AW loved it. Don’t miss the slate quarry with its countless statues. Very eerie!
2. Muncaster Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,581 reviews
The historic and reputedly haunted Castle dating from the medieval age has been home to the Pennington family for over 800 years. It is a treasury of beautiful art and antiques, collected through the ages by the family who still live there. The Castle sits majestically in over 70 acres of wild, woodland gardens famous for collections of rhododendrons and azaleas set against the stunning backdrop of the Lakeland fells including Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. The Hawk & Owl Centre is well worth a visit with daily displays at 2pm and watch the wild herons come in to feed at 4pm. The indoor MeadowVole Maze is an entertaining ecological attraction to entertain the young at heart. Playground, cafe, gift shops and an ancient church are all within the gardens. Regular events programme, including festivals, outdoor theatre, historical re-enactors and Halloween Week.
Reviewed By JimM453 - Kilmarnock, United Kingdom
My wife and i visited Muncaster Castle which was lovely set in lovely gardens and surrounded by beautiful scenery ,we also took in the hawk and owl displays which were great .
3. Sizergh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,404 reviews
Reviewed By Y7972VAmichaelh
Sizergh Castle, the home of the Strickland family since 1239, turned out to be a most memorable day and of tremendous interest. The Hall didn’t open until midday so we spent a good hour wandering through the stunning gardens, thankfully in brilliant warm sunshine. The limestone rock garden was made in 1926 and contained beautiful Japanese maples and ferns of spectacular golden colours (mid-September). The mid-14th-century Solar Tower dominates the south-east front effectively landscaped with stone terraces and steps leading down to the lily pond. The interior contained some wonderful pieces of furniture and stunning bronze figurines. Cecilia Strickland transformed the Hall from 1773 onwards but was stricken with chronic arthritis forcing her to resort to using a wooden chair which had been fitted with wheels in quite a homespun but nonetheless ingenious fashion. This National Trust owned property really was a highlight on our week-long holiday and the restaurant is geared up in a very professional way to serve good meals which was attracting a significant number of visitors. The staff throughout the whole complex were engaging, polite and extremely knowledgeable without being over intrusive. A really great find which could have easily been missed due to the high charges for car parking .... something that seriously needs looking at National Trust! Visitors WILL spend in so many other ways and be quite generous with their giving too, but hitting them hard from the outset is not the way to do it. A property that totally justifies a 5-star rating.
4. Brougham Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By Vikings691
Beautiful riverside location - great Norman Keep and Roman fort nearby - I used to play in nearby river as a kid which was also site of a sadly closed swimming club
5. Lowther Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,220 reviews
Lowther Castle sits on a majestic elevated spot a few miles south of Penrith. Surrounded by acres of woodland and ancient gardens, the ruined castle is a stunning place to visit for families of all sizes and ages. An adventure playground in the woods is amazing for the younger visitor; the gardens are a feast for the imagination; the café offers food for all palates; and the shop sells a range of delightful Lowther and other goodies. Dogs on leads very welcome.
Reviewed By P5649OCemilyd
Lovely gardens, different sections, e.g rose garden (still being developed), Japanese garden etc., gorgeous views from the edge and lots of little interesting things scattered around There is a HUGE children’s play castle at the back which me and my 26 year old boyfriend enjoyed playing on so it’s for the big kids as well :P We ate at the cafe, very nice tasty food, a little bit pricey but typical for similar places. Would visit again
6. Bewcastle Cross & Museum
7. Penrith Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By deanoooo1982 - Manchester, United Kingdom
I think if I’d visited this *just* for the castle, I might be a tad disappointed. But as part of a trip into Penrith, it’s a nice addition. The park next to it is also a great place for kids with open fields and a play park
8. Carlisle Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,285 reviews
Reviewed By negativecamber - Broadway, United Kingdom
Carlisle Castle is such an interesting place to visit and has had such a turbulent history being so close to the Scottish Border. Mary Queen of Scots was kept prisoner there Bonnie Prince Charlie also had connections there and the Borders Reivers raiders who were around from 13th to 17th century. There is also a very interesting museum of Military Life dedicated to the Border Regiment their history right up to today. The museum is an extra cost on top of the castle entrance, but English Heritage members go in free the same as the castle
9. Brough Castle Ice Cream Parlour
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By hewi2016 - Preston, United Kingdom
Dropped in at this ice cream parlour and glad we did. All covid-19 safety measures in place which was reassuring. The lady behind the counter was lovely. We ordered two scones, clotted cream, jam and hot chocolates. The scones were so delicious, they were warm and lovely and soft and the hot Chocolate were divine. This is a little hideaway that we are glad we came across and will certainly return when in the area. Thank you.
10. Kendal Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By A4218PAjackc
If you enjoy a nice walk with something of interest to see then you could do a lot worse than have a gentle amble around Kendal Castle
